Lab created emeralds and all other lab created gems are formed in a laboratory, but they’re formed by a simulation of the same processes that form them naturally. Heat, light, pressure, minerals and substances are all replicated to create the gems, albeit in a much faster and more efficient way. Lab created gemstones are real. The process is simply accelerated and refined to create them more quickly. In the fight of lab created emeralds vs natural emeralds, the only true considerations are cost and the perception of the wearer.

Cost of Emeralds

Lab created or natural?

Emeralds, which are precious gems, can be costly. Lab created emeralds cost less because the cost of creating them is less than the cost and the time spent to mine the natural stones. Another factor in the cost is that lab created gems can be created to meet demand, while natural stones have a more limited supply that pushes the cost up.

All lab created gems including emeralds, diamonds, rubies and other beautiful stones cost less than their natural counterparts, but they’re no less beautiful and no less real. In some cases, stones are sold that contain elements not found in nature. Some imitation opals, for instance, contain plastic and other elements. These are the inexpensive “fakes” that most jewelry fans want to avoid. With gems like emeralds, these kinds of fakes are more rare and can usually be spotted by the extremely cheap price tag.

Lab Created Emeralds vs Natural Emeralds: Can You Tell the Difference?

Aside from the lower cost, is there any way to easily tell the difference between lab created and genuine emeralds? At a glance, you probably can’t tell. Even if you look closely, there’s a chance you won’t be able to tell them apart. On a very close inspection, however, you’ll probably find some type of irregularity or imperfection in a genuine emerald or gem of any kind.

Lab created emeralds are flawless because of the perfect method of creation. Natural emeralds will be unique precisely from the tiny flaws that formed along with the stone from things like trapped gases or minerals. If your budget won’t expand to fit genuine emeralds in, take heart–someone admiring your emerald ring or pendant, unless they use a jeweler’s loupe to scrutinize it, won’t be able to tell the difference.

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When it comes to cheap alternatives to diamonds, Cubic Zirconia has dominated the jewelry market for many years. Cubic Zirconia rings are incredibly popular, whether they are worn as an engagement ring or just a beautiful costume or dress ring. I wrote this guide to choosing and buying Cubic Zirconia rings to tell you what you need to know about the stone, how it can be used in jewelry, and how to care for your new ring.

About Cubic Zirconia

Cubic Zirconia (sometimes called the Russian Diamond) is the most widely used simulated diamond in the market today due in large part to its low cost and ease of production. Optically Cubic Zirconia is quite similar to diamond at a glance, but a jeweler or someone very familiar with gemstones would be able to tell them apart with the naked eye, at least in the right light. This is because Cubic Zirconia has higher dispersion but a lower refractive index than a diamond, which means it has more rainbow colors but less intensity of white light in the stone. The other key difference is that unless it is specifically colored during manufacture, CZ is completely colorless. In comparison, mined diamonds have a range of subtle tints, with stones commonly used in medium priced rings and other jewelry often having a slight yellow tint. This color will often not be noticeable on its own but when a diamond is compared to a Cubic Zirconia side by side, it may stand out. However the material used to set a stone can lend some color – so a gold CZ ring can look more like a diamond, whereas a silver CZ ring tends to look a very clear white. Note that CZ gemstones can be produced with any color tint desired.

Cubic Zirconia is also flawless, with none of the inclusions often present in medium grade diamonds. So the main difference between a CZ and a diamond is that the CZ looks a little too good!

Interestingly, some manufacturers are now taking Cubic Zirconia and adding a coating of another material. This is usually a form of carbon called Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC), although some manufacturers use a layer of synthetic corundum. The end result of this coating is to change the optical properties of the stone so that it resembles a real diamond much more closely. These treatments can be effective but they also make the stone more expensive, with coated CZ jewelry costing over $150 per carat.

Buying A Cubic Zirconia Ring

Just because Cubic Zirconia is a cheaper gemstone, there is no reason to skimp on the setting! A CZ set into a well designed ring is as beautiful as any other piece of jewelry, and CZ wedding rings or engagement rings can be as elegant or complex as you like. Many couples opt for a cheaper (but still beautiful) gemstone
like a Cubic Zirconia and then spend some of the money they saved on a custom ring made just for them by a manufacturing jeweler. Sterling silver CZ rings are a very popular choice. Silver looks great and can be used to design a lovely ring just as with gold or platinum, but offers substantial savings over a gold ring.

