Sigh, yes, fake ajoite… again.
Let’s get pronunciation out of the way first, for the love of all things cannoli…
FIRST COMMENT LEFT on this blog below:
(I love that we get to co-create these blog posts ya know)
You can also listen here to see how it’s properly pronounced. 🙂
The Crux of the Matter
So what we seem to have happened here is that since true-blue Ajoite is soooooo rare and expensive now, we have sellers now calling milky quartz cast-offs with any sort of blue or green mineral in them and calling them “AJOITE”.
(I know I’m going to receive a lot of shit for this but…)
No, sorry. It’s not.
THIS is not ajoite!
And it’s not “Raw Ajoite”… no such thing!
And you know what?
I’m not sorry.
You try to sell that low-grade quartz mass off as “ajoite” amongst the educated rock hounds and mineral collectors at any Gem Show worth it’s salt —
and you’ll get your ass handed to you.
If you want my first blog post on faked ajoite that’s here, but today there’s a bit of a twist on what’s going on. It’s a new trend that I’m seeing over the last six months or so.
I know there are those out there who like to bully me on this very topic and get me to back down… tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about and yeah, that doesn’t feel good. I don’t like confrontation at all.
But you know what I DO like? What I love, in fact???
I love to educate our community on what’s available, what’s trending, pitfalls to watch out for, etc. so we can make really informed decisions when adding specimens to our sacred collections.
The mineral market is continuing to grow and misrepresentations and foolery is growing right along with it. Seems there’s a “gap” in good reliable info on this sort of thing in general.
I get really super-passionate about getting this info out there and I feel I’m in a very unique position to do just that, being a former science department chair, having studied geology at the Master’s level, and being a Crystal Energy Teacher with a pretty large platform gives me a great advantage…
so how could I NOT heed the call?
I’m so honored to be able to serve in this way + grateful for being given the opportunity to do so!
Here’s the deal on Fake Ajoite:
If you are being presented with a milky quartz mass — then it’s most likely some form of chrysocolla on top or within. Some of these fakes are simply low-grade quartz + chrysocolla or light malachite masses or tumbled stones.
Real ajoite crystals are just that, crystal formations with the ajoite blue-turquoise color embedded within (can’t scratch a chunk on the outside) many times forming as aqua-blue phantoms within.
Like this…
Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0 [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
A relatively high quality clear quartz crystal with a turquiose-colored inclusion within. This inclusion most likely is a copper-derived hydrated sodium potassium copper aluminium silicate hydroxide mineral.
And then beyond that, I just need to show some examples of what it IS…
Shopping for my coveted authentic Ajoite!
and what it ISN’T…
NOT Ajoite. And not “Raw Ajoite” either
To really GET what I’m throwing down here, I did a whole interactive Instagram story rant about this with our Crystal Family.
Bunches of examples + quizzes for you are included there so you can LEARN and then test your ajoite-spotting skills. I’ve saved it in the Highlights and call it “Ajoite Rant” for you.
I just really don’t want you missing this. It was the BEST way I knew how to demonstrate what I’m trying to convey. (If you don’t already follow me on Instagram please do @hibiscusmoon)
Some of these sellers may know full well they’re passing off fakes or causing purposeful confusion, but others may have no idea. So, I feel it’s up to our Crystal Family to inform such sellers so they can know in the future and pay it forward by educating their customers. ♥
Use your common sense here. If it’s too good to be true, then yeah, it probably is.
**Please SHARE this info with other Crystal Family so that we all stay in the know and well-informed. No duping us with freakin’ FAKES!!!!**
Yeah, I know. I’m VERY passionate about this. If you feel passionate about this too, please share this post in any way you prefer. (There are some handy-dandy “SHARE” buttons you can use at the bottom).
And if you want to learn more then please download my FREE Crystal Fakes Reference Guide — this resource has grown and grown with more fakes flooding the market and has become an invaluable resource for gem shopping. Just enter your name + best email and this free download will be delivered to your inbox:
Sorry. This download is no longer available.
Signing up for this download will also sub you to my bi-weekly newsletter + my free Sacred Spaces eKit.
If that’s what you wanted, that’s OK!
Now, if you choose to work with or sell these milky quartz/chrysocolla masses then go for it! Please don’t misunderstand me. Nothing wrong with that at all.
