How to Identify and Avoid Counterfeit Beads

Rudraksha beads are sacred and powerful, but unfortunately, the market is flooded with fake and tampered Rudraksha. Many sellers take advantage of people's trust by selling artificial, chemically treated, or carved Rudraksha that lack spiritual and healing properties. If you’re looking to buy authentic Rudraksha, it’s crucial to know how to differentiate between real and fake ones.

Fake & Misleading Information About Rudraksha:

Fake and misleading information is aplenty regarding the sacred bead of Rudraksha. Specifically, there are a whole host of myths surrounding how to identify a fake Rudraksha, and Rudradharma is here to bust some of those myths!

A popular but misleading myth is that if a bead is placed between two copper coins, then the Rudraksha should rotate. This is blatantly false. Any round object with multiple protrusions will rotate.

Another misleading but widely believed myth is that a Rudraksha bead is supposed to sink in water. Even an unripe but genuine bead can float on water, and a fake one (generally made of wood or berry) may sink. Ultimately, the density of a seed depends on its maturity.

Types of Fake Rudraksha:

1. Artificially Carved Beads

Some sellers modify ordinary Rudraksha by carving extra lines to create higher mukhi (faces) beads. This is commonly done with rare and expensive mukhis like 1 Mukhi or 21 Mukhi Rudraksha.

2. Chemically Treated Rudraksha

Fake Rudraksha is often soaked in chemicals or polished to enhance its appearance, making it look newer and shinier than natural beads.

3. Rudraksha Made from Wood or Plastic

Some fraudulent sellers create completely fake Rudraksha using wood, plastic, or resin to mimic the real bead’s look. These beads have no energy or spiritual benefits.

4. Rudraksha with Metal Implants

Certain vendors insert metal pieces or glue seeds together to mimic high-mukhi Rudraksha, which is completely unnatural and does not hold any power.

How to Identify Fake Rudraksha?

1. Water Test

• Place the Rudraksha in a glass of water for a few hours.
• If the bead leaks color, feels greasy, or emits a chemical smell, it is likely fake.
• Genuine Rudraksha will remain unchanged and will not release any color or oil.

2. Copper Coin Test – Myth Busted!

• A real Rudraksha does not react to copper coins, whereas a fake one might show magnetic properties if it contains metal or artificial elements.
• The widely believed notion that a Rudraksha should rotate between two copper coins is false. Any round object with multiple protrusions can rotate.

3. Check the Natural Mukhi Lines

• Each mukhi should be naturally formed and run from top to bottom.
• Fake Rudraksha often has uneven, artificially carved, or shallow mukhi lines.

4. Check for Weight and Texture

• A real Rudraksha is lightweight, with a rough and natural surface.
• Fake ones may feel heavy (due to metal implants) or unnaturally smooth.

5. Lab Certification

• The most reliable way to ensure authenticity is by purchasing lab-certified Rudraksha from trusted sources like Rudradharma.
• Certificates from reputed labs verify the bead’s originality and natural mukhis.

Why You Should Avoid Fake Rudraksha

Fake Rudraksha not only wastes your money but also fails to provide any spiritual or health benefits. Wearing an artificial bead will not bring the peace, protection, and energy that a genuine Rudraksha offers. To ensure you experience the full power of Rudraksha, always buy from a trusted source.

Where to Buy 100% Authentic Rudraksha?

At Rudradharma, we provide genuine, lab-certified, and ethically sourced Rudraksha. Our beads undergo strict testing and are energized with Vedic rituals to enhance their spiritual power.