Lab grown gemstones are popular with an increasing number of buyers each year. So, what sets these synthetic lab grown gems apart from their natural counterparts?
How they are formed
Lab grown rubies and sapphires are typically created using flame fusion, flux growth, and hydrothermal growth. Among these techniques, flame fusion is the most cost-effective method for creating any gemstone, while hydrothermal growth is the most expensive and closely mimics the conditions under which natural rubies and sapphires form. In hydrothermal growth, minerals are subjected to high temperature and pressure in a "pressure cooker," effectively replicating the natural environment in which red and blue gemstones are formed.
Natural vs. Lab Grown
- Chemical Composition: Both natural and lab-grown gemstones are primarily composed of Al2O3.
- Mineral Type: Both belong to the same mineral family – corundum.
- Crystal Structure: Both exhibit a trigonal crystal system.
Chemically and physically, these gemstones share identical material compositions, atomic structures, and crystal characteristics. Gemological laboratories classify both lab-grown and natural gems as forms of corundum. Lab grown gemstones are indeed real gemstones.
Rapid Growth in the Lab
Lab grown gemstones grow much faster. Through advanced processes, technicians can replicate the conditions under the Earth's crust where gemstones naturally form, doing so at an accelerated pace within a highly controlled laboratory environment. Growing a one-carat cut gemstone takes approximately three months. Once grown, it undergoes the same processes as any mined gemstone, involving the Four Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. The better the cut, the more it sparkles.
Lower Cost of Lab Grown Gemstones
Natural gemstones are often buried deep within the Earth, with some being exceptionally rare, requiring labor-intensive extraction methods, and thus incurring significant costs. In contrast, lab grown gemstones not only have shorter growth times. For the price of one one-carat natural gemstone, you can purchase several or even a dozen lab-grown gemstones of the same high quality.
Both Are Certifiable
Internationally recognized certification organizations like GIA, IGI, and HRD provide certification for both lab-grown and natural gemstones. The certificates for lab grown gemstones, explicitly state "Laboratory Grown."
In summary, lab grown gemstones offer a more effective and sustainable alternative to natural gemstones while maintaining the same chemical composition and crystal structure. With certifications available from reputable organizations, consumers have transparent choices when it comes to selecting the perfect gemstone for their needs.