But please don’t:
- cause confusion
- try to bully everyone into accepting that this is the NEW AJOITE
- charge falsely inflated prices
- misrepresent
and call it “Ajoite” or “Raw Ajoite”.
I just want us all to have the knowledge first and then you can make an informed decision regarding how you choose to work with or sell these “stones”.
And as always, the moral of the story here is…
Buyer Beware. Who are you buying from? Are they reputable? Do they know what they’re talking about? Are you doing your own homework and research? The best way to protect yourself is through education. 🙂
Do you have any fake-out stories to tell? Please post in the comments below and help us all out!
Bracing myself…
Crystal Blessings,
Very well said, Stephanie! Bravo! And please add that it’s called A-ho white NOT Ahoyt! I hate hearing it. It’s worse than nails on a chalkboard (do they still have those?)!
JMCL, OK… good point!! Here’s another way to show it… “AH- HO- EYE- T”. Or listen to the pronunciation link I provide above. 😉 I’m adding that in credited directly to you. And, no thank goodness… no more chalkboards. 😉
Isn’t it pronounced Ah -ho-ite?
Not white at end?
Explaining how to pronounce it can be tricky so I provided a pronunciation link above. 😉
Thank you! I knew it!!!! You just cleared it up for me. I’ve been on the hunt for a piece ever since I saw yours. They are expensive!!! Still hunting. Lol. Thank you for always keeping our best interest at heart!
I live to serve in this way, Kellee!!! Not kidding. Yes, they are not cheap. If it makes you feel any better though, I see them as a very wise investment… like gold coins. I predict they’ll keep going up in value. As long as it’s the real deal. 😉
Great job on properly saying what should be said and the courage to do so. And yes I hate to admit it but ive been scammed by those “fake” crystals and stones that looks good in the picture and when it gets to me not so much like the pictures. Thank you great job
Awww, thank you, Crystal. Not sure how I say it is “proper” but it’s the only way I know how. Mwaaaaaah!
Absolutely necessary rant.
I have been a magical crystal and mineral shop in England now for 23 years. I have had 1 6cm piece of Ajoite in in all that time along with a few small pieces. It’s rare.
Your blog is absolutely amazing, I often share links to your pages to get reputable information out to my customers to save them from the dross. You save me time having to write a rant too.
Thank you
Keep up the good work.
A pet hate of mine is lack of information on the scale of quality in relationship to price. Too many people compare prices of completely differing qualities to make judgements.
Thank you for the validation, sharing, and support, Anwen. ♥ What’s the name of your shop and /or link to that ajoite? Hmmmm?
I’d love to exchange rants sometime!
Thanks HM for this article. I’ve been wanting to add some ajoite to my collection and this will really help to purchase the right stuff.
Ken, I hope you get the BEST specimen ever!! Please share it with me on IG when you get it. I’d love to see!!!
Wow, thank you so much for sharing this. I have not purchased any ajoite, but a few of the businesses I occasionally buy from are selling these fakes! This says a lot. Even if they didn’t know they had fakes, they should take responsibility to know what they are selling. Words matter, the truth matters. I’m really going to miss your style, knowledge, teaching and all. Please come back one day. Our community needs caring people like you! Love and Crystal Blessings!
Debra, I just which they wouldn’t misrepresent like that to make a quick easy but unethical buck. Yes, I feel sellers have a responsibility to know better too. And I’ll be back someday. I can’t shut up this passion for too long. 😉
Great post! Thank you. It turns out that I do have authentic Ajoite — phew. I discovered years later (after reading your previous Fake Ajoite post) that the very first “Ajoite” I bought turned out to be Chlorite. Wonderful crystal and ebergy but not Ajoite. But my other ones are authentic. Thank you for this post.
Oooo, Deana!! I’d love to see your specimen. Can you tag me on IG with it in a Story? And… possibly a pic of your inauthentic piece that I can share with everyone? That would be so helpful since no one wants to really fess up on their inauthentic inventory if you know what I mean. 😉
Yes! Yes! You have the unique position to make a firm stance and our community has a obligation to educate. That’s what I will do! I’ve already shared the post once and I will be sharing again. Really wish we had a governing body to crack down on stuff like this.
