Modern technology means that rather than mining gemstones, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and other rare stones can now be synthetically manufactured within a lab environment.
Yes, you read that right – gemstones can be lab-grown. The idea of synthetic gemstones has been around since 1902, when Auguste Verneuil created the first gem (a ruby) in a laboratory using the Flame Fusion method. However, in 1954, groundbreaking gem-creating technologies emerged, and we can now mass-produce gemstones in the lab using a similar process to that of natural gems formed in the Earth.
Natural gemstones are grown by nature and extracted from the Earth, and lab-grown gemstones are man-made in a laboratory. Traditional gemstones have always been favoured; however, lab-grown gemstones are gaining popularity.
Lab-grown gemstones are created in a laboratory, where the process mimics the one that produces natural coloured gemstones – exposure to extreme pressure and high temperatures. Gemstones created in a lab have made the process of acquiring gemstones quicker and more affordable than sourcing natural gemstones.
Natural gemstones are created beneath the surface of the Earth for millions of years and must be mined. Popular gemstones include emeralds, pearls, rubies, and sapphires, among 300+ others. Once the gemstone is extracted from the Earth, the stone is cut and polished to be sold or made into jewellery.
Yes, as mentioned above, gemstones can be lab-grown. There are two methods by which gemstones are created in a lab: melt and solution.
Lab-grown gemstones have many of the same chemical, optical, and physical characteristics as natural gemstones and can be made to order too! However, due to the similarity between natural and lab-grown gemstones, industry organisations, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the International Coloured Gemstone Association (ICA), and the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), have formulated strict guidelines for marketing and selling purposes. As the most renowned diamond verification and grading authority, the GIA grades coloured gemstones based on their cutting style, shape, weight, measurement, and colour.
The process by which natural and lab-grown gemstones are created will significantly impact the stone's appearance. Lab-grown gemstones are made in a controlled environment and, therefore, have a more uniform appearance with fewer inclusions and imperfections. Natural gemstones are formed by nature over millions of years, and each stone has unique characteristics, including inclusions and blemishes.
As natural gemstones are subject to more inclusions and blemishes, the stones can have a more fragile foundation and be more susceptible to damage than lab-grown gemstones. Lab-grown gemstones are often made from stronger materials and have fewer inclusions, making the stones more durable against wear and tear.
Natural gemstones are more expensive than lab-grown gemstones. This is due to the gemstone’s rarity and the difficulty in extracting it from the Earth. Mining for gemstones is an expensive and time-consuming process that involves advanced technology, infrastructure, and a significant amount of labour. On the other hand, lab-grown gemstones are mass-produced in a laboratory through a faster and more cost-effective process, eliminating the need for mining.
Due to the formation process and rarity aspect, natural gemstones hold more value than lab-grown gems. In fact, natural gemstones will often appreciate over time. While lab-grown gemstones offer exceptional value for money, the stones are not limited in supply and will depreciate in value over time.
Creating gemstones in a laboratory comes with significantly less environmental impact than mining for gemstones. Mining can cause significant environmental harm, including the removal of vegetation, soil erosion, the displacement of fauna, noise pollution, and the release of pollutants, which can affect and damage large agricultural areas. Lab-grown gemstones are a substantially more eco-friendly practice, as they don’t require mining, generate fewer carbon emissions, and take less time in production.
Determining whether lab-grown or natural gemstones are better purely depends on personal preferences. Each variation delivers a beautiful and colourful gemstone for a jewellery piece or other adornments.
Natural gemstones are ideal for those who appreciate their history, rarity, individuality, and value. They are uniquely beautiful and retain value over time, making them an investment and an heirloom to pass down to future generations.
If you are not as concerned about resale value, then lab-grown gemstones are perfect; they are more affordable, accessible, ethical, and durable.