Caring for Cubic Zirconia Rings

CZ rings have a few particular cleaning and care requirements if they are to be kept looking their best. CZ is slightly more porous than a diamond and can pick up oils or skin care products over time. CZ rings can be cleaned with mild soapy water and a small scrubbing brush, a special jewelry cleaner, or an ultrasonic cleaner.

Cubic Zirconia is also a little softer than a diamond so scratching is possible, though unlikely. Ring enhancers are sometimes used in CZ wedding ring sets where the engagement ring is a solitaire with a larger stone, to help guard against accidental damage.

Cubic Zirconia rings became popular because of the low cost, but costing less doesn’t make them any less beautiful! Many consumers don’t see it as an imitation diamond, but as a gemstone in its own right.

Browse CZ Rings from Amazon.com

Interest in the unique color of this stone has led to synthetic Alexandrite being developed, which fortunately is significantly cheaper than naturally occurring stones. This lab created Alexandrite is grown using one of several methods, usually zone melting, the Czochralski process (pulled crystals) or the flux method (the same process used to grow some lab created emeralds). Natural Alexandrite is a variety of Chrysoberyl, with its unique color resulting from the introduction of chromium while it formed. Created Alexandrite can be grown under the same conditions, resulting in crystals with similar color variations in different light, but be aware that a common alternative is to sell synthetic corundum laced with vanadium under the badge of synthetic Alexandrite. Since this stone is chemically distinct from true Alexandrite, it would more accurately be called simulated Alexandrite. A simulated gemstone is one where an alternative material is used, and the stone is only visually similar to the true version that it imitates. These gemstones can be identified as the color change only ranges between purple and pink, with no green-blue tones. True synthetic Alexandrite is harder to distinguish from the real thing as it is chemically and structurally very similar, and identification can only be done by an expert or gemologist.

Lab created Alexandrite jewelry is very affordable, with the value of small to medium created stones ranging from $20 to several hundred dollars depending on quality. Just be aware if shopping for A that true Alexandrite should always show a color change containing some kind of blue-greens through to red-purple and it may also be described as chrysoberyl rather than corundum. If not it is likely only a simulated version which while beautiful in its own right, is not true created alexandrite.

Diamonds

Diamonds are composed of carbon atoms, with various trace elements giving colors from yellow to blue or pink. Natural diamonds are mined, whereas lab created diamonds are produced in a lab by either Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) or a High Temperature High Pressure (HPHT) process. Whether mined or man made, the price of diamonds varies significantly depending on the size, color and clarity of the stone. Diamonds are one of the hardest substances known, making them well suited to frequent wear.

Moissanite

Moissanite does occur naturally, but this is extremely rare. In fact, all commercially sold Moissanite is produced in a lab. Moissanite is composed of Silicon Carbide, and as with a diamond it can be cut to any shape, with the quality of the end product depending on the skill of the gem cutter. Unlike other simulated diamonds, Moissanite is very hard, nearly as hard as a diamond in fact! This quality means that Moissanite is widely used as an industrial abrasive and tool material.

Diamonds VS Moissanite – Comparison Chart

At the end of the day, both Moissanite and diamonds are beautiful gemstones in their own right, and are well suited to jewelry applications. The much lower cost of Moissanite makes it attractive to anyone on a budget but not wanting to compromise on quality, while the range of colored diamonds available make them of interest to anyone who can overlook the price tag attached.

Buying Moissanite Jewelry Online

Finding Moissanite for sale online is easy, with Amazon being a great example of a reputable supplier, carrying a range of Moissanite earrings, Moissanite engagement rings, wedding bands and sets, and other general jewelry. Here is a look at some lovely pieces that are reasonably priced, and show the versatility of this stone. It’s worth noting that Moissanite is considered a better quality stone than Cubic Zirconia due to its hardness and brilliance. It is also a more complicated process to produce the gem, and these factors are reflected in the price to some extent.

