JR Gemstones - Natural v.s. Synthetic

Gemstones:

Natural v.s. Synthetic

Terminology:

Natural:

The term "Natural" refers to a gemstone that is 100% created by nature, or has a natural origin from the earth. Without any human involvement (aside of the cut and polishing process) during it's creation. Most stones out in today's market are varied, depending on the rarity/availability of the stone.

Simulated:

Simulated is the Man-Made copy of a Natural stone. Chemically identical to that of the Natural counterpart, but grown in lab conditions. Synthetics are usually made for a substitute for an expensive stone, but there are cases where they are intentionally sold to unsuspecting dealers as a "Natural" stone. Most often, precious stones are mostly replicated in a lab. Diamonds, Opals, Emeralds, Rubies, and Sapphires are prime examples.

Synthetic:

Synthetic refers to man-made stones with no natural counterpart in nature; such as YAG, GGG, CZ, Moissonite, and acrylic gemstones. Glass is somewhat a gray area since there IS a natural version of glass called obsidian (volcanic glass) and moldavite (glass usually formed from an extra terrestrial impact).

-Without physically examining the stone under a trained eye and/or equipment, it is difficult to determine if the stone is natural or not.-

Stones:

Ruby:

The red to reddish-pink variety of the mineral Corundum. With a superior mineral hardness of a 9 on the Moh's Scale, it is often replicated in a lab to use in jewelry.

This is a simulated Ruby.

This is a Natural Ruby.

To the untrained eye, these two Rubies look the same, but there are a few differences. Clarity is an obvious difference, but you can't always goes by the visible inclusions without either a strong enough loupe or microscope. Another tool can be used such as a Refractometer. To check it's light signature. Further pictures below shows the inclusions of both the Natural, and Simulated Rubies.

This picture is what a Natural Ruby looks like

up close with a strong enough loupe. Inclusions in this Ruby are result to natural crystal growth.

This picture is what a Simulated Ruby looks like

up close with a strong enough loupe. These veil-like inclusions are indications of lab growth.

Star Ruby:

Star Rubies are a little easier to identify if they are Natural or not. First red flag, the Star is too perfect and doesn't glide with the light. Also when the light shines on the star, and it appears to be a thick star, chances are it's a diffused (simulated) stone.

This picture depicts a Synthetic Star Ruby. Star appears to be too perfect and straight. Color is a matted and dull.

This picture depicts a Natural (Good Grade) Star Ruby. Star has some imperfections, not as perfectly straight, and color has slight uneven tones.

Rough Ruby:

Rubies in Natural are not always terminated (have pointed or near pointed ends); but they almost always has some inclusions inside them. To see the difference between what natural rubies and synthetic rubies looks like before they are cut and polished (faceted) into gemstones.

This picture depicts a Natural Ruby Crystal Low Grade.

This picture depicts a Flame Fusion Lab Grown Ruby Crystal. Also known as a "Boule."

Sapphire:

Sapphire is often known for their blue variety, but in fact sapphires can come in every color in the spectrum. Rubies are the pinkish-red to red variety of the mineral Corundum. Sapphires has a superior mineral hardness of a 9 on the Moh's Scale. This hardness makes it ideal for all types of jewelry.

This picture depicts a Natural Blue Sapphire.

This picture depicts a Synthetic Blue Sapphire.

Sapphires and Rubies tend to have either similar or identical (in characteristic) inclusions since they're both Aluminum Oxide (AlO3). The difference in the elements is responsible for the colors. Rubies are colored by Chromium and Iron, while Blue Sapphires are colored by Titanium and Iron.

The Natural Sapphire above has uneven coloration, as the Synthetic Sapphire has a solid color and few to no inclusions to the unaided eye. They both have identical chemical make up, but differ in microscopic inclusions.

This picture depicts inclusions of a Synthetic Blue Sapphire. The veil-like inclusions are liquid filled chambers trapped within the crystal.

This picture depicts inclusions of a Natural (Untreated) Blue Sapphire. The needle-like inclusions are due to crystal formation.

Star Sapphire:

Like Star Rubies, Star Sapphires are have very similar characteristics; but in a more wide range of colors other than reds and pinks. To the untrained eye, they can often be misidentified as real if they are in fact a synthetic. Star Sapphires have the phenomena called, "asterism." This effect is due to microscopic needle-like inclusions called "rutile." Although rare in nature, this effect can be replicated in lab grown Corundum. Star Sapphires can come in every color, but some more rare than others; most common is black.

This is a picture of a Natural Star Sapphire.

This is a picture of a Synthetic Star Sapphire. Color of stone is more uniform and matted. Color saturation can be the same in natural counterparts.

Sapphire Crystal (Natural v.s. Synthetic):

There are obvious differences between the natural and synthetic counterparts in the rough form. Natural Corundum crystals are usually terminated (or evidence of termination), as the synthetic form is shaped as a bottle, but identical in hardness, mineral composition, and color.

This is a picture of a Natural Corundum var. Sapphire Crystal. Doubly terminated, Fair Grade.

This is a picture of Synthetic Corundum var. Fancy Sapphire Boules. No terminations, well even color saturation, made to imitate the natural counterparts. Often used to simulate other variety of gemstones.

Emerald:

The precious and very coveted green variety of the Mineral Beryl. Emeralds both natural and synthetic have very similar characteristics, but to the well trained eye, and equipment, one can tell the difference between the two. In fact, Emeralds are among the top few to be tolerated with natural inclusions. Each inclusion is unique from one-another. Inclusions (aka yarden; French word meaning garden), helps identify each individual stone, as well as unlocking the Emerald's origin.

This is a picture of a Natural Columbian Emerald, from the Muzo Mine. Even color saturation, yarden is evident within the stone.

This is a picture of a Simulated Emerald. Even color saturation, almost no yarden, overall stone is too perfect almost glassy.

Emerald Inclusions:

Emeralds almost always has distinct inclusions. These inclusions doesn't always hurt the value, but at times can help with the value of the stone. The yarden of the stone is like a birthmark from the stones creation.

This is a picture of a Natural Columbian Emerald yarden up close.

This is a picture of a Simulated Emerald yarden up close. Inclusions are more veil-like.

Emerald Crystals (Natural v.s. Simulated):

Natural Emerald Crystals are usually flawed, making it easier to tell if they are natural. Although, imitations can also have inclusions in them too, which are increasingly making it more difficult to tell the difference.