Natural vs Lab Created Gemstones: What's the Difference?

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Introduction

When purchasing gemstones, whether for jewelry or long-term investment, you have 2 main options: natural gemstones & lab-created gemstones. Understanding the difference between them is important to make sure you get what you want within your budget.

Natural gemstones are mined from the earth, while lab-created gemstones are artificial and made in a laboratory. Although they may look alike, their origins set them apart.

Gemstones come in various sizes, shapes & colors. Natural stones can be rare and expensive, which is why many are made in labs. Some people might wonder if lab-created gemstones are "real. " The answer is yes—they just come from a different place.

You'll find many options for lab-grown and natural gemstones in the market. This blog will tell you the differences between them. If you're looking for natural gemstones, trusted brands like Gemmere can help you find high-quality, genuine stones. So, what exactly is the difference between natural and lab-created gemstones? Let's find out!

What are Natural Gemstones?

Natural gemstones are minerals that have been cut & polished for use in jewelry or decorations. They come from deep within the earth, as they are mined from various locations. Some popular natural gemstones include diamonds, emeralds, pearls, and sapphires.

These stones form in different ways, such as inside the earth's mantle, at tectonic plate boundaries, at asteroid impact sites, or even in space. Once found, skilled artisans cut and polish them to create beautiful jewelry like rings, earrings, and pendants.

While natural gemstones tend to be more expensive, they can be a good investment since their value often increases over time. If you're thinking about buying a natural gemstone, it's important to do your research. Not all natural stones are the same, and some can be worth more than others. Choosing a trustworthy store can help ensure you get the best quality for your money.

Types of Natural Gemstones

Here are some major types of natural gemstones, organized by their characteristics:

Precious Gemstones

Diamond: Very hard (10 on the Mohs scale) and shiny; made of carbon.
Ruby: A red variety of corundum, thanks to chromium; hardness is 9.
Sapphire: Another type of corundum comes in many colors (except red), with blue being the most famous; hardness is 9.
Emerald: A green beryl colored by chromium and vanadium; hardness is 7.5-8.

Semi-Precious Gemstones

Amethyst: A purple quartz; hardness is 7.
Aquamarine: A blue to greenish-blue beryl; hardness is 7.5-8.
Citrine: A yellow to brownish quartz; hardness is 7.
Garnet: Comes in many colors, including red, green, yellow, and orange; hardness is 6.5-7.5.
Opal: Known for its colorful appearance; hardness is 5.5-6.5.
Topaz: Available in many colors, commonly blue, yellow, and colorless; hardness is 8.
Tourmaline: Comes in a variety of colors; hardness is 7-7.5.
Turquoise: Known for its blue to greenish-blue color; hardness is 5-6.

Other Notable Gemstones

Alexandrite: Changes color; hardness is 8.5.
Lapis Lazuli: Deep blue with gold flecks; hardness is 5-6.
Peridot: A green gemstone; hardness is 6.5-7.
Spinel: Comes in various colors, often confused with ruby and sapphire; hardness is 8.
Zircon: It is different from cubic zirconia; comes in many colors; hardness is 6-7.5.

Organic Gemstones

Amber: Fossilized tree resin, usually yellow to orange-brown; hardness is 2-2.5.
Coral: Made from marine organisms, typically red, pink, or white; hardness is 3-4.
Pearl: Formed in oysters, valued for its shine and color; hardness is 2.5-4.5.
Jet: A black form of lignite used in jewelry; hardness is 2.5-4.

Phenomenal Gemstones

Moonstone: Has a moving bluish-white light on its surface; hardness is 6-6.5.
Star Sapphire/Ruby: Shows a star-like pattern; hardness is 9.
Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl: Displays a "cat's eye" effect; hardness is 8.5.

Each type of gemstone has unique properties like hardness, color, and special visual effects.

Where are Gemstones Found in Nature?

