Digital X-ray technique
The digital X-ray technique is crucial in identifying genuine and fake Rudraksha beads. It allows us to see the internal structure of the beads without causing any damage. This method is effective for beads up to eight mukhi, although higher mukhi beads may not yield 100% accurate results due to the overlapping of the internal seeds.
CT scanning
While more expensive than X-ray, CT scanning offers a higher level of clarity in identifying Elaeocarpus sphaericus. This method provides detailed and accurate results, ensuring a reliable identification process.
Water Test
Any item, including Rudraksha, with a Specific gravity greater than 1 is denser than water and will sink in it. Those with a Specific gravity of less than 1 are less dense than water and will float on it.
Rudraksha will float and sink in water, depending on how much moisture is trapped in the Bead. If the bead is dry due to dehydration and ageing and does not have enough moisture, it will float on the water despite being original. Once you wear them, as they absorb moisture and oil, they start sinking over time.
Due to the heavy demand for Rudraksha, farmers pluck the fruit from trees before maturity. This is more prominent in large-sized beads as farmers hope to get higher mukhi like 13-21 Mukhi, which they can sell at higher prices. Rudraksha Seeds tend to be lower in density if plucked before maturity. Hence, these Rudraksha float on water due to their lower density. However, they are genuine, provided they are not tempered by any other means. A ripened and matured Rudraksha usually sinks in water since it has a specific gravity higher than water.
Most Indonesian beads are tiny compared to Nepal beads and have low density. This is true for even higher mukhi as well. So, though they float on water, they are still powerful, result-oriented, and bless their wearer.
Even a fake Rudraksha made of wood and impregnated with lead will sink in water, giving a false impression of a genuine Rudraksha.
It's important to note that the water test, while a popular method, has limitations in identifying genuine and fake Rudraksha beads. Factors such as moisture content and bead size can lead to misleading results, making this test unreliable.
Coin Test
The coin test is a significant method for identifying genuine and fake Rudraksha beads. With its electro-magnetic properties, Rudraksha will rotate when placed between copper coins. Even if extra lines are carved on a seven-mukhi Rudraksha, it will rotate, but its power will correspond to its original mukhi count and not the additional lines.
Unnatural Cut
You will find unnatural and natural cuts in fake beads made by carving extra lines. These unnatural cuts are mostly straight and do not have branches like the natural face. Study each mukh/cut/face individually with a magnifying lens.
One should take extra precautions when buying 1 mukhi Kaju Rudraksha, Gauri Shankar, Trijuti, and higher mukhi Rudraksha (14-21mukhi). They have more demand than supply and are often faked by carving extra lines, glueing two or more Rudraksha together, or making them from the fibre.