If you prefer a more even color and dont like visible flaws, go with lab-created stones as their controlled creations usually result in a visibly more perfect appearance. For instance, synthetic diamonds, rubies and blue sapphires are just a few common synthetic gems that exist. Fake pearls are going to be smoother and will look more perfect. If that's not possible, go elsewhere. So I am guessing that natural when seeing a stone online, is still real? While transparent and flawless gemstones are hard to find, look for any cracks, scratches, and black spots inside the gemstone before you zero in on your purchase. We dont like those. Sadly, the fact that they are so valuable is exactly why some people have made fake gemstones in order to fool other people. The history of humankind is also the history of gemstones. An example of a GIA Identification report. Platinum vs Gold: Why Platinum Jewelry is More Expensive? As is with all accessories, the choice always comes down to the wearers personal preferences. You need to know how to spot a fake gemstone from a real gemstone in order to buy online with confidence. In fact, many don't even know that there's a difference in these distinctions. For instance, synthetic diamonds, rubies and blue sapphires are just a few common synthetic gems that exist. Tip #2 Dont try to find a perfect gemstone. Princess Cut vs Cushion Cut: Which Shape is Made for You? The first step is to find a credible seller, someone who can educate you about your gemstone. Gemstones are highly sought after in India due to their astrological benefits. I know. However, many treatments get lumped together under the blanket term enhanced which makes it difficult to understand what specific type of treatment has been carried out and also whether it would be acceptable to a reputable gemstone dealer or not. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Copyright 2014. South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands (USD$). Many of the words used in jewelry ads can be confusing, too. Better is a VERY subjective term and your opinion may vary dependent on the type of gemstone you seek. In this tension set blue sapphire engagement ring (SKU 3452), the cost is $1,345 with lab-created sapphire and $1,669 with a genuine stone. You want to be able to buy with confidence. However, lab-created diamonds compared with natural diamonds that have less brilliant clarity or that contain flaws will actually sell for more. HPHT (High-pressure, High-temperature): This is one of the oldest methods to create gemstones in a lab. Best Online Jewelry Appraisal Services of 2022, The Shocking Truth About Gold-Plated Coins, Learn Everything You Need to Know About Alexandrite Gemstones. Let's talk about the differences. Simulated gemstones may also include natural gems passed off as others, such as cubic zirconia being passed off as a diamond. So lets dive into some gemological definitions of each. Don't be intimidated and try to get a specific answer. Since it is just a strong and durable stone, there should be no scratches. Tuesday, Aug 02, 2022 | Last Update : 09:43 AM IST. I personally dont care about origin so much as long as I have a very beautiful gemstone! Lab-created gemstones are no different from natural ones. An important thing to remember is that real gemstones are natural and because of this they are going to have flaws. Real Gemstones Or Fakes? Learn the differences between lab-created and natural gemstones to make better buying decisions, even when sellers might try to trip you up by labeling both types as 'real.'. Faceting is allowed for a stone to still be considered natural, but we're seeing a growing demand for more natural looking, rough stone engagement rings like the unique diamond ring shown above (SKU 3236). plastic, glass, a different stone than claimed to be). And dont forget that also diamonds can be subjected to certain treatments, such as laser-drilling and fracture-filling! Credibility of a seller: Finding the right gemstone can be difficult. These natural gemstones are always classified as "real" gems - there is no dispute about their origins or their mineral makeup. . A treated gem is when a gemstone has been altered by humans, in addition to the ordinary cutting and polishing. Natural emeralds almost always have inclusions and imperfections and, if they dont, they come at a very premium price. Its important to keep in mind that high-quality, man-made stones are not always created in an effort to deceive. To gain the correct astrological results, the ring or pendant should be designed in manner that it touches the skin and the rays are allowed to pass through the gemstone to enter the body. The synthetic gemstones are lustrous and shine better than the real gemstones. Here are a few statements to help you choose whats best for you: If you are partial to buying jewelry crafted with a real and authentic stone for its value and natural properties, genuine should be your choice. If you want something that is rare and authentic. If a gemstone, such as rubies or sapphires, is easy to create in a lab, then they can be produced fairly cheaply, which makes a synthetic or lab-grown ruby or sapphire much less expensive than the real thing. Pay as per transparency: Once the above points are finalized, you should now look for the transparency of the gemstone. Good synthetics aren't always inexpensive but should cost much less than natural stones of similar size and quality. She has a special interest in vintage jewelry. Ive been becoming more open towards lab created gems recently. If there are nicks on the stone, then it is most likely a fake gemstone. For instance, compare two red gemstones: A synthetic gemstone shares a natural stone's physical, chemical and optical qualities, but it is created in a laboratory. its a genuine emerald) and predefined standards (e.g. Take a look at what the different types of designations there are to describe a gemstone's origins. If you have environmental concerns, lab-created stones are created in a controlled setting with few resources versus procured through an extensive mining process, which is typically followed by importation and other activities that result in a much larger carbon footprint. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. If youd like to discover the perfect stone for you, you can also take my quiz and find out! A natural gem is any gemstone that is entirely the product of nature. Eva using aloupe to inspect the hue, saturation and tone of a colour stone. We will craft the jewelry of YOUR dreams using whatever stone you desire. Every item sold is verified by our in-house team of gemologists and watch experts to ensure its authenticity. Your gemstone dealer or jeweller will thank you for it as youll be able to articulate what you want and the colours you like. Both are beautiful, in my opinion. Try it out with the South Sea Pearl Gold Earrings and youll feel the difference! This is especially true for pearls. In this three-stone alexandrite engagement ring (SKU 2007), the cost is just over $500 less with lab-created alexandrites ($2,475) vs. genuine stones ($2,979). It should not be confused with simulated or imitation gemstones, which are meant to give the appearance of a gemstone but are chemically different (such as being made of glass or plastic). 20 West 47th Street Why wasn't this page useful? Feel free to contact us by email: info@evagemsandjewels.com or for quick customer service please give us a call at: +31 (0) 62 22 088 60, Be the first to get access to new gem treasures, insights and offers & events . Only when you see a few coloured stones of the same type, colour, size and shape next to each other, will you be able to pick the best stone from the lot. For stones of lesser value I wouldnt advise to get a certificate. 21 Things You Don't Know About June's Birthstone, Teenage Coin Collector Finds Rare Coin in Pocket Change, 10 Gems Rarer and More Valuable Than Diamonds. Fun Fact: Natural, untreated sapphires are very rare and more valuable than treated sapphires. This keeps the cost of some lab-created gems low in comparison to natural stones. If there are nicks on the stone, then it is most likely a fake gemstone. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Gemstones are worn for drawing additional energy from the respective planets. You'll see synthetic versions of nearly all popular gemstones and many versions have been available for many years. Input your search keywords and press Enter. That being said, a lab-created emerald is a much more affordable choice that, because of its controlled creation, appears more perfect and free of flaws. The 4Cs of diamond grading). It was great learning about ethically sourced diamonds, conflict-free diamonds, and lab-grown diamonds. They vary greatly in appearance and color, suiting their owners unique taste. Gemstone is my favorite jewelry piece. As stated in number two, a. should have imperfections but not actual scratches. Go shopping locally to compare jewelry and gemstones side-by-side. Although the above question is tricky to answer, there is one piece of advice you should always keep in mind:If you dont know your stones, at least know your seller.And a good place to start testing your seller is by asking these 4 questions: To give you some more insights as to what you should look for in the answers given to you, I have summed up 5 things for you to keep in mind when buying loose coloured gemstones or a gemstone piece: You may be surprised to know that there are other fine quality gemstones besides the three most well-known coloured stones: emerald, ruby and blue sapphire. comes from an international reputable gem lab, like Gbelin, GRS, GIA, SSEF, AIGS and NEVER from a small, local lab, states the name of the stone, that the stone is natural and its treatment, if any, states the origin of the stone (but this is only for those gem aficionados who are keen to know this as you need to pay extra for origin determination), How to Arrange Crystals in Your Home, According to the Experts, Blue Gems for your Chic Engagement or Bridal Jewellery. If a gemstone looks so perfect it could be fake, it probably is! All that glitters is not gold! Besides those three famous stones, you can also ask for a certificate for some other stones, such as high-quality spinels, certain tourmalines or garnets - provided they have a significant value. The HPHT process uses heating treatment to mimic natural gemstones in a lab in a fraction of the time it takes for a natural diamond to form. And if you'd like personal guidance from a certified gemologist, gem dealer and jewellery designer, book a complimentary private consultation with me to have all of your questions answered while exploring my collection of fine gems and jewellery pieces! Dont miss out on our newsletter, featuring all the latest stories and products we love. New York, NY-10036. A good quality coloured gem requires some work. The redder a ruby or the bluer a blue sapphire, the better the stone is. Clearly there is something really special about gemstones, or else they wouldnt have been so sought after for thousands of years. The biggest difference between the two is that the synthetic gemstone is usually of better clarity, with fewer inclusions and often better color. A brand name gemstone can be natural, genuine or synthetic, etc. The more transparent a gemstone the higher is its value. Please help us improve. If you are not fully satisfied with the authenticity of your gemstone purchase, our team will be here to help you and work with the seller of the item to accept a return of the item and refund your money back. The world of jewelry is filled with necklaces, rings, earrings and other unique items crafted using a rainbow of gorgeous gemstones. Natural should indicate that the stone has not been treated, enhanced or otherwise altered. An enhancement made in gems, which is greatly prevalent today, makes the gem ineffective. For example, extreme heat is applied to natural sapphires, which results in improved clarity and a more cohesive, blue color. Yet, here's a great cost comparison between synthetic and natural stones. Many times natural stones have discoloration, cracks and/or inclusions. There can be a 30 percent reduction in price for a synthetic versus a naturally grown diamond of the exact same specifications. However, the stone isn't natural anymore if it was treated in some way to enhance its appearance. Charles & Colvard Moissanites), so technically, they are still the real deal. For instance, origins like Burma (todays Myanmar) or Ceylon (todays Sri Lanka) are desired origins for gem collectors and those stones will be sold at a premium. Many of these gemstones have the exact chemical composition of the same stone created in nature (e.g. (Like red spinel, reddish tourmaline and garnet). A credible online retailer will be happy to tell you everything you need to know and answer all of your questions! Fake pearls are going to be smoother and will look more perfect. Enhancements allow jewelry manufacturers to improve the look of lower quality gemstones that consumers wouldn't otherwise purchase. Also, fake gemstones tend to sparkle and shine better than real gemstones, because real natural stones have been worn down through the environment. The term lab created gemstone refers to a gemstone that has been made in a laboratory and has the same chemical composition as its natural counterpart. Since it is just a strong and durable stone, there should be no scratches. Or in good jewellery-quality at least For that reason, 95% of natural rubies and blue sapphires have been heat-treated. Many customers often inquire about the origin of gemstones and whether it is beneficial to purchase a natural or lab-created one here are some tips when looking to add to a collection. very informative article! These stones have also been around for many years, so don't be surprised if you find a ruby doublet (made with garnet and glass) in an old Victorian-era ring. Despite the fact that all lab-created gemstones are typically flawless, popular culture still prefers natural gemstones over the lab-crafted variety, simply due to the fact that the natural stones are "rare" and therefore considered more valuable. Fun Fact: Any type of gemstones can be a simulant. Shopping for gemstones and gemstone jewelry can be confusing because prices can be very different for jewelry and stones that appear to be similar. Natural gemstones are delivered to us courtesy of nature and have absolutely no interference from humans other than being mined, cut and polished. All rights reserved. Carly Wickell is a writer and jewelry expert. Also, the Refractive Index (RI) of lab-created gemstones (which measures brilliance) is the same as natural gemstones. Thats amazing! These days all the gemstones are treated to enhance its colour. Also, fake gemstones tend to sparkle and shine better than real gemstones, because real natural stones have been worn down through the environment. Like any other industry, supply and demand will drive gemstone prices up and down. Additionally, the common practice of heat-treating natural stones to enhance their color doesn't alter their natural distinction. Synthetic gems will look more perfect. Get the facts about a specific gem before you pay a premium price just because it is labeled "natural.". Search our gemstone options by type, color, shape and more right online! Did you recently purchase a gemstone? For this round cut ruby solitaire engagement ring (SKU 1995), the cost is $689 with a lab-created ruby and $1,255 with a genuine, AA grade stone. Suite 606 And judging colour is done best by comparing similar coloured gemstones that are placed together. Generally, a medium tone is good for many coloured gemstones out there. So, what is a treated gemstone? TrueFacet, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The first step is to check for any inclusion on the stone with the naked eye. This white gold emerald engagement ring (SKU 3791) costs over 2.5x more with a genuine round cut emerald ($4,419) vs. a lab-created stone ($1,609). Gemstones are labeled as either natural, genuine, synthetic, simulated, treatedor a combination of those terms. If a lab-created gemstone contains other materials, however, such as spinel being passed off as a ruby, the gemstone is not considered real and is usually called 'simulated' rather than "synthetic" by the seller. Tip #1 Focus on the credibility of a seller. Your email address will not be published. How to Wear a Pocket Watch for a Timeless Look, Typewriter Key Necklaces for a Vintage Look, 80s Jewelry Pictures That Bring Retro Back, 80s Fashion Jewelry Trends to Inspire Your Style, Examples of Bakelite Lockets to Inspire Your Style, Tourmaline Necklace Types: What to Know Before Buying, August Birthstones: Discover Peridot, Spinel and Sardonyx, June Birthstones: Glowing Pearl, Moonstone & Alexandrite, The Meaning of Colors in Mood Rings Explained + Chart, Stunning Heart of the Ocean Necklace Styles Inspired by The Titanic, 9 Love Knot Necklace Styles With Timeless Elegance, Cartilage Earrings: Common Types & Styles. will look more perfect. Fine-quality, natural gemstones are the rarest and will be the most valuable of all of the above. Discover more fine jewellery pieces here. Are you looking for something like this, 7 CTW 14K Solid Gold Ruby Earrings with Briolette Dangling Rubies. We guarantee the authenticity of our products so much so that we offer an. Are Lab Grown Diamonds better than Natural Diamonds? The real test of a diamond is whether or not it can cut glass. Your email address will not be published. Each cut and shape has different characteristics. For example, this good quality lab-created diamonds at Brilliant Earth start at $375, while similarly sized but higher clarity diamonds from Whiteflash sell for around $675. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); GemsNY Corp. Where does glass filled ruby fall in the value of rubies versus lab created or genuine? Sapphires come in right behind diamonds in terms of gemstone hardness. Shopping online for jewelry and finding the right gemstone can be difficult. Are you looking for something like this Emerald Diamond Platinum Ring or perhaps these 7 CTW 14K Solid Gold Ruby Earrings with Briolette Dangling Rubies? Buy pricey gemstones from a company or individual you trust, especially if the gems are labeled natural. In fact, the earliest gemstone jewelry stretches back to 25,000 years. Although the above question is tricky to answer, there is one piece of advice you should always keep in mind: And a good place to start testing your seller is by asking these 4 questions: If the previous answer was natural, ask: Has this stone been treated?