The synthetic gemstones They exist in the world of jewelry since the end of the 19th century. Although currently and for various reasons they are established as an option to consider when talking about high quality and beautiful jewelry.
This is due in large part to improvements in synthesis methods, something that has made it possible to produce synthetic gemstones, with the highest purity. But also with excellent color saturation and other optical properties that can even surpass natural gemstones.
However, despite not being so new to jewelry, synthetic gemstones still have a dubious reputation due to their origins. Since many people still don’t understand what synthetic gemstones are. So, to bring some clarity on the subject, here we bring you more information about them.
What are synthetic gemstones?
For many people, hearing the words «synthetic» and «man-made» is automatically a synonym for something fake. Analogously then, there are many people who believe that when speaking of synthetic gemstones we are talking about fake gemstones or that are made of glass.
Which is quite a misconception regarding the synthetic gemstones. Well, although these are gemstones that can be made in a laboratory, they share the same mineral composition as a natural gemstone. In other words, they are real gemstones that may have the same chemical, optical, and physical characteristics as their natural counterparts.
For example, the only difference between a natural diamond and a lab-grown diamond is how that carbon was compressed into a gem, either by nature or by technology. But as we mentioned, synthetic gemstones can even exceed the natural properties of a gemstone.
Of course, a process that takes nature thousands of years, is imitated by man in a controlled environment in a matter of months. So it is possible to control chemicals, minerals, temperature and pressure to «grow» each gemstone.
Why then are they not so popular?
Despite the synthetic gemstones they are exactly the same as natural ones in terms of chemical composition. There are still negative perceptions and one of them is that they are artificial stones. Therefore, many people enjoy more the romantic connotations that a natural stone has, despite having inclusions and defects. Which are part of the identity of a natural gemstone and distinguish it from the rest of the gems.
However, synthetic gemstones have their own benefits. And today, thanks to a growing group of customers with particular purchasing habits and values, they are gaining more and more popularity every day.
Synthetic Gemstones: The Pros
Excellent quality
The synthetic gemstonesBecause of how they are created, they are manufactured to be nearly flawless in terms of color and clarity. It is much easier to get a synthetic sapphire that is royal blue and magnifyingly clean, for example, than to wait in the market to buy a natural sapphire with the same characteristics.
great affordability
Buying a high quality large natural gemstone is extremely expensive compared to a synthetic gemstone. Due to how natural gemstones are produced and discovered, the chances of finding a stone with a certain set of characteristics (carat weight, color, clarity) are difficult, which increases the price significantly.
On the other hand, synthetic gemstones they can be easily manufactured to those particular specifications, and there is a huge supply.
environmentally sustainable
The mining process for natural gemstones and diamonds is known to be detrimental to the environment, causing soil erosion, deforestation, and water pollution. While regulations have been put in place to reduce the impact of mining on the environment, it is difficult to regulate across the board, and suppliers continue to use unethical methods to source their stones.
On the other hand, synthetic stones can be created with some chemicals and machines in a controlled laboratory. The technological requirements, such as the equipment and expertise required to manufacture synthetic gemstoneslimit production to several people.
ethically responsible
Diamonds are known for their unsavory reputation; as many are mined in war-torn African countries, they have been used to finance massive conflicts such as the civil war in Sierra Leone.
While the Kimberly Process was created to trace the origin of stones and prevent this illegal funding from occurring, many customers prefer to avoid fueling an industry known for its lack of transparency. Synthetic diamonds are a great way to enjoy the brilliance and beauty of your jewelry without questioning its origins, as you know exactly where they are created.
Synthetic Gemstones: The Cons
Low resale value
While synthetic gems are wonderfully cheap, this also lowers the resale value if you’re looking to sell some of these pieces later. Compared to natural stones, they are simply not as valuable because they are easily obtained.
Too flawless look
Some people prefer the look of natural gems due to imperfections. Synthetic gems can be created to mimic that look, but mass-market synthetic gems tend to lean toward the clear, seamless aesthetic. This puts off some buyers who enjoy seeing inclusions in their jewelry.