This classic Solitaire Engagement Ring is 14K white gold, with a half carat round stone held in an elegant 6 pointed claw setting. At the time of writing, this ring was on sale for under $300!	This elegant 14k white gold Moissanite solitaire engagement ring has a 3/4 carat brilliant cut stone, claw set. A good buy at under $500. This type of ring is designed to showcase the stone, and the briliance of Moissanite will work really well with the white gold in this setting.
These Moissanite stud earrings in 14k white gold are 1/5 carat per stone, and are a modern, clean design. These are a good entry level set of earrings, retailing for $139.	Finally, these Moissanite dress earrings are 1/3 carats per earring. They are a dressy filigree design in white gold that would suit formal occasions or anywhere that calls for a little class. These earrings use a lever-back fastener and the usual sale price is in the $300 range.

Moissanite vs Cubic Zirconia & Diamonds

Interestingly, Moissanite is harder than Cubic Zirconia, coming close to a real diamond in hardness measured on the Mohs scale, rating a 9.25 vs 8.5 for a CZ. One of the key differences is its much higher level of dispersion. Dispersion in jewelry refers to the ability of the gem to split light into it’s rainbow of separate colors. The effect of this is to give Moissanite an incredible rainbow color effect compared to other diamond simulants. This certainly makes it distinguishable from a real thing, at least to an experienced observer, but many buyers actually find this a desirable quality, with their jewelry having amazing brilliance and fire. A point to consider if choosing between Moissanite vs diamonds for your next piece of jewelry.

One of the only problems with Moissanite, and it certainly is something that can be worked around, is birefringence. This quality means that light travelling through the stone is split into separate paths, giving a slightly ‘fuzzy’ appearance to the internal lines created by the facets. This can be alleviated to some extent by careful cutting of the gem, which is one reason that a reputable dealer is worth the slight extra expense.

Production

Moissanite is Silicon Carbide (SiC, also called Carborundum), and it is easy to mass produce the mineral using a mixture of coke or coal which is electrically heated to high temperatures. This process is done on an industrial scale to produce hundreds of tons of the material for use as an abrasive. However this process does not result in a gem grade material, being instead a coarse black mass. To make a true gem grade material a more controlled growth process is required. In a similar fashion to lab created diamonds, SiC is vaporized into a gas, and then introduced to a high temperature chamber containing seed crystals of Moissanite. This process can produce large crystals in less than a day.

Buying

As with any gem, shoppers are advised that you usually get what you pay for. You may be able to find cheap or discounted Moissanite on auction sites like ebay, but be aware of the language used by some retailers and make sure to read the fine print. As mentioned, Amazon carry a range of Moissanite jewelry including this range of rings, earrings and more and usually offer quite generous return policies if what you buy isn’t satisfactory for any reason.

How are created diamonds made?

As we have discussed previously, there are several main methods of producing lab diamonds. All involve creating an environment to mimic the conditions under which diamonds are produced in nature, namely that of high pressure and high temperature. These conditions are created using a series of ‘anvils’ which are designed to increase pressure by transferring force through a series of smaller and smaller surfaces. Because the diamonds grown are formed so much more quickly than in nature, the conditions must be precisely controlled. In fact, diamond producing companies like Gemesis might have experimented with millions of possible combinations of temperature, pressure and trace elements before finding te perfect combination to produce optimal diamonds.

Are lab created diamonds real?

Yes! Lab diamonds are as ‘real’ as a mined diamond. They are made out of the same material and they are grown in a similar way as in nature. They are man made, but they are real diamonds in every sense of the word.

Choosing the best lab created diamonds

Buying lab diamonds can be a perilous affair if you aren’t familiar with the terminology. Look out for words like ‘simulated’, ‘synthetic’, ‘simulant’ or similar. If you hear this language, be very clear about what you are getting. Is it a real, lab grown diamond, made out of carbon? Or is it another material manufactured to look like a diamond? One of the best ways to tell is the price. Genuine lab diamonds, while cheaper than real gems, are still very expensive. You might pay several thousand dollars to buy a high quality one carat lab created gem. In contrast, good quality diamond simulants sell for closer to $100 per carat. Not that these can’t be lovely gems – but be clear that you are getting what you want.

How hard are lab created diamonds?