There are over 200 types of natural gemstones, and they can be found all around the world. Many gemstones are located deep underground and are discovered through mining. Others can be found near volcanoes, craters, hot springs, or fault lines.

If you're interested in hunting for your own gemstones, you might be closer than you think! There are public gemstone mines in several states like New Mexico, North Carolina, Arkansas, and California.

How do Gemstones Form in Nature?

Most natural gemstones were formed thousands or even millions of years ago through one of three processes:

Metamorphic Gemstones: These gemstones, like tanzanite, garnet, ruby, sapphire, emerald, and spinel, are created deep in the earth under extreme heat and pressure. This causes existing rocks to change their chemical structure and properties.
Igneous Gemstones: Gemstones like tourmaline, aquamarine, topaz, and kunzite form when minerals crystallize in small spaces left by cooling magma. Over time, hot water can carry additional chemicals into these spaces, leading to the formation of gemstones like amethyst, larimar, and fire opal.
Sedimentary Gemstones: Jet, aragonite, and calcite are examples of sedimentary gemstones. They form when bits of eroded rock, shells, minerals, or other materials get cemented together.

What are Lab Created Gemstones?

Lab-created gemstones are made in a laboratory using a process similar to how natural stones form underground. The main difference is that lab-created stones are cheaper and quicker to produce. They may also be called "synthetic," "artificial," "man-made," or "lab-grown," but they have the same qualities as mined gemstones.

During the creation process, mineral crystals are formed, resulting in stones that have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural ones. This can happen in two ways:

High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT): A small gemstone seed is placed in carbon and exposed to extreme pressure and high temperatures, similar to conditions deep in the earth. When the carbon melts and cools, it forms a crystallized stone.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): A small gemstone seed is heated in a chamber with gas, like methane. Tiny layers of crystal slowly grow on the seed until a complete stone forms.

Are lab-created gemstones real? Yes! They have the same properties as natural gemstones, but they are made in a different way. Many people choose lab-created stones, like lab-grown diamonds, for engagement rings because they are more affordable than mined stones.

Types of Lab Created Gemstones

Synthetic Gemstones: These are made in a lab and have the same chemical makeup and structure as natural gemstones. For example, a synthetic diamond is a real diamond; the only difference is that it's made in a lab, making it more affordable.
Man-Made Gemstones: These are created materials that don't have natural versions. Examples include plastic and Swarovski crystals.
Simulants: These are imitation stones that look like more expensive gemstones but don't have the same chemical makeup. Simulants can be natural or lab-created:

Natural Simulant: A different gemstone that resembles another stone.
Lab-Created Simulant: A non-gemstone material that looks similar to a gemstone.

How are Lab Created Gemstones Formed?

Lab-grown gemstones are created using various methods to mimic the conditions under which natural crystals form. Here are some common techniques and materials used:

Glass: Glass can imitate many gemstones in surprising ways. Different colors, translucencies, and optical effects can be achieved, but glass is not crystalline like most gemstones.
Ceramics: This type of ceramic is different from what you find in dishes. It includes materials used to make imitation opaque gems like turquoise, coral, and lapis. This method has been around since ancient Egypt.
Flame Fusion (Verneuil): This technique creates synthetic rubies by sprinkling powdered materials through a flame. As it cools, the powders crystallize into a boule crystal. It's used to make synthetic ruby, sapphire, and spinel, often in colors not found in nature.
Flux-Grown: This method mimics the natural environment where gems form. It uses a crucible and controlled heat to dissolve raw materials in fluxes, allowing them to crystallize slowly. This process creates natural-looking inclusions but takes longer and is more expensive. It can produce synthetic spinel, ruby, sapphire, and emerald.
Hydrothermal: In this process, crystals form in a fluid inside a pressure-controlled container called an autoclave. This method creates inclusions and features similar to natural gemstones but is slower and pricier. It's used for making synthetic alexandrites, quartzes, and emeralds.
Skull Melt: This process is used exclusively for cubic zirconia due to the high temperatures required. Instead of a melting metal container, a layer of cubic zirconia creates its own self-crucible. Radiofrequency heat melts the material while the edges are cooled with water, giving it a whitish look, which is why it's called "skull melt."
Czochralski Pull and Zone Melt: These methods start with raw powder that is melted into a single large crystal. In zone melt, the powder is tightly packed into a tube and heated along its length. In the Czochralski pull method, a seed crystal is slowly lifted from melted materials, forming a crystal as it cools. Both methods produce very clean crystals, making them suitable for industrial uses like lasers. Popular gemstones made this way include sapphire, ruby, and alexandrite.

