Not sure whether your salt lamp is made of real Himalayan salt? Or want to buy a salt lamp and make sure you don't end up with an imitation? With the 7 checks below, you can spot a real salt lamp in just a few minutes, whether you bought it online, in a homeware shop or at a discount store.
In short: a real salt lamp is heavy for its size, gives off a soft and uneven light, tastes salty, can 'sweat' moisture in a damp room and has an irregular, natural texture.
Where does a real Himalayan salt lamp come from?
A real Himalayan salt lamp is handmade from rock salt from the Salt Range in Pakistan, mostly from the Khewra Salt Mine. The name 'Himalayan' refers to the mountain range in that region; the salt itself does not come from the Himalayan mountains, as the name might suggest. Each lamp is carved from a single block and therefore has its own shape.
1. A real salt lamp is heavy
Rock salt is dense and heavy. A salt lamp the size of a grapefruit easily weighs 2 to 3 kilos. If a lamp feels noticeably light for its size, there is a good chance it is (partly) made of plastic, resin or glass. That is why the weight of real salt lamps is always stated in kilos, as with our pink salt lamps from 3 to 45 kg.
2. The light is soft and uneven
A real salt lamp gives off a warm, muted glow. The light doesn't shine through evenly everywhere: thick parts stay darker, thin parts light up, and you often see lines, specks or crystals. A lamp that glows very brightly and evenly, or is the same colour all the way through, is more likely an imitation.
3. It tastes salty
The simplest test: moisten your finger slightly, rub it over the stone (lamp switched off and cooled down) and taste. A real salt lamp tastes distinctly salty. If you taste nothing, or the surface feels smooth and 'plasticky', you probably aren't holding real salt.
4. It gets wet in a damp room
Salt attracts moisture from the air. A real salt lamp that is switched off in a damp room (for example a cold room in autumn) will therefore get droplets on its surface. This is not a defect, but actually a sign of real salt. Read Why is my salt lamp leaking? to learn how to prevent this. An imitation made of plastic or glass always stays dry.
5. The surface is rough and irregular
A natural salt lamp is carved by hand. The surface feels rough and grainy, and a little salt may be left on your hands. There are often small cracks, inclusions or crystal faces. Even with shaped lamps (such as a sphere or figure), you can see this natural texture in the salt.
6. It is fragile
Rock salt is hard but brittle. If knocked, corners or flakes can break off, and those broken pieces taste salty. A lamp that can take a knock without damage, or that is hollow and smooth inside, is probably not solid salt.
7. The colour is natural, not garish
Real salt lamps come in pink-orange, white, red and grey. All these colours occur naturally due to the minerals in the salt. Read more in What the colour of a salt lamp tells you. Is the colour unnaturally bright, or is the colour only on the outside while the inside (where damaged) is white? Then the lamp may have been dyed.
Quick checklist
- Heavy for its size, weight stated in kilos
- Soft, warm and uneven light
- Tastes salty
- Can release moisture in a damp room
- Rough surface with natural lines and crystals
- Fragile: broken-off pieces taste salty
- Natural colour: pink-orange, white, red or grey
What to look for when buying
- Weight in kilos on the label or in the product description.
- Origin: Pakistan / Khewra Salt Mine.
- A good cable and lamp holder: an E14 holder with a separate on/off switch, so you can replace the bulb. Take a look at our E14 bulb for salt lamps.
- A sturdy base, preferably made of wood, so the lamp stands stable and any moisture doesn't end up on your furniture.
Frequently asked questions
Is a salt lamp from Action or Xenos real?
We cannot judge that for other shops. With the checks above, you can check any salt lamp yourself, wherever you bought it. Pay particular attention to weight, taste and whether the lamp can absorb moisture.
Is a white salt lamp real too?
Yes. White Himalayan salt contains less iron oxide than pink salt and occurs naturally. Take a look at our white salt lamps.
Are USB salt lamps and night lights real salt?
The stone can be real salt just as well; only the light source is different (usually an LED). You check them the same way: weight, taste and texture. Take a look at our night lights and USB salt lamps.
My salt lamp is leaking. Does that mean it's fake?
No, quite the opposite. A leaking or 'sweating' salt lamp is a sign that it is made of real salt.
