| Though most people think of synthetic gems as | | | | available since the early 1940s. However, these |
| cheap and easy-to-spot imitations, it's the | | | | early "synthetic" stones did not often resemble |
| experienced jeweler who knows that today's | | | | the real thing. Today, with sophisticated and |
| synthetic copies are often just as good as - and | | | | contemporary equipment alongside a greater |
| sometimes even better than - the real thing. | | | | understanding of crystals, we can now "grow" |
| When it comes to synthetic stones made using | | | | almost any gemstone we want, including the |
| modern synthesizing technology, only highly | | | | imperfections and flaws that can make natural |
| trained gemologists can spot the difference | | | | gemstones so beautiful. |
| between these contemporary copies and their | | | | What are the different types of synthetic |
| "natural" gemstone counterparts. | | | | stones? |
| What is the difference between a natural and a | | | | Synthetic stones are typically divided into two |
| synthetic stone? | | | | categories depending on how they were created. |
| A natural stone is, as its name suggests, a | | | | The first category is factory-produced, meaning |
| gemstone that has occurred naturally without | | | | the stones are created in the same way as |
| human intervention. Of course, all gemstones are | | | | natural stones, but then fused together using heat |
| tumbled, cut and polished to bring out their | | | | and pressure techniques. This can take significantly |
| beauty, but the extent of human interference | | | | less time than a naturally created stone. |
| stops there. | | | | The second category of synthetic stone is the |
| Meanwhile, treated gems are something of a | | | | lab-grown version. The lab-grown gemstone exists |
| hybrid. These are gems that were naturally | | | | in the middle ground between the truly natural |
| mined, but lack the color or quality to meet | | | | gemstone and its factory produced counterpart. |
| specific standards. They are then treated with | | | | Instead of fusing the stones together in an |
| chemicals, solvents and procedures ranging from | | | | attempt to mass-produce them, the crystal |
| radiation to heat baking to enhance their | | | | elements are left in a lab for a length of time |
| appearance and increase their quality. | | | | sufficient to produce a more "natural" stone. |
| Finally, there are synthetic gemstones. While | | | | How can I tell the difference between a synthetic |
| synthetic gemstones cost significantly less than | | | | stone and a natural one? |
| their natural counterparts, they can be almost | | | | Typically, if a stone is too good to be true, then it |
| indistinguishable from them. | | | | almost surely is. That said, you should purchase |
| Good quality synthetic rubies, sapphires and spinels | | | | from a reputable buyer and always, no matter |
| have been on the market since the early 20th | | | | who you buy from, have the stone inspected by |
| century while high-quality emeralds have been | | | | an independent and experienced gemologist. |