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Mahenge Spinels in various gemstone cuts with their rough counterparts in the background.

Natural vs Synthetic Gems: Is there Really a Difference?

… YES! 

While both natural and lab-grown gemstones may share similar chemical compositions, their paths to existence diverge significantly. And besides the obvious romanticism behind something that’s natural and formed deep within the earth over millions of years, there is also the point about rarity. 

There’s an undeniable draw to the story of natural gemstones — a tale akin to Michelangelo painstakingly painting the Sistine Chapel over four years, contrasted with the efficiency of a robot completing the task in a day. While the outcome may appear identical at a glance, it’s the journey, the intricate process, and the personal touch of the artist himself that imbues natural gemstones with their unique charm and allure.

There is a reason why artwork created by master artists like Michelangelo are revered and displayed at museums, while nearly identical hand-painted replicas barely have any value!

When you hold a natural gemstone, you know that you have in your hand a one-of-a-kind product of Mother Nature that will NOT have a duplicate. Sure, you might be able to find a suite of oval blue Sapphires of a similar hue, shape and size but natural gemstones will always have unique ‘birthmarks’ and characteristics that make each piece unique. 

That’s part of the beauty of it– knowing that you own something special. The same can’t be said for lab-grown, synthetic gems that are currently being churned out of factories by the kilo.

Here are more key differences between natural and synthetic stones:

Natural gemstones

A cushion cut green Tourmaline against a pile of green Tourmaline roughs.

To be labelled as a natural gemstone, a gem has to be produced by nature. These gems are formed by natural processes over extensive periods, typically spanning thousands of years. And these gems are considered authentic due to their origin in nature!

On that note, there are also treated natural gemstones, such as heated Sapphire. While heat treatment is a normal and accepted treatment, and in fact, over 90% of gem quality Sapphire is heat-treated, there are other, more severe treatments which are not accepted in the fine gemstone industry, such as lead filling and flux healing. These treatments are usually only accepted for lower cost items such as costume jewellery.  

Synthetic gemstones

Synthetic ruby can be produced via flux growth processes (crystal and cut stone on left), and flame fusion (boule and cut stone on right). [Source: GIA.edu]
Synthetic ruby can be produced via flux growth processes (crystal and cut stone on left), and flame fusion (boule and cut stone on right). [Source: GIA.edu]
Lab-grown, lab-made, man-made, created, artificial – these are all terms used to describe gems grown in a controlled, laboratory environment. Various processes are employed to create these synthetic gemstones, resulting in gems with the same chemical composition as their natural counterparts, rendering them ‘real’ gemstones.

What about simulant gems?

A glass material known as “slocum stone” can mimic the appearance of opal. [Source: GIA.edu]
A glass material known as “slocum stone” can mimic the appearance of opal. [Source: GIA.edu]
Unlike synthetic gemstones, simulant gemstones are gemstones that imitate a particular gemstone’s outward appearance, but only physically. While many are often made out of glass or plastic, certain gems may be used as simulants for other more ‘precious’ gems! For example, a Garnet may be used as a Ruby simulant, and a Tanzanite as a Sapphire simulant (although this discredits the unique beauty of each gem!)

Ultimately, the choice between natural and synthetic gemstones is a personal one. However, if you ask me, it’s natural stones over synthetic ones — any day! There’s no denying the beauty of natural gemstones that have been made over thousands of years by Mother Nature.

With MADLY, we only work with the top 0.1% of natural coloured gems, so you can be sure you get only the natural stuff here!

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