What are the Differences Between Natural and Lab Created Gemstones?

The main difference between lab-created gemstones and natural gemstones is how they are made. Lab-created gems are produced in a controlled environment using advanced technology, resulting in more consistent quality and color. Natural gemstones, on the other hand, are formed by nature over millions of years, which can lead to imperfections.

Here's a closer look at the differences:

Appearance: Lab-created gemstones often look more uniform and are made from cheaper materials. Natural gemstones have unique variations in color, clarity, and cut because they are formed over time by nature. Both types are graded using the four C's (cut, color, clarity, and carat).
Cost: Natural gemstones are rarer and must be mined, making them more expensive. Lab-created gemstones usually cost less because they are produced in larger quantities.
Durability: Lab-created gemstones are often made from stronger materials, making them more resistant to wear & tear. Natural gemstones can be more fragile, depending on the type.
Eco-Friendliness: Mining for natural gemstones can harm the environment, causing water contamination, soil loss, and habitat destruction. It can also be dangerous for workers. Lab-created gemstones are generally conflict-free and have less amount of carbon footprint because they require less energy to produce and avoid human rights issues.
Formation Time: Natural gemstones take a long time to form—ranging from hundreds of thousands to billions of years. In contrast, lab-grown gemstones can be created in a few weeks to a year, allowing them to be produced on demand.
Value: Natural gemstones are usually more valuable because of their rarity and formation process, and their value tends to increase over time. Lab-created gemstones hold less value, making them more affordable initially but resulting in lower returns if you decide to sell.

Overall, it's hard to see physical differences between lab-created and natural gemstones without special equipment. The biggest differences lie in their creation process and value, which is why many people choose lab-created gems for their similar appearance and lower cost.

Are Imitation or Simulated Gemstones the Same as Lab Created Gemstones?

Many people think that imitation or simulated gemstones are the same as lab-created ones, but that's not true. There are important differences between the two.

Simulated gemstones are made using cheaper materials like glass, plastic, or a different type of stone. While they look like natural gems, their makeup and how they are made are different from genuine gemstones.

Imitation or simulated gemstones are mostly used in costume jewelry and are less valuable than lab-created gems. They aren't as rare or durable. Lab-created gemstones are real stones that last longer and hold their value better over time.

Some jewelers may be honest about selling simulated stones, but some sellers might not clearly explain what they're selling. So, it's important to do your research about the stones and where you're buying them from.

The Best Option to Choose

Choosing between natural gemstones and lab-created gemstones depends on your needs. If you want affordable gems, lab-created stones are a good option. But if you're looking for something rare and valuable, natural gemstones are the way to go.

The main difference matters if you're buying for investment. Natural diamonds usually keep about 50% of their original value when you sell them. In contrast, lab-created diamonds often don't hold any value when you try to sell them.

Conclusion

Natural and lab-grown gemstones each have their advantages and disadvantages. Some people like to pay more for the rarity and unique beauty of natural gemstones. Others appreciate that lab-grown gemstones offer consistent color, nearly perfect clarity, and larger sizes at more affordable prices. In the end, the choice is yours. Always feel free to ask the seller about where a gemstone comes from and if it has been treated or enhanced in any way.