Let’s be honest – When it comes to creating gemstones, nature has always been the reigning champ. And we can totally see why! After all, Mother Earth has been churning out precious stones for millennia. But thanks to human ingenuity, she’s been facing some stiff competition over the last few decades. Enter: Lab-grown sapphires, emeralds and rubies – the sparklers that have never felt a tectonic plate shift in their lives.
What are they, you ask? Well, that’s what we plan on answering today! Join us as we take you through the Big 3 of precious coloured stones, i.e., lab-created sapphires, lab-created emeralds and lab-created rubies and talk about the unique ways in which they differ from their natural counterparts.
What Are Lab-Grown Sapphires?
Of course, man-made sapphires don’t really fall within your regular costume jewellery bracket. These beauties are crafted by recreating the same magical conditions under which Mother Nature births her precious gems. This essentially means that they share the same physical, chemical and optical properties as their naturally occurring counterparts.
But here’s where things get really interesting – The biggest difference between natural vs. lab-grown sapphires is their price tags.
Owing to their lack of rarity, lab-grown sapphires don’t come with the same jaw-dropping price tag as their natural siblings.
So, if you’re on the hunt for that ‘something blue’ to grace your wedding day or planning to pop the big question with a dazzling engagement ring, look no further. Our lab-grown blue sapphire wedding rings and lab-grown blue sapphire engagement rings are here to make your dreams come true without emptying your pockets.
Did You Know?
That lab-grown sapphires have been around for quite some time.
The history books can’t seem to agree on the exact date of their birth, but the general consensus is that the first synthetic sapphire made its debut in the 19th century. Some say it happened in 1873, while others argue that the mid-1900s saw the creation of these splendid stones. Either way, it’s safe to say that humans have been tinkering with sapphires for a while, and it’s about time we all hopped on the lab-grown sapphire bandwagon.
Now that you know all about these gems and more importantly, how lab-grown sapphires are made in the lab, let’s move on to the next gemstone.
What Are Lab-Grown Emeralds?
A lab-grown emerald is exactly what it sounds like – An emerald that has been cultivated and nurtured in the cozy, controlled environment of a labouratory. Think of it as nature’s well-behaved, labouratory-raised child who grew up to be the gem of your dreams.
Interestingly, these emeralds are created by replicating the very same conditions Mother Nature uses to forge her own gemstone wonders. That’s right, we’re talking high temperatures, high pressure and well, a lot less patience. You know what that means? The next time someone asks you how lab-grown emeralds are made, you know exactly what to say.
Now we know what you’re thinking, “Aren’t these gems just knockoffs?” Our response: Absolutely not!
These sparklers proudly share all the same attributes as their naturally occurring counterparts. So, if you’re ever in the mood to treat yourself to a few lab-grown jewellery pieces like a lab-grown emerald ring or a pair of lab-grown emerald earrings, by all means, go ahead!
Trust us, you’ll be treating yourself to the real deal.
Also Read: Reasons to Buy Lab-Grown Diamond jewellery
A Short History of Lab-Grown Emeralds
Picture this: You’ve gone for a night out on the town with the perfect plus one – Your gorgeous lab-grown emerald engagement ring (P.S. You can replace it with a lab-grown emerald wedding ring or a lab-grown emerald necklace if that’s more your speed). The jewellery piece is so well crafted that people can’t help but stop and stare. And that’s when the questions start to roll in – How much did your piece cost? Where did you get it from and most importantly, what is the history of this man-made emerald?
And if the last question stumps you, you should probably pay attention to this short history lesson.
Contrary to popular belief, lab-grown emeralds do not have a long history. In fact, it majorly began in the mid-1920s when a scientist by the name of Richard Nacken took on the audacious challenge of growing the first man-made emeralds of facetable size and quality.
Now, we’re not entirely sure what he was thinking at the time, but we imagine it was something along the lines of “Hey, why wait for Mother Nature to do her thing? I’m gonna make my own emeralds!” And you know what? He did just that! And the rest was a fairytale…
Want to know the best part? Nacken could have teamed up with some scientists at IG Farben in the mid-1930s, but it seems he wanted to keep his gem-growing secrets all to himself. So, the technique used to create these gems was entirely his own creation. Pretty cool, huh?
What Are Lab-Grown Rubies?
