Synthetic vs. Imitation Gemstones: What You Should Know Before Buying

Gemstones can be a little intimidating because there’s so much to know about them. The world of colored gemstones is vast and continues to become larger as new stones are discovered (or grown in a lab).

All types of jewelry industry terms are used to describe gemstones and you’ve likely heard words such as synthetic or imitation when talking about gemstones. But what do these words mean? How do they differ from each other? Are there any similarities at all?

It’s easy to get confused by all the terminology, which can make shopping a frustrating experience. But don’t worry—we’re here to clear things up so you can feel confident and informed when you head out or log on to shop for your next piece of colored gemstone jewelry.

What Are Synthetic Gemstones?

Synthetic gemstones are defined as being manmade instead of earth-made, meaning they are grown in a lab under controlled conditions. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that synthetic gemstones share the same properties as their natural counterparts. This means that they have the same chemical, physical, and visual properties. How is this even possible? Let's explore that next. 

How Are Synthetic Gemstones Made?

With advances in technology, gemologists can analyze natural gemstones to determine their exact composition, then recreate those same minerals in a controlled environment to produce identical gems. There are several different ways to grow synthetic gemstones, one of them being the flame fusion method. This technique is also known as the Verneuil process. It involves melting powdered gemstone materials at extremely high temperatures and then allowing them to cool and solidify into a large crystal. The crystal is then faceted and polished to create a synthetic gemstone.

Another method is hydrothermal growth, in which labs replicate the natural conditions under which gemstones form within the earth, allowing synthetic gems to grow in a similar environment.

Yet another process is the Czochralski method, which is often used for synthetic alexandrites and rubies, and carefully controls the growth of the crystals within the gemstone. This is especially important in color-changing gemstones such as alexandrite because the crystal growth structure and materials will affect the ability of the stone to successfully change color depending upon the light source.

One last method worth mentioning is flux growth, which tends to be slower because a liquid gemstone solution is utilized to allow crystals to grow.

Each of these processes allows synthetic gemstones to grow from the same minerals that make up the natural version of the gemstone, which ensures that they are identical in chemical and visual properties. 

What Are Imitation Gemstones?

Now let’s dive into imitation gemstones, which are not identical to their natural counterparts.

Imitation gemstones are made to look as close as possible to the real gemstone, but they are not made of similar materials. Imitation gemstones can be made from a variety of materials, including glass, plastic, cubic zirconia, or other inexpensive gem material. While they can look similar in color to the natural stone they are emulating, they will not truly have the same appearance, as glass and plastic cannot emulate the same sparkle, nor can it show inclusions or crystal structure. They are also nowhere near as durable and may not hold up if worn often.

Imitation gemstones are most often used in costume jewelry and are not meant to be a true replacement for the natural gemstone version. 

Why Choose Synthetic Gemstones?

Synthetic gemstones can be a great option for many reasons, price point being the most apparent. Synthetic gemstones can be significantly less expensive than the natural version and are still chemically and visually a “real” gemstone.

Another compelling reason is the ethics of gemstone mining. Many people are against gemstone mining because of labor concerns and the fact that it has a negative effect on the environment. Since synthetic gemstones are grown in a lab, you’re able to enjoy the gemstone without the ethical concerns that come along with it.

Additionally, each naturally mined gemstone is different and unpredictable, whereas synthetic gemstones are fairly consistent and predictable due to the fact that their growing environment is so strictly controlled. This can be a benefit if you’re hoping to purchase multiple gemstones and want them to match as closely as possible. 

Why Choose Imitation Gemstones?

Imitation gemstones are a nice choice in several situations. They are very inexpensive, so can be great for jewelry that you’re purchasing for trend-related purposes as opposed to something you plan to wear for a long period of time. They’re also a great option for children who want to feel special wearing their own piece of jewelry, but who may be too young to reliably care for a more expensive alternative.

Additional Considerations

Once you fully understand the difference between synthetic and imitation gemstones, differentiating between the two will be a lot easier than you may have previously thought. Visually, while synthetic gemstones will show crystal structure and inclusions, imitation will not. Synthetic gemstones also reflect light better than imitation stones, thanks to their crystal structure, which mimics natural gems—unlike imitation stones made of glass or plastic.

Price will also be a major determining factor, as imitation gemstones will be significantly less expensive than synthetic. 

Which One is Right for You?

There’s no right answer to this question.

If you want to purchase a gemstone that can truly look (and last) like the natural counterpart, synthetic is the way to go. It has the potential to last a long time and be passed down to future generations if treated with respect and care.

If you’re just looking for something very affordable that you don’t necessarily care if you lose or don’t wear next year, imitation is definitely the answer.

Final Thoughts 

It’s certainly true that, at first, shopping for gemstones can seem confusing or overwhelming. However, once you learn the basics and understand what differentiates gems from each other, it becomes a lot easier to shop for them. Dare we say it can even be fun!

The important thing to remember when it comes to differentiating between synthetic and imitation gemstones is that synthetic is made of the same gemstone material, whereas imitation is not.

Understanding the exact composition of gemstones and how they are made is not absolutely necessary, but it does help. Now that you know the difference, we encourage you to go forth and start shopping for your next gemstone jewelry piece with the confidence of an informed consumer.