What is a Synthetic Gem, an Imitation?
A synthetic gemstone is one that has all the crystalline, chemical, physical and optical properties as the natural stone it is replicating, but is a man-made product. A synthetic emerald is an emerald, but a man-made emerald. Some people call synthetic gems Lab Grown as they think the name synthetic implies fake. In the jewelry world we differentiate between a synthetic and a simulant. A simulant is something imitating a gem, it is glass or plastic or some other substance that simulates, or imitates, another stone. So green glass is a simulant (or fake) of emerald. Cubic zirconia is a simulant of diamond. Man made diamond; with all the same properties as natural diamond, is correctly called a synthetic. Synthetics and simulants are real, since they are not imaginary, but they are not natural. Generally, synthetic gems have the advantage of having the same hardness, durability and visual effect as their natural counterparts. They also usually have the benefit of appearing as a top quali
