What is the difference between synthetic and natural gemstones

This antique ring is set with a fresh synthetic sapphire. Synthetic gemstones, while created in a lab, have exactly the same chemical composition as the natural one. For instance, a diamond is made out of carbon. The only difference between a natural diamond and a lab-created diamond is how that carbon was compressed into a gem, either by nature or by technology. A gemologist is someone who has trained professionally at an….

You have taken the time to investigate the types…. Citrine gets its name from its color, the citrus yellow of lemons and it is has historically been incorrectly referred…. When shopping for a gemstone online, it is just as important to find the right website as it is…. Amethysts are a purple variety of quartz and is the most valued among the quartz group. The coloring is thought…. Birthstone jewelry has remained perennially popular, even as recommendations for which gems go with certain months keep changing!

You have…. Discovering Tanzanite Talk about location, location, location! This attractive gemstone is found in just one place in the World! Aquamarine is a gorgeous blue variety of beryl that is of high enough grade to be considered a gem stone…. Turquoise is a phosphate copper and aluminum and has been used as an ornamental stone for centuries. It is opaque…. What are Natural Gemstones? Commonly found synthetic gemstones include:. What are Gem Simulants and Imitations?

Are lab grown gemstones expensive? The origin of a gemstone can have a significant impact on its price. If you are in the market for gemstone jewelry or an individual gemstone, you will notice that there is a significant price difference between natural, lab grown and simulant versions of a gemstone.

That being said, there are a few things you can look for on your own when you're assessing a gemstone to determine if it has synthetic or natural origins: Quality - Synthetic gemstones are often devoid of any imperfections like inclusions or color variations, so if you find a gemstone that seems to be too perfect particularly if it's not extremely highly priced , chances are it was created in a lab.

Color - Look at the gemstone under a magnifying tool and see if there're areas of opacity or color concentration; most current gemstones are color treated no matter if they're natural or synthetic, but natural antique or vintage stones won't have the same application and can show color variation.

Price - Even if the seller claims not to know the stone's origins, you can generally determine whether it's natural or synthetic based on the price; large carat natural stones cost a lot of money, and if you find a multi-carat listing for only a few hundred dollars, then it's probably a synthetic stone. Know What You're Purchasing Understand that if you are purchasing a gemstone labeled as synthetic or lab-created, that you are purchasing a quality gemstone with the same mineral makeup as the type found in nature.

How to Spot a Fake Diamond. By Melissa Mayntz. By Kate Miller-Wilson. Moissanite vs. By Adrienne Warber. Difference Between CZ and Diamond. Synthetic Gemstone Jewelry: Bling on a Budget. By Cheryl Cirelli. History of Necklaces and Pendants. Gorgeous Jewelry Brand Alternatives to Tiffany. Simulated gemstones, also known as simulants and imitations, are stones used to imitate real gems. While they look similar to the real thing, simulants always have different chemical structures and physical properties.

A trained gemologist will always be able to tell a simulant from a real gemstone, even by visual inspection. Simulated gemstones can be both natural and synthetic. For example, cubic zirconia is a lab-grown diamond simulant , while zircon is a naturally occurring diamond simulant. It is worth mentioning that there is a group of simulants that are not even gemstones. They are typically made of plastic, glass, resin and dyes.

Fake gems are mass-produced, cheap materials, and they are inferior to simulated and synthetic gemstones. We use cookies on our website to personalise your user experience and analyse our website traffic. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to the use of all the cookies.

Settings Accept All. What Are Natural Gemstones? What Are Synthetic Gemstones? What Are Simulated Gemstones? Lab-Created Rubies vs Natural Rubies.