| Gemstones are an important commodity in | | | | mineral except for diamond and this property |
| today's marketplace. They have been sought | | | | makes it very useful. In the late 1800's corundum |
| after for thousands of years for their beauty, | | | | was synthesized and is now used in many |
| metaphysical properties, and commercial uses. In | | | | commercial applications such abrasives, lasers, |
| earlier times there were no such things as | | | | medical equipment, even space technology. These |
| synthetic gemstones but today they are quite | | | | synthetics are commonly used in jewelry |
| common. So what's the difference? | | | | applications and are accepted in the trade as long |
| Natural gemstones are items that have been | | | | as the product is disclosed as synthetic. |
| formed by nature with no interference by man. | | | | Imitation gemstones can be anything that |
| They form in a variety of ways in many different | | | | resembles a natural gemstone but does not have |
| environments from many different chemical | | | | the same chemical makeup or structure. These |
| compounds. Sapphires, rubies, tourmalines, and | | | | items are usually much less expensive than the |
| many many more natural minerals and organic | | | | natural forms and give consumers other options |
| gems are found around the world. Natural | | | | for items that appear similar. Imitations can be |
| gemstones are often subjected to a variety of | | | | natural or synthetic. For example, blue glass, |
| treatments including, heat, irradiation, diffusion, and | | | | natural blue spinel, and synthetic blue spinel, can all |
| others. Many gems, such as blue topaz, are so | | | | be referred to as imitation sapphire. Cubic zirconia |
| routinely treated that the treatment is expected | | | | is used as an imitation diamond in many jewelry |
| and assumed. These treatments, also called | | | | applications. Imitations are accepted in the trade |
| enhancements, are accepted in the industry | | | | providing the disclosure of the true nature of the |
| providing they are disclosed. | | | | product. |
| Synthetic gemstones are man made products of | | | | Natural, synthetic, and imitation products all have |
| the same chemical makeup and structure of | | | | uses in today's marketplace. As long as you know |
| natural gemstones. The natural mineral corundum, | | | | what the item actually is you can make an |
| which includes sapphires and rubies, is the hardest | | | | informed purchase. |