Because lab diamonds are chemically identical to real diamonds, they are extremely hard. Lab diamonds can scratch glass just like a real diamond.

Do created diamonds have flaws?

Yes! This is a common misconception. Lab diamonds are just as likely to have flaws in the stone as a real one. These are called inclusions and a good gem cutter will be able to minimize the visibility of these. The greater the clarity of a created diamond the greater the rarity and higher the price, just like a real diamond.

This means that lab created Emerald jewelry offers stunningly clear, large stones that work well with or without other synthetic stones like lab created Diamonds. This is a collection of the some of the most beautiful and modern designs in lab created emerald rings, all made by the created jewelry experts at Fine Jewelers.

First, this stunning 14k Gold Lab Created Heart Shape Emerald and Diamond Ring. This ring features a total of 4 carats of created Emeralds, with the two main stones very tastefully set in a ring that comes in either white or yellow gold. 2 small natural diamonds are included. Jewelry aficionados will realize that this ring is a steal given the size of the Emerald – a mined stone could cost as much as 5 or 10 times more yet have more inclusions than a created Emerald. Click here for more details or to buy one for yourself – or that special someone.

If you like the heart motif but want something even more simple and elegant, this lab created emerald heart shape solitaire engagement ring comes in 10K or 14K white or yellow gold and features a single 2 carat created emerald. This single large stone has a classic refined look due to the simple claw setting and could easily be worn as a dress ring or engagement ring. You can see the beautiful clarity in this stone that is characteristic of a created emerald.

Finally, this ultra stylish created Emerald ring features a 1.5 carat oval stone, claw set in 14K yellow or white gold (your choice). Again this is advertised as an engagement ring and could certainly be worn as such, but to me it is better suited for wear as a dress ring, and would make an excellent present.

Of course, you can view this ring and many other styles before making a decision. If you head on over to Fine Jewelers on Amazon, there is a great range of created emerald jewelry as well as other pieces using created gemstones. I do recommend Fine Jewelers in particular as they offer a lifetime warranty against defects, and all items come with an attractive card, box and gift packaging which are nice bonuses.

More about created Emeralds

Emeralds are in the group of gems known as Beryl. Structurally the same apart from a small number of particles which are responsible for the differing colors, this family also includes the rare Red Beryl or Red Emerald, Heliodor and Goshenite.

Created emeralds can be produced in the lab by several different methods. The best quality lab created emeralds are made using the hydrothermal method. This method produces single, high quality crystals and works by introducing dissolved minerals to an aqueous environment under pressure and at high temperature. The temperature in the chamber is controlled so that minerals come out of solution and grow crystals over a period of days. Many different created gemstones can be produced using this method.

As a rule of thumb if the price is just ten or twenty dollars, chances are you are looking at a cubic zirconia or another synthetic diamond. The costs involved in making a lab created diamonds can be quite substantial – to end up with one carat of finished cut diamond you need a few carats of rough diamond. Gemstone cutters charge by the carat, and this might cost $1-200. Even if the diamond didn’t cost a cent the seller would still have to charge at least $400 per carat just to break even, and obviously the raw diamond itself is not free. So if you see someone selling man made diamonds at less than $100 a carat you can be pretty confident it is not real lab created diamond, regardless of what they claim.

Read the description carefully! If it says simulated lab diamond it is probably not a genuine lab diamond. If it says it is a Russian lab diamond, it is most likely cubic zirconia (cubic zirconia is often called a Russian diamond).
The absolute best way to make sure you are getting a good quality created diamond is to buy from a reputable source either online or in a real shop, and make sure it comes with some kind of certification from an independent lab. Most created diamonds these days should come with a grading report.

Every year native vegetation is destroyed and precious land cleared to accommodate the expanding number of diamond mines.  In the last ten years alone over three million people have died as a direct result of diamond mining in Africa.  Not only have these people died because of wars which have been funded by the diamond trade, but they have been killed or injured as a result of mining accidents from working in third world mines with no safety or prevention measures. Young children have also been sold into slavery and forced to work the mines.

The alternative to buying a mined diamonds is to buy lab created diamonds, and there are many benefits to doing so. Aside from the obvious value of helping to save the environment there is the added benefit of being able to afford a larger stone of better quality, with many more choices of color available.