Synthetic gemstones are nothing new; they have been produced since the 1800s, and their demand keeps growing. It is easy to look at synthetic gemstones as imitations of the real thing, but they are also a product of scientific ingenuity. They have redefined gemstone jewellery, but you should know the difference between real and synthetic gems before purchase. Consulting a trusted high jewellery brand like Simone Jewels can provide clarity on real versus synthetic options, ensuring you know exactly what you’re purchasing.
Real Gemstones
To determine whether a gemstone is real or synthetic, you should understand the physical and optical properties that define its market value. Density, weight, colour, transparency, and saturation can easily help you identify real gemstones.
Real gemstones occur naturally and have unique inclusions and features that are difficult to duplicate in synthetic gemstones. The depth and colour of real gemstones vary, depending on the grade, and unless you know what to look for, you may confuse synthetic gemstones for real gemstones.
One way to distinguish the two is by examining the cost of gemstones. A high jewellery brand will also have magnified images showing inclusions in real gemstones that are not visible to the naked eye.
Synthetic Gemstones
Synthetic gemstones are often flawless, sometimes almost as perfect as high-grade gemstones, but lack the depth of real gems. They are produced at a lower cost than real gemstones, so they are naturally more affordable.
Differences Between Real and Synthetic Gemstones
- Colour: Real gemstones tend to have colour variations. Even those with the same colour may exhibit different intensities depending on the angle. On the other hand, synthetic gemstones tend to have a more vivid and uniform colour.
- Inclusions: It is not unusual for real gemstones to have fractures. Some are only visible under a magnifying glass. These occur due to the heat and pressure they are exposed to during their formation. Synthetic gemstones are almost perfect, and if there are inclusions, they are very few.
- Weight: Real gems tend to be lighter than synthetic gemstone jewellery Singapore.
- Price: Synthetic gemstones tend to be cheaper, with some costing at least half the cost of real gems.
How to Check If the Gemstone Is Real
Now that you know the difference between synthetic and real gemstone, you can do the following to identify one from the other.
- Visual Inspection: You don’t need special tools to conduct a visual inspection. However, a high jewellery brand may offer a jeweller’s loupe (a magnifying glass) to check for fractures and other inclusions. You can tilt the gemstone to check for colour variations.
- Refractive index tests: The jeweller will use specialised tools to test the gemstone and compare the finding with the refractive indexes used to identify real gemstones.
- Specific gravity: Compare the gemstone’s density with known estimates of specific gemstones. For example, diamonds are at least three times the density of water, at 3.50 – 3.53 g/cm3. Emeralds have a lower density of 2.67 – 2.78 g/cm3.
- Hire a professional appraiser. The appraiser has the experience and skills to distinguish authentic gemstone from synthetic varieties.
Distinguishing real gemstones from synthetic ones can be overwhelming. You may find a jewellery brand that only sells real gemstones to simplify the process. Selecting gemstone jewellery in Singapore from Simone Jewels assures that both real and synthetic options are clearly distinguished, allowing you to make a confident and informed purchase.
