What is the Difference between Natural and Created Gem Stones

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You may have heard the words “created” versus “genuine” when describing gemstones. Yet what exactly does it signify when it comes to the gems you wear in jewelry? There are some key differences between the two types.
As the name suggests, a natural gemstone is one that was grown naturally and found in the earth. Of course it may still be transformed after it came from the earth. It will be cut and possibly chemically treated to enhance clarity or color. Still, it is a natural stone.
Created gems, on the other hand, are created in a lab using a scientific procedure. According to All About Gemstones, they use a “seed” of a natural gemstone in order to grow the new stones. The stone will have the same chemical properties as the natural stone. Because researchers can control many factors, these created stones are of the highest quality. Typically you cannot see any imperfections. They are clear and uniform.
There are advantages and disadvantages to purchasing each type of stone. The advantage to getting a natural stone is exactly that – to be able to say that you got a stone straight from the earth. Some people feel that this makes it intrinsically more valuable. Of course many of these stones have imperfections and the price tag can get very high, especially for a clear stone that has few imperfections and is deep in color.
The advantage of buying a created stone is that you can get a large, clear, beautiful stone for a small fraction of the price of the natural stone. Many people are content enough with the fact that it is chemically the same. You could get a stone for under a hundred dollars that otherwise might have cost in the thousands. For many woman it allows them to buy much nicer looking stones. It also widens the selection available significantly.
The more expensive precious stones are more likely to come in simulated varieties because of the cost. These include emerald, sapphire and ruby. Most places that sell jewelry sell the created version right next to the natural ones. The jeweler will be able to tell you whether it is real or created.
It is important to note that a “simulated” gemstone is usually not the same as a created gemstone. Simulated generally refers to a stone that does not at all have the properties of the gemstone except that it looks like it. It is typically made of crystal or glass.
Both natural and created gemstones create beautiful pieces of jewelry. Weigh the benefits of each when deciding which you want in your wardrobe.