Tagged: Synthetic Gemstones
Below you will find content on the site that is "tagged" with the topic: Synthetic Gemstones.
Custom Designs
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Vibrant, red, heart-shaped gemstones are the focal point of this unique band. The client opted for lab created rubies which are incredibly bright and saturated. Sparkling accent diamonds space out the hearts and finish the look. The end product is a stackable, wearable, and totally personalized custom ring… read more »
Fine Jewelry University (Show All FJU Articles)
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Gem in the Spotlight: Spinel
Spinel may be one of the most underappreciated gemstones in all of history. For centuries it has been confused with more popular gems like ruby and sapphire, and only recently have people begun to appreciate spinel for its own natural beauty. Commonly made in a lab spinel has been used a lower cost substitute for other gems, but natural spinel is actually a stunning gem in its own right. This in-depth article covers the gemology, history, and lore of this amazing and often overlooked gem... read more »
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How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?
The dream of making a beautiful and valuable diamond from simple carbon has long captivated the imagination of scientists and visionaries alike. Just like the alchemists of old who sought to turn lead into gold, many have tried to achieve this impressive feat. We have only recently been able to produce gem quality, lab grown diamonds that are large enough to be used in jewelry. But, how is it done? Early Efforts Throughout history, many people have claimed to have successfully synthesized diamonds. However, it was not until relatively recently... read more »
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What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?
In the simplest terms, lab grown diamonds are diamonds that have been made by people instead of mined out of the earth. If it’s so simple, you might wonder why there’s an entire article below this sentence. The complexity arises from the fact that lots of different terms have been used to describe lab grown diamonds and their cousins, and not everyone uses these terms in the same way. So, let’s begin with some vocabulary. Synthetic. Understanding this term correctly is the key that unlocks this entire question. Synthetic can... read more »
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Is a Lab Grown Diamond Right for Me?
Picking a diamond for your engagement ring is a big decision. For most of us, buying a diamond is a significant financial undertaking, and we want to get it right. Unfortunately, understanding diamonds takes a lot of specialized knowledge that most people don’t have (anyone remember their refractive indexes from high school physics?). Even more unfortunately, the diamond industry suffers from a lot of misinformation and paranoia both from inside the trade and from outside observers. I have heard people say that natural diamonds come with a 400% mark up... read more »
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How to Tell If a Diamond Is Natural or Lab Grown
How can I know if my diamond is real? This is a question we get all the time, and it’s not as simple as you might think. First, you have to decide what “real” means. If you are not familiar with lab grown diamonds, you might want to check out our introduction to lab grown and synthetic diamonds before continuing with this article. So, now you know that lab grown diamonds are just as real as natural diamonds, but we still want to be able to tell them apart. When... read more »
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Fake Diamonds: The Great Diamond Attack
A popular game show would have three people all say that they were someone and the contestant would try to find out who was the real person. Technology has created many new diamonds and diamond lookalikes. “What is a real diamond?” is a difficult question these days. And the problem of separating a fully natural diamond from all the modern possibilities is quite demanding. So what is a real diamond? Let’s start with the older diamond look a likes, (CZ, GGG, YAG, Synthetic corundum and spinal, Glass) or simulants are... read more »
Pages
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Alternative Gemstones for a Non-Traditional Engagement Ring
Today, many couples are choosing to express their individuality with unconventional engagement rings. One way to break the mold is to use a gemstone that’s not a Diamond. Let’s explore the pros and cons of a few Diamond alternatives. The alternatives to a Diamond for engagement rings are more varied than most people think. They range from gems worthy of the crown jewels to man-made imitations of Diamonds. Most alternatives to Diamonds have color which makes stand out from the traditional clear white Diamond. Sapphire Engagement Rings The most common... read more »
Blog Posts
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Arden Jewelers Catches Undisclosed Lab Grown Diamond
One of the things that sets us apart from other jewelers is our team of expert gemologists and full gem lab. In the past, we have talked about how a gemologist jewelry buyer can pay you more and how a gemologist can help you find the perfect diamond. Today, we’re sharing another way our gemologists are looking out for you. We recently received a pair of 3 carat diamonds from a trusted and well known diamond wholesaler. As part of our standard evaluation our head Graduate Gemologist, Angelo tested and... read more »
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The Truth About Synthetic Gems
One of the most intimidating subjects for new comers to the jewelry industry is synthetic gems, so I figured I’d start with a quick explanation of the subject. Here’s an excerpt from an article I wrote: Man made gems come in many forms. Every thing from simple glass to plastic to high tech chemical tongue twister like gadolinium gallium garnet (also called GGG) and the modern diamond simulant moissanite, a man made silicon carbide. In gemology, any material used to look like a gem is called a simulant. So clear... read more »