Just like their lab-grown gemstone siblings, sapphires and emeralds, lab-grown rubies are the result of scientific wizardry. Instead of being made deep within the Earth, these rubies are made by recreating the cosmic conditions under which their natural counterparts are formed.
Needless to say, man-made rubies are not some fake imposters trying to infiltrate the world of gemstones. No matter how many times your great-uncle Wilbur may debate the topic ‘natural vs. lab-grown rubies’ at family gatherings, these beauties are 100% bona fide, legitimate, card-carrying members of the ruby tribe.
Apart from sharing the same physical, chemical and optical properties as their wild, underground cousins, these glittering beauties share the same symbolisms as well, i.e., love and passion. So, if you’re in the market for a romantic stunner that reflects your love, why not consider a lab-grown ruby engagement ring or a lab-grown ruby wedding ring?
Now that you know how lab-grown rubies are created and why lab-grown ruby rings are the perfect option for you, let’s discuss the question on everyone’s minds.
Also Read: What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Natural vs. Lab-Grown Gemstones: What’s the Difference?
| Natural Gemstones | Lab-Grown Gemstones |
| Precious gems formed deep within the Earth | Precious gems created in a lab |
| Relatively rare | Easily available |
| Typically contain inclusions | Feature few to no inclusions |
| Premium gemstones are expensive | Comparatively more affordable |
1. Definition
Natural Gemstones:
In short, natural gems are the result of Earth’s eons-old recipe for sparkle. They’re nature’s own creations, formed over millions of years, deep within the Earth.
Lab-Grown Gemstones:
On the other hand, lab-grown gemstones are the brainchildren of human ingenuity. While Mother Nature was crafting these sparklers the old-fashioned way, scientists decided to speed up the process by creating these stunners in a lab.
But here’s the kicker – despite their expedited birth, lab-grown gemstones possess the same optical, physical and chemical structure as their natural counterparts.
2. Rarity
Natural Gemstones:
These exquisite gems are like the divas of the geological world. They take their own sweet time to shine, requiring millions of years of nature’s TLC to come into existence. Needless to say, this fact makes them relatively rare.
Lab-Grown Gemstones:
More often than not, when people ask us, “What’s the biggest difference between natural vs. lab-grown emeralds (or any other gemstone for that matter)?” we say it’s all about rarity.
Unlike their natural counterparts, these gems couldn’t be bothered with the Earth’s million-year production queue. They’re the CEOs of cutting through the red tape. And thanks to cutting-edge technology, scientists have not only managed to mimic the natural environment in which these gems are formed but have also been able to expedite the process. As such, lab-grown gemstones are relatively more accessible.
3. Inclusions
Natural Gemstones:
These rock stars are often speckled with inclusions – little imperfections that give each gem its own unique character. Inclusions are like the gem’s signature birthmark, and they can make a gem look positively dreamy.
Just think of emeralds, for instance – they’re like Mother Nature’s work of art, complete with tiny green flaws that give the stone a jaw-dropping mossy/garden-like effect.
Jardin anyone?
Lab-Grown Gemstones:
Contrary to their natural counterparts, lab-grown gemstones are created in labouratories under the watchful eye of scientists who are more attentive than your grandma during a family dinner.
The result? Gemstones with little to no inclusions. So, if you’re a fan of clarity and are not fond of surprises, then these stones are sure to be your jam.
4. Value
Natural Gemstones:
When you hear the words ‘precious gem,’ what comes to mind? Rarity, desirability and a touch of glamor, right? Well, you’re on the right track!
Natural gemstones are the epitome of exclusivity. Owning a premium version of these beauties is like having a backstage pass to Earth’s exclusive club where the entrance fee is a fortune.
But hey, who said owning a piece of history was easy? We’re certainly up for the challenge *wink wink*
Lab-Grown Gemstones:
Lab-grown gemstones are the budget-friendly sparklers we’ve all been secretly hoping for.
Imagine browsing jewellery online, coming across a dazzling coloured gemstone and realizing you won’t have to sacrifice an arm and a leg to make it yours. Lab-grown gems offer that very opportunity.
In fact, you can probably snag a lab-grown gem for a fraction of the cost of a natural one. So, you won’t just be saving money; you’ll also have extra cash for that matching necklace, earrings and maybe even a vacation to a place that has nothing to do with rocks.
That’s a total win-win in our books!
Now that you know everything there is to know about lab-grown sapphires, emeralds and rubies, what are you waiting for? Go out there and grab yourself a stunner now.
