How to Spot Fake Zultanite: Real vs. Fake Guide?

09 September, 2025


How to Spot Fake Zultanite: Real vs. Fake Guide?

As you know, Zultanite is a rare gemstone because it is found in only one location, the İlbir Mountains of Turkey, at an altitude of over 4,000 feet. It is known for its ability to shift shades under different lighting, making it a rare gem with immense value. 


For retailers and wholesalers, the market for Zultanite can be risky, and knowing the difference between fake Zultanite vs real Zultanite is crucial. This skill not only saves your investment but also protects the brand’s reputation. 


In this guide, we will walk you through the practical knowledge that can help you identify how to buy genuine Zultanite from a reliable manufacturer in the USA. 

Key Feature of Zultanite: What Makes it a One-of-a-Kind Stone?

Zultanite is a naturally occurring mineral called diaspore and a gem variety with rare qualities like found only in one place on earth (Turkey). This single source of origin makes it authentic. The color changing is the key feature of this gemstone, and color changes solely depending on the light sources, like:


  • Real Zultanite shows shades ranging from sage to kiwi green in daylight.  

  • It changes colors into pink, peach, raspberry red, or purple-pink tones in incandescent/  candlelight.

  • You may even see shades of bronze and champagne in the mixed/indirect light. 


These are the complex color changes that no imitation can replicate with fake Zultanite.

How to Identify Fake Zultanite?

Here’s a straightforward look at how you can confidently spot a fake Zultanite:

Lab-Created Zultanite 

The most common and convincing imitation of Zultanite. It is a synthetic color-change sapphire or garnet that can easily mimic Zultanite’s look. While it does change its shades, the ability is much less than the real Zultanite. You can simply identify it as its color transition ranges between blue to purple shift rather than the complex green to red range of the authentic one.  

Glass and Plastic Zultanite

These types of Zultanites are crafted with cheap materials with no real gemological properties. 

You can find a glass or plastic piece that has a slight color difference under lighting conditions, but it won't have a true, vibrant color change. Such mimics of Zultanite are lighter than the actual one of the same size. These two properties make it easier for you to identify the fake Zultanite. 

Price

The real Zultanite is rare to mine, which also reflects in its pricing. You can expect to pay more dollars ( $400- $1000 per carat) to buy the real and highest quality Zultanite. 


At the same time, if you are seeing lower prices attached to Zultanite, you should be extremely cautious. Fake Zultanite is often offered at lower prices than the real ones. 

Documentation

Reputable Zultanite manufacturers in the USA provide documentation for the real Zultanite. It includes gemstone name (diaspore), origin (Turkey), and any treatments made to it. Also, you can check the reputation of the Zultanite through the certificate issued by the lab. 

In contrast, fake Zultanite providers can also show you certification, but be aware to check as these are fake. For that, you can verify the lab’s reputation or check, as the certification will lack the information, like using terms “Zultanite-like”. 

Inclusions

Real Zultanite has natural inclusions, such as veils or fingerprints, and subtle color zoning. More often, an authentic Zultanite gemstone does not have perfect clarity in the design. 


While in fake Zultanite, you may find bubble inclusions, unnaturally ideal clarity, or dye concentrations in its cracks.  

Fake Zultanite vs Real Zultanite

Criteria

Real Zultanite

Fake Zultanite

Color Change

Vibrant, ranging from green to red color (including yellowish)

Simple colors, no true color changes 

Material

Diaspore from the single origin on earth

Synthetic materials such as stone, glass, or plastic

Price

High value (often starting at $400 per carat)

Offering lower prices to trick consumers

Inclusions

Natural inclusions (veils and fingerprints)

Seems too flawless, perfectly designed, or has a bubble

Documentation (Certificate)

Specific lab tested with gemstone origin and name

Fake certification with terms using “Zultanite-like”.

Some Practical Tests to Identify Real vs Zultanite: Critical for Your Business

As a retailer or wholesaler, you should not rely only on guesswork. You can apply these practical tests to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine manufacturer in the USA or not. 

Test 1: The light test 

You can place the stone under different light sources, as we described above, as well as how the Real Zultanite changes colors. A real Zultanite will display the clear color transitions from a rich green to red. Otherwise, you will likely notice a less defined or flat/no color change. This is your primary tool to identify the difference between a real and fake gemstone.  

Test 2: The loupe test

Your/manufacturer's loupe can be your second essential tool to determine the identity of Zultanite. Under the magnification, you can look for the characteristic inclusions we have mentioned (veils of fingerprints) or natural flaws. If you found the same, then it is a real gemstone. 

In contrast, if you found the gemstone (Zultanite) too perfect, flawless, or with tiny gas bubbles, then it is fake Zultanite from the manufacturing process. 

Test 3: Scratch test

If possible, you can perform a scratch test to be more confident. Zultanite has a hardness range from 6.5- 7on the Mohs scale. It means it can scratch glass, so you can easily identify the real vs fake Zultanite difference from the scratch test, as in the imitations, manufacturing can not craft the same hardness. 

Bonus tip

You can request a video proof of the stone color changing under different lighting conditions if you are buying online. This will make your online purchasing from a reliable retailer. 

JewelPin: Your Trusted Source for Rare Zultanite

The authenticity of your jewelry collection reflects your brand’s integrity. Having a range of real gemstones makes you confidently speak about rare and valuable stones like Zultanite. This also builds a level of trust in consumers and sets your business apart from other ones that sell fake gemstones. 

At JewelPin, our commitment to transparency and authenticity is the key that showcases what we are. We ensure that all retailers that our gemstone ranges are sourced ethically, and the lab certifications complement them. 


You can partner with a Zultanite manufacturer like us to provide your customers with truly original products that stand for high quality and trust.

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