When you’re looking for an economical alternative to natural gemstones at our custom jewelry designer in Seattle and Bellevue, you have two main options: gem simulants and synthetic gems.
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For many, a diamond not found in nature is a fake, and that's the end of the story. Or is it? The truth is that there is more to non-natural gemstones than meets the eye. Simulated gemstones and synthetic gemstones are both lab-created, but their similarities do not go far beyond that.
A simulated gemstone is one that is created in a laboratory, but it is created solely to replicate the physical appearance of a precious or semi-precious gem. The process to form these imitation stones focuses on creating an identical exterior look, rather than making a physically composed equal. That usually means that simulants have a different atomic make-up than the real jewel they are attempting to imitate. Primary uses for simulated gemstones are in the jewelry market. These stones are cheaper to make than synthesized stones, and they allow consumers to circumvent the high cost associated with finding a real gem beneath the earth’s surface. Because these stones are so cheap to make, they can be offered as low priced jewels to a wide array of consumers. Simulants offer many options for jewelry buyers.
Jewels signify wealth and beauty, but they are very costly. Those who cannot own the real thing, can easily own the imitation. And, in fact, they can own several imitations, making it possible for many people to create an accessory collection equivalent in size to that of a queen.
There are some downsides to simulants, though. In some cases, they may not be as sturdy as real gemstones. And, because they are mass-produced, the jewelry settings used for simulants tend to be inferior to those used for real and even synthetic jewels.
A synthetic gemstone is an exact replica of the real deal, right down to its atomic structure. Two gemstones that are commonly formed in a lab are cubic zirconia and moissanite. Both have identical compositions to their natural versions. They even have the same physical look and hardness as their natural twins. These two gems, however, are also common simulants for diamonds. They do not have the exact physical properties of diamonds, but they are very similar in appearance. In order to create a true version of a natural gemstone, gemologists study the natural formation process and chemical composition of gemstones found under the Earth’s surface and then attempt to replicate this process in a laboratory. Successful synthesizing leads to artificial jewels that are almost indistinguishable from the real ones.
There is, however, one main difference between natural stones and those made in a lab: imperfections. Since their environment is sterile, lab-created stones are free from possible inclusions of other minerals or interference. They also are free from blemishes that occur in real gems when they encounter heat, pressure and nearby rough surfaces. Synthesized jewels are flawless versions of their natural counterparts. Because they have the same physical composition as their parent stones, synthetics are available for the same uses. Lab-created moissanite, for example, is useful in laboratory experiments that require the use of intense heat.
Synthetic jewels are also great options for jewelry. They create a price middle-ground between more expensive real gems and much cheaper simulated ones. Synthetics provide the real feel, density and look of a natural gemstone without the price tag.
Are you interested in learning more about Synthetic Stone? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Artificial stone is a name for various synthetic stone products produced commercially from the 18th century onward. Uses include statuary, architectural details, fencing and rails, building construction, civil engineering work, and industrial applications such as grindstones. However, " c. BC - An artificial stone is in use in Uruk in Mesopotamia. It is the forerunner of concrete but the secret of its manufacture is lost" (Mellersh, H. E. L. Chronology of World History: Prehistory-AD : The Ancient and Medieval World. Vol. 1, ABC-CLIO, .)
One of the earliest examples of artificial stone was Coade stone (originally called Lithodipyra), a ceramic created by Eleanor Coade (–), and produced from to . Later, in , Frederick Ransome created a Patent Siliceous Stone, which comprised sand and powdered flint in an alkaline solution.[1] By heating it in an enclosed high-temperature steam boiler the siliceous particles were bound together and could be moulded or worked into filtering slabs, vases, tombstones, decorative architectural work, emery wheels and grindstones.
This was followed by Victoria stone, which comprises three parts finely-crushed Mountsorrel (Leicestershire) granite to one of Portland cement, mechanically mixed and cast in moulds. When set the moulds are loosened and the blocks placed in a solution of sodium silicate for about two weeks to indurate and harden them.[2] Many manufacturers turned out a very non-porous product able to resist corrosive sea air and industrial and residential air pollution.[3]
Most later types of artificial stone have consisted of fine-aggregate cement concrete placed to set in wooden or iron moulds.[3] It could be made more cheaply and more uniform than natural stone, and was widely used. In engineering projects, it had the advantage that transporting the bulk materials and casting them near the place of use was cheaper than transporting very large pieces of stone.
Modern cast stone is an architectural concrete building unit manufactured to simulate natural cut stone, used in unit masonry applications. Cast stone is a masonry product, used as an architectural feature, trim, ornament or facing for buildings or other structures. Cast stone can be made from white and/or grey cements, manufactured or natural sands, carefully selected crushed stone or well graded natural gravels and mineral coloring pigments to achieve the desired colour and appearance while maintaining durable physical properties which exceed most natural cut building stones. Cast stone is an excellent replacement for natural cut limestone, brownstone, sandstone, bluestone, granite, slate, coral rock, travertine and other natural building stones.
Engineered stone is the latest development of artificial stone. A mix of marble or quartz powder, resin, and pigment is cast using vacuum oscillation to form blocks. Slabs are then produced by cutting, grinding, and polishing. Some factories have developed a special, low-viscosity, high-strength polyester resin to improve hardness, strength, and gloss and to reduce water absorption.
Engineered marbles are most commonly used as flooring for large commercial projects, but unlike terrazzo are not cast on site. Engineered quartz is widely used in the developed world for counter tops, window sills, and floor and wall coverings.
The vast majority of engineered stone companies are located in China, India, and its birthplace in Italy.[citation needed] One form invented in the early s is Bretonstone.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of lab grown diamond. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.