Lab created?

[HollyS]

This may have been addressed before, and I''m coming late to the party, but. . . what are lab-created sapphires, emeralds, and rubies? Are they real stones? If they are real, are they undesirable? You can''t expect the people selling them to tell you the truth.

 

[Elmorton]

Hi Holly! There is a new section called "Lab-Created Stones/Manufactured Diamonds" or something like that which may be the better place to post your question.

A friend of mine just asked me the same thing, since she came across a bunch of lab created stones that her grandmother had collected. This is the gist of my answer to her:

It depends on what you mean by real. Lab-created stones don''t occur naturally in nature, and they''re made by man. They share (most?) of the same properties as the "real" stone so in that sense they are "real", but they don''t come from the earth. Therefore, lab-created are easy to come by and less valuable. Lab created stones also typically have a very saturated color that only the best of its natural counterpart would have. Sometimes they are clearer, too (compare a lab-created emerald to a natural emerald at a maul jeweler - you''ll see a huge difference).

In terms of the wearer''s value - awhile back, my mom found out that in a ring, what she thought was a pink tourmaline was actually a lab created sapphire (the stone was an e-bay find), and she still of course appreciates the ring and loves the color and wears it happily. To me, just because it''s lab created doesn''t mean it''s worthless. If it''s the color you want in the style you want, why not? I just would caution the buyer to make sure she isn''t paying the price of a natural stone, since it IS synthetic.

That said, if I have the choice, I''ll always buy a natural stone. If you read through these threads, a lot of colored stone lovers also prefer natural colors vs. stones that are heat treated to achieve a richer color. Lots of purists around here! I agree that the magic of a colored stone is when the colors occur in nature rather than being treated, but there are many beautiful stones that are treated (blue topaz being an example) that are still great stones, and treatment isn''t always a negative thing, either. As a general rule, treated stones are also easier to come by and have a lower pricepoint as a result.

I hope that helps a bit or is at least a start!

 

[LostSapphire]

Hi Holly

Here''s a link from 2003...looks kind of interesting.

LS

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/lab-created-sapphires-are-they-for-real.8066/

 

[coatimundi_org]

Synthetic stones basically have the same chemical composition and crystal structure as natural stones, but they are man made. Some synthetics are better than others.

For corundum, flame fusion and pulled synthetics are easy to identify--don't look as good. Hydrothermal and flux synthetics look better and are more expensive, but they are still a far cry from natural.

Many simulants are also created in a lab, but they are not to be confused with synthetics. "Lab created" ruby indicates a synthetic.
Simulants can be any stone (natural or synthetic) that replicates the look of the desired stone. Synthetics have the same chemical makeup as the natural stones--same hardness, same refractive index etc.

Are they "real" stones? Yes, but they are not natural/mined gems. Are they undesirable? To me, yes. I'd take a beautiful red spinel over a synthetic ruby.
There are many incredible natural stones in the hues of sapphires, emeralds, and rubies to choose from.

 

[HollyS]

Thanks for the answers. I work near an outlet mall, and one of the stores is the Zales outlet. Now, I know, I''m a PSer, I would never buy a ''serious'' piece of jewelry at Zales. But the not too expensive, fun stuff, why not? But I was pretty sure I was not getting the straight scoop from the sales assistant about the lab-created sapphire and ruby rings she was showing me. I was only interested because of the style, and the lower price; but concerned about the real value of the synthetic stones and whether they were worth spending any money on. The rather intense color kind of threw me off, too. Kind of ''costume jewelryish''.

I think we all prefer natural stones; I won''t even buy what they call "reconstituted'' turquoise. To me, it''s like having pressed turkey roll for Thanksgiving instead of a roasted bird! Not so great.

 

[HollyS]

This is close to the style I saw there. See, this is really inexpensive, and I guess, for what it is, it's a good value.

I guess it didn't print the price: $99.00

 

[partgypsy]

As coutimundi stated, synthetic gems have the same chemical composition as the naturally occuring gemstones, but they are manmade. As far as desirable, undesirable, whether the gemstone is man made by law needs to be disclosed because you should be paying a fraction of the price for the synthetic stone. They can be very pretty, but as they are manmade and not rare/naturally occuring but they are not collectible nor would appreciate in value as a natural gemstone might. However if you like the style (and the price) there is no reason not to purchase it, just as long as you are aware of what it is.

 

[Pandora II]

For me the problem with them is the colour.

It''s always that ''perfect'' shade. ''Disney'' gems if you know what I mean.

I have quite a big collection of synthetics for educational purposes and I think they really stand out as synthetics when seen against my natural stones.

That said, I think they are a great alternative for people who would otherwise end up with one of those hideous black sapphires or opaque rubies...

 

[princesss]

Date: 7/30/2008 5:53:06 PM
Author: Pandora II

It''s always that ''perfect'' shade. ''Disney'' gems if you know what I mean.

Great way of describing it, Pandora. They''re always just a little too...much.

 

[purrfectpear]

Chatham made a fortune from created emeralds and Linde made the same from star sapphires, but I''ve never been a fan.

Give me a beautiful grass green natural emerald with "some" jardin and I''d be in heaven.