How can you tell if a fairy cross staurolite is fake?

Answer:
This can be quite tricky. If it's too clean, too sharply formed, be a bit suspicious. They form in mica, so rough faces and rounded edges are the norm. Look for saw marks or bubbles, in case it was formed by cutting or casting. A low power microscope reveals a lot. Experience is the best teacher; if you've seen a lot of them the fakes will become obvious.
First answer by Zantaz. Last edit by Zantaz. Contributor trust: 19 [recommend contributor recommended]. Question popularity: 2 [recommend question].