In the Oud collection circle, there is a common saying: "Out of ten pieces of agarwood, nine are fake." As natural agarwood resources deplete, the price of Oud bracelets soars, leading to an endless variety of counterfeiting methods.

Many beginners are easily attracted by bracelets that are "pitch black, sink instantly, and cheap." Little do they know, these are often the notorious "High-Polished" and "Chemical Oil-Soaked" fake agarwood. These fakes lack the calming effects of natural agarwood, and wearing them long-term can harm your health due to chemical exposure.

Today, Qi Yun Tang experts will teach you how to spot these scams at a glance.

Trap 1: What is "High-Polished" Agarwood?

The Scam: Natural agarwood wood fibers are relatively soft; only pieces with extremely high resin (like sinking grade) will show a warm, moist luster. To make low-grade white wood look like high-resin old wood, dishonest sellers use 3000+ grit sandpaper and high-speed machines to polish the beads crazily. The heat melts wood dust to block all the pores, creating a glass-like artificial glare.

✅ How to Spot It: Check the Pores and Luster

  • The Luster: Natural agarwood, even when well-worn (patina), has a matte, inner glow. High-polished agarwood reflects light sharply, looking like it’s coated in nail polish.
  • The Pores: Natural agarwood has visible pores (vessels) on the surface with a slight texture. High-polished beads are perfectly smooth like plastic beads, with pores completely sealed.

Trap 2: Toxic "Chemical Oil-Soaked" Agarwood

The Scam: This is the worst counterfeiting method. Sellers take cheap wood with zero resin and boil it under high pressure in industrial oils mixed with black dye and artificial fragrances. These beads are pitch black, very shiny, and can easily "sink in water."

✅ 3 Ways to Spot "Oil-Soaked" Fakes:

  1. Color and Resin Lines: Natural agarwood is a mix of wood and resin. The dark brown resin lines and light yellow wood fibers are distinct, creating a gradient. Oil-soaked agarwood is "dead black" all over, looking as if it was dipped in ink.
  2. The Smell: Natural agarwood has an elegant, intermittent scent at room temperature. Oil-soaked fakes have an overwhelmingly strong, pungent artificial smell. If kept in a sealed bag overnight, it might even smell like alcohol or plastic upon opening.
  3. The Tissue Test: Rub the bead vigorously with a clean white tissue. Natural agarwood will never lose its color. A cheap oil-soaked fake will likely leave dark brown oil stains on the tissue.

The Ultimate Test: The Hot Needle Method

If you have already bought a bracelet but are still suspicious, use this professional method:

Take a fine needle, heat it until red hot, and gently touch the inside of the bead’s hole (to avoid ruining the surface).
Real Agarwood: Will instantly emit a pure, elegant, and mellow aroma (milky, floral, or sweet-cooling) without being choking.
Fake Agarwood: Will immediately release a pungent burning smell, plastic odor, or the smell of cheap chemical perfume.

? Afraid of Buying Fake Agarwood? Choose Qi Yun Tang

Qi Yun Tang guarantees that all our Kynam (Kyara) and Agarwood Bracelets are wild-harvested directly from the origin. From forest to hand-polishing, we reject any high-polishing, waxing, or chemical soaking, presenting you with the truest natural scent of agarwood.

If you have a bracelet you are unsure about, or if you want to see high-definition macro details and sinking tests of our natural old materials, feel free to contact our Oud experts via WhatsApp for a free 1-on-1 identification and video consultation:
? WhatsApp Official Service: +86 13913393103 (Global Insured Shipping via SF Express)