Education/Diamonds & Stones
Lab Grown Gemstones
The short answer
What are lab grown gemstones, and which gemstones does Amarii offer?
Lab grown gemstones are gemstones created in a controlled environment rather than formed naturally underground. They can have the same chemical composition and crystal structure as their naturally occurring counterparts, depending on the gemstone. At Amarii, our collection includes lab grown alexandrite, emerald, ruby, sapphire, spinel and tourmaline, alongside moissanite.
What is a lab grown gemstone?
The same gemstone, a different origin
A lab grown gemstone is created using controlled processes that replicate the conditions required for a particular gemstone to form. The exact process depends on the gemstone.
For some gemstones, a lab grown version has the same chemical composition and crystal structure as the naturally occurring gemstone. The difference is how and where it formed.
The term lab grown describes origin. It does not describe a gemstone's colour, quality or value.
Every gemstone still needs to be assessed on its individual characteristics, including colour, clarity, cut, size and overall appearance.
The Amarii gemstone collection
Our gemstone collection brings together coloured stones chosen for their colour, character and suitability for fine jewellery.
Alexandrite
Rare colour change, naturally distinctive.
Alexandrite is a variety of chrysoberyl known for its colour changing appearance under different lighting conditions. Lab grown alexandrite allows this unusual phenomenon to be incorporated into jewellery in a more accessible way. Its colour can appear different depending on the light source, making each stone particularly distinctive.
Emerald
Green, unmistakable and full of character.
Emerald is the green variety of beryl. Its colour ranges from lighter green through to deeper, more saturated green. Unlike diamonds, inclusions are common in emeralds and are traditionally considered part of the character of the stone. This means an emerald should be assessed differently from a diamond.
Ruby
The colour of ruby is its defining feature.
Ruby is the red variety of corundum. Its colour can range from lighter red through to deeper and more saturated red. Colour, clarity, cut and size all contribute to the appearance of a ruby. Lab grown ruby gives you another way to choose this classic gemstone for a piece of jewellery.
Sapphire
More than blue.
Sapphire is the gemstone variety of corundum in colours other than red. Blue is its best known colour, but sapphires can occur in a broad range of colours. The colour, saturation and tone of a sapphire can significantly influence its appearance. Lab grown sapphire gives you the opportunity to explore different colours and sizes while maintaining the character of the gemstone.
Spinel
Colour with its own identity.
Spinel is a gemstone in its own right, with a broad range of colours including red, pink, blue and other shades. It is sometimes mistaken for other gemstones because of its appearance, but spinel has its own chemical composition and crystal structure. At Amarii, we see spinel as an opportunity to choose something less expected while retaining the character of a fine gemstone.
Tourmaline
A gemstone with an extraordinary range of colour.
Tourmaline occurs in a wide range of colours, making it one of the most versatile gemstones for coloured jewellery. Different tourmaline colours can have their own characteristics and visual appeal. Its variety makes it particularly suited to pieces where colour is intended to be part of the design.
Moissanite
Brilliance with its own identity.
Moissanite is not a diamond. It is a gemstone made from silicon carbide and is known for its high brilliance and distinctive optical properties. Lab created moissanite offers a diamond alternative for customers who want a bright, durable gemstone with its own character. At Amarii, we treat moissanite as its own gemstone rather than presenting it as a substitute diamond.
How does Amarii Curated select gemstones?
Amarii Curated gemstones are selected for colour, clarity, cut and overall appearance. We require gemstones to meet a minimum clarity of VVS, while considering the characteristics that matter most for each individual gemstone.
| Amarii Curated gemstone criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Clarity | VVS or higher |
| Colour | Selected for desirable hue, tone and saturation |
| Cut | Selected for proportions, symmetry and visual performance |
| Overall appearance | Must meet Amarii Curated selection criteria |
Like our diamonds, every gemstone we select is curated against a defined set of criteria. For gemstones, that includes a minimum clarity of VVS.
How do you choose a lab grown gemstone?
The right gemstone depends on more than colour alone. We consider the gemstone type, colour, size, clarity, cut and the design it will become part of.
Different gemstones have different characteristics, so the criteria used to assess a diamond should not automatically be applied to an emerald, ruby or tourmaline.
This is where Amarii Curated comes in. We look beyond a single grade and consider the individual gemstone and how it works within the finished piece.
Frequently asked questions about lab grown gemstones
Are lab grown gemstones real gemstones?
Yes. Lab grown gemstones are genuine gemstones created in a controlled environment. For gemstones that have the same chemical composition and crystal structure as their naturally occurring counterparts, the primary difference is their origin.
Are lab grown gemstones the same as synthetic gemstones?
The terms can overlap. In gemmology, synthetic generally refers to a laboratory created material with essentially the same chemical composition and crystal structure as its natural counterpart. Amarii uses the term lab grown because it is clearer for customers.
Are lab grown emeralds real emeralds?
Yes. A laboratory created emerald can have the same chemical composition and crystal structure as a naturally occurring emerald. Emerald is the green variety of beryl.
Is lab grown ruby real ruby?
Yes. Lab grown ruby is