Making the Choice Between Real and Synthetic Gemstones

Although you may not be able to tell the difference between two different pieces of jewelry by just looking at it, there may be very real and significant differences between the pieces. The choice between something that is real and something that is not depends on your preferences and budget. Following are some terms that you can use to help you understand the difference between real and synthetic stones.

Natural Stones - These are the stones that are found in nature and have no other treatment than to be cut and polished. These are the real stones that usually have the highest price tags.

Genuine Stones - These are the stones that began as natural stones and then were treated in some way that has enhanced their appearance. There are different types of treatments commonly used to improve the appearance of stones by giving them a more desirable color or to make them shinier.

Gemstones With Regard to Their Cutting and Digging

Synthetic or Simulated Stones - These terms both mean nearly the same thing and are both used to describe laboratory created gemstones. They may also be labeled specifically as being laboratory grown. Synthetic stones are created to look like the real thing and will usually have the same appearance, properties, and size as the natural stones. Simulated stones, on the other hand, will have a similar appearance to the real stone but will have different optical, physical, and chemical properties.

An example of a simulant that is produced in the United States that most people are familiar with is cubic zirconia. While cubic zirconia has the same color and similar appearance of a diamond, it does not have the same characteristics such as the hardness or the clarity. The most expensive gemstones are those that are found in nature and have the fewest flaws. At the top of the list are rubies, which surpass all the other gemstones in value. The ruby is known for its fiery red color and is desired in part due to its rarity.

The Wide World of Gemstones

When choosing gemstones like the ruby, you can decide which characteristics matter most to you in order to choose between real or synthetic stones. If the quality of the stone and the color are important to you, then a natural stone that is nearly flawless will be the most desirable choice. However, if you are looking for a red stone for a necklace to match your new outfit and you are shopping on a budget, then a synthetic ruby will be available at a much lower price that can only be differentiated by an expert.

If you are going to purchase a real stone for its value, then it is important to purchase from a well-known, reputable dealer that you can trust. Since the real stones and the synthetics can only be determined by an expert, you don't want to risk getting less than what you are paying for!

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