There is nothing inherently wrong with synthetic gems

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Man-Made Gems

It is important to remember that even imitation materials are some times so good at mimicking natural gems that the eye alone cannot tell ,he difference. A safe generalization is that, with few exceptions, the Authenticity of a gem cannot he determined with the naked eye. Color is ,iota suitable criterion, because nearly any color can be duplicated with :he right combination of chemicals.

Synthetics can be manufactured :hat so resemble natural gems even gemologists are sometimes fooled. v1anufacturers may try to purposely add inclusions to their products that resemble natural inclusions. Gem synthesis has become a major busi¬ness, and manufacturing techniques have become a fine art.

Detection of synthetics is currently a major problem, and should be entrusted or to a professional gemologist or gem laboratory, such as those of t w Gemological Institute of America in New York and Los Angeles. l jeweler who might "authenticate" a stone by squinting at it against a sunl;t window is often fooling both himself and his client.

Man-Made Gems

There is nothing inherently wrong with synthetic gems. They bring the colors and brilliance of the finest gems within the financial means of a vast portion of the gem-loving populace. The markets for synthetic and natural gems are separate and distinct, and problems arise only when synthetic is sold as a natural stone.

For example, a five-carat ruby of 0¬finest color and transparency might cost $10,000 per carat or more, ' synthetic ruby of identical color and clarity that would, to the eye, h indistinguishable from the natural stone might sell for $20 or less.

The natural gem has tremendous value because of its scarcity. But to the person who simply wants a ruby for personal adornment because of its rich color and brilliance, the synthetic might be perfectly suitable, and should not be downgraded because of its low cost and ignoble origin.

Books could be filled with information about synthetic and imitation gems. Glassmaking alone is a major industry with a well-developed technology. Only a few synthetic gem materials are usually encoun¬tered by the typical gem buyer. The history of their manufacture and a comparison with their natural counterparts can be briefly summarized.


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