Thank you for committing to this, Angie! Crystal Family… We are our own governing body. 😉
Thank you for this valuable information. I have always Loved how clear and straight to the point you always are. I find that someone telling the truth will always get straight to the point! I always look to you for honest information regarding crystals ????
Michele, I don’t know any other way to be. And THANK YOU. ♥
Hi Hibiscus Moon,
I don’t use IG much. So you’re saying I would add the post and tag you. I’m very glad to do that so will work on figuring that out.
Yep. And if you can figure it out, post it as an IG story and tag me. But whatever is easier. 🙂 Thank you so much!
Hi Hibiscus Moon,
I added my photos with captions on IG and tagged you. At first I added all the photos and the same caption ended up on all of them, so I deleted the post and wrote separate posts for each crystal — Ajoite and the Chlorite. Hope this is helpful.
Thanks, Deanna, I’ll take a look over the next few days! So sweet of you. ♥
I finally figured out that you can’t add a Story to IG from a desktop so I tried to do it from my phone. It wasn’t as easy but I think I managed to send you a few messages directly with photos — no captions. Hope it worked.
If it didn’t work, let me know and I’ll figure out another way to get the photos to you (hopefully with captions if you want) 🙂
LOVE LOVE LOVE the fact you are SO passionate about crystal fakes! I almost purchased a fake Ajoite sometime back. Once I saw it, I knew it was fake thanks to the education you provide! THANKS for all you do!
Hey Dee!! ((HUGS)) You were with me when I purchased my last Ajoite from Nharo of Africa in Tucson. You know what the real deal looks like. :D♥
Damn I love a good rant from someone who knows their stuff! I appreciate your knowledge and passion. Thank you for such great information about fakes.
Haha! ME too I must admit, Ali. It’s my total pleasure though you know. 😉
This fake Ajoite reminds me of a crystal I saw for sale recently… “Blue Rose Quartz.” I suspect this may be the same idea, a low quality milky quartz with a blue cast to the inclusions. Hibiscus, is Blue Rose Quartz a real thing? Or the next misrepresentation of a crystal??
Le sigh… Ritzy I think you know what I’m gonna say. First I’d like to point you to this intelligent convo amongst rock hounds regarding “Blue Rose Quartz”: https://www.mindat.org/mesg-565395.html
and then here’s my blog post on Rose Quartz: https://hibiscusmoon.com/rose-quartz/ I think you’ll enjoy that quite a bit. ♥
Thanks again HM! The photo I saw looked an awful lot like blue chalcedony…
♥ I agree
Awesomeness at its finest! Thank you for all you do for us, keeping it real, honest and above board. Keeping us informed and honest. This is what it is supposed to be. Unicorns and rainbows are great but in a world where so much “fakes, misinformation” is rampant we need to stand together and inform our community. (Granted, they would have to want to know the truth). I send everyone that does want to know straight to your free information! Thank you.
Nice article for best knowledge of it
Hi, I need to know if this ebay seller is selling real Ajoite. I personally do not care if he is selling “fakes”, but what I worry was what he said in his description. He wrote “..We are a fun group of over 8,000 people that love rocks, minerals, and crystals — we’d love for you to join us!” That means that if he is selling fakes then those 8,000 people in his group are in trouble. Is there some way to you can check if he is selling fake? Thanks.
This is one of his “Ajoite” he is selling..
https://www.ebay.com/itm/284778670200?hash=item424e21a878:g:EBQAAOSwC6BiYX0M
Thank you for the clarification. I would love to have one of these for my collection. I’m on the hunt. I will go to the link. Thank you for providing much needed information on some of the fakes out there. Blessings!
Ajoite price has gone thru the roof .It is getting harder to find .I heard the mine is closed in Namibia
Hopefully they will find more of it.I have some of my website ,unfortunately it is not in the quartz form
Ajoite is one of my favorites it has calming soothing energy.It is hard to find a piece with a lot of dark blue.If you scour the internet you cam find good quality ajoite but it is really expensive.Papagoite is also getting really hard to find. http://www.crystal-wizard.com
I’ve become a nutcase for ajoite if I come across a really good deal. I did a search on ajoite earlier today and some searches are showing something called “Phoenix Stone” which some are trying to claim is ajoite. Makes me sad to think of how many people are fooled by this stuff. As you said, nothing wrong with those minerals, but sellers should be honest AND INFORMED about what they’re selling.