A Beginner's Guide to Identifying Natural vs. Synthetic Gemstones
People have been intrigued by gemstones from all over the world for centuries, whether for the use of adornment, spiritual connections, or just collecting them because they are beautiful. The difference between natural and synthetic stones can be very hard to determine with technological advancement, especially if a person is a beginner. If you are going to buy a gemstone for yourself or as an investment, it is quite important to know how to spot the difference. Here, in this beginner's guide, we will discuss the major differences between natural and synthetic stones and practical tips to spot them.
Identifying Major Differences among Natural vs. Synthetic Stones
Before identification begins, it is essential to understand what does natural mean, and what is synthetic in a gemstone.
Natural Gemstones: These are stones that are naturally created inside the Earth over millions of years. They are taken out of the earth and are generally valued for the originality of inclusions and beauty.
Synthetic Gemstones: Also referred to as laboratory or man-made gemstones, synthetic are produced within the laboratory. They have the same chemical composition, physical properties, and overall appearance as natural gemstones but take only a fraction of the time it would take to create the same quality in a natural gemstone production process.
Even if they have the same high levels of beauty, the origins and values of such gemstones are light years apart.
One of the most reliable ways to differentiate between natural and synthetic gemstones is by examining inclusions, which are tiny imperfections or foreign materials trapped inside the stone during its formation.
Natural Gemstones: Normally, they carry characteristic inclusions like minerals, gas bubbles, or fractures, which were formed naturally. These imperfections are thought of as a type of hallmark in the stone, an indicative part of its value.
Lab-Created Gemstones: Lab-created gemstones can also have inclusions, and are usually more consistent or differ when magnified. For instance, the lab-created stones may show some curved growth lines, which, according to experts, is an indication that it is not natural.
The inclusions can be seen using a jeweler's loupe or even a microscope.
The Color of the Gemstone
Color can also be an indication of whether a gemstone is natural or synthetic.
Natural Gemstones: All stones, even of the same kind, tend to come in a very broad spectrum of color. This is due to the natural processes affecting a stone's formation, such as the presence of trace elements.
Synthetic Gemstones: Usually the colours are more consistent and more dazzling in the synthetic stones, as they were subjected to unchanging conditions of temperature and pressure. So if the colour is too beautiful but too regular and even, it could be a hint that the gemstone is not natural.
Remember at the same time, the colour is not a positive factor in the identification of stones as of one or the other nature.
Natural Gemstones: Gemstone hardiness can also happen to deduce whether the mineral is natural or synthetic. The scale of hardness used for gemstones is the Mohs scale, which is represented on a scale from 1 to 10, wherein 1 is the lowest and 10 is the highest. For example, the diamond, one of the hardest in the world, should mark 10 on the Mohs scale.
Synthetic Gemstones: Though synthetic gemstones are mostly created in a manner that equals hardness of the natural stones, yet slight differences can pop out on testing. Though this test becomes genuine when applied with other tests. Hardness Testing This test requires professional tools and should be conducted by a professional jeweler.
One of the easiest ways to confirm your purchase is to ask for certification and documentation from the dealer.
Natural Gemstones: The seller should give you a certificate from the gemological laboratory to show that the stone is real and also provide the characteristics of the stone.
Synthetic Gemstones: Synthetic gemstones can also be certified, and you will have to make sure to specifically check in the document if the gemstone is clearly mentioned as lab-created. Also, when purchasing gemstones, remember to ask for the documentation.
Being certified should give you worthwhile peace of mind, as the stone you are getting is just what you paid for.
When in doubt, consult a professional gemologist. A trained specialist with the right equipment and knowledge can tell the difference between naturally occurring stones and synthetic stones.
Natural Gemstones: A gemologist can provide an opinion that states the origin, authenticity, and the value which the stone is representing.
Synthetic Gemstones: They can also inform you that the gemstone is a synthetic and how exactly a synthetic stone is different with comparison to its natural counterpart.
This expert appraisal will come very handy, specifically for high-value acquisitions or while investing in gemstone.
Differing between synthetic and natural gemstones can be rather difficult, especially for a novice. However, considering inclusions, color, hardness testing, certification, and asking a professional for advice can help one make the right decision.
For whatever purpose you're buying the gemstones—for personal enjoyment or an investment—you've got to know the difference between a natural and a synthetic stone to ensure that you get the value you expect.
Comments
Post Comments