Imitation sugilite and composite materials made to imitate sugilite are abundant in the marketplace. These items are often sold without disclosure. Much imitation sugilite is also labeled as “synthetic”. It is likely that sellers are unaware of what they are selling.

The Gemological Institute of America reports that dyed marble and dyed quartzite have been used as sugilite imitations. GIA also reported on purple beads that were a convincing imitation of sugilite. Advanced testing of the beads revealed that they were made from dyed serpentine