Lab grown vs. Natural

Many people ask, what is the difference between lab-grown gemstones and natural gemstones? Simply stated, natural stones are found in nature-mined from the earth, and lab-grown stones are actually grown in a lab from chemically identical crystal structures of the gemstone being duplicated. A mineral rough is actually grown from intense heat and pressure.

Synthetic is the name given to man made gems which are just as beautiful as a natural gem. Man-made gems are identical to their natural counterparts, except for the fact they are made in the laboratory instead of by mother nature in the earth. They possess the identical chemical composition, crystal structure and appearance as their natural counterparts. They are also identical in hardness, luster, and refractive qualities (this is what gives the stone it’s sparkle). Because they are lab-made, the gemstones are flawless. The cost of a perfect natural gem can be astronomical. The cost of a perfect man made gem is affordable.

Facts to consider:

* A synthetic gem is not an imitation,simulation,fake,etc. These words mean “to resemble”.

* To be a synthetic gemstone it is necessary that it be difficult to distinguish from it’s natural counterpart because it is identical in every way but it’s origin.

* Caution should be exercised when purchasing any "non-natural" gemstone. Many retailers will market imitations as though they are "lab-created" stones when in fact they are simply replicas of the natural gemstone. Remember, a true "lab-created" gemstone will have the same chemical composition and hardness as it's natural counterpart.

*A variety of treatments are used to change the appearance or color of natural gemstones. These include heat treatments, chemical treatments , and even the “oiling” of Emeralds and the filling of cracks with colored paste. These treatments are rarely disclosed. You may be buying a “natural” stone, but what treatments did it receive to achieve it’s beauty and color that made it appeal to you to begin with. Your most likely paying a high price for a treated natural stone.

* Treatments of natural gemstones are so routinely used that they are rarely mentioned. For Example, Tanzanite often is brown when mined, and becomes the beautiful deep purple-bluish color only after heat treatment. This treatment of Tanzanite is rarely mentioned, yet Tanzanite remains one of the most sought after gemstones,even though it is soft and susceptible to chips and scratches.

*Most natural gemstones can be lab-made. Beautiful Blue Sapphire, fancy color Sapphires like pink and orange, Garnets, Spinel, Rubies, Emeralds , Tanzanite color Sapphire and more.

*In 1902 the first man made gemstone was developed- The Ruby.