Gemstones occur in far greater variety than many people may think. Although gemstone buyers often are aware only of natural gems that develop in the interior of the Earth, technological advancements in recent decades allow manufacturers and jewelers to produce gems that closely resemble those developed in the Earth’s interior. Determining the difference between natural and synthetic stones is among one of the most critical tasks in gemology.
Natural gemstones develop in the interior of the Earth through the use of heat, pressure, and mineral-rich liquids and gases to encourage the crystallization of atoms to grow over time. Each natural stone displays a specific set of characteristics; no two natural stones are completely alike. Because they have developed in nature, most natural stones contain features that are visible to the experienced eye of a gemologist, and these features can often help gemologists determine the origin of a stone.
Synthetic stones, on the other hand, can be made to appear almost identical to natural stones in a laboratory. Synthetic stones are not the same as imitations. Instead of having a different chemistry from a natural gemstone, synthetic stones share the same chemical composition as the natural stones. The primary distinction of a synthetic gem is how it is grown; the chemical composition of a sapphire grown in a laboratory still makes it a sapphire. Synthetic gems are not found within the Earth.
The existence of synthetic gemstones presents unique opportunities and challenges to the gemstone industry. In certain cases, synthetic gemstones are developed to contain fewer inclusions than natural gemstones and more consistently color the gems. Synthetic gemstones generally are produced at a lower cost than natural gemstones.
It is also important for buyers and jewelers to accurately determine if the gemstones they are interested in purchasing are natural or synthetic. Often natural and synthetic stones may have different values, even if they appear almost identical to the naked eye. To accomplish this identification, gemologists observe, or look at, each stone and use specific techniques and equipment. Gemologists use magnification, observation, and advanced laboratory equipment to examine features and growth patterns within the gemstone to determine its origins. Many gemologists can easily identify gemstones without the use of laboratory equipment, but this often is not the case.
Within the gem industry, gemologists and manufacturers are expected to be completely honest about the origin of a gemstone. Many areas of the market do not discriminate against synthetic gemstones as long as it is clearly communicated to buyers and collectors. Only when the stone is misidentified or misrepresented are there any issues. In some cases, a natural stone that has been enhanced or improved in quality may be sold as a completely natural stone. The only issue then becomes honesty between parties.
The quality of many synthetic gemstones today, even at relatively low price points, is causing industry debates regarding the importance of natural stones to the market. Certain parties prefer synthetic gemstones because the gems can be produced with fewer environmental concerns. Others still feel it necessary to obtain a completely natural gemstone and value these stones differently. Synthetic stones are often more readily available than natural stones, while natural gemstones, in many cases, continue to be valued by the industry. The value that consumers place on natural versus synthetic gems are different. Each of these two types of gemstones has an important role to play in today’s market.
For students of gemology, understanding how to distinguish between synthetic and natural gemstones is fundamental to learning more about the identification and valuation of gemstones. It is important for these students to know how gemstones grow in nature, the properties and characteristics of gemstones, and the techniques by which manufacturers grow these gemstones in a laboratory. Understanding the differences between the two is the first step toward understanding the gemological processes that follow.
In an industry where science continues to grow, the importance of both natural and synthetic gems continues to become more prevalent. Understanding the different types and qualities of stones in both natural and manufactured forms is critical for future gemologists to provide quality services and maintain trust within the gemstone industry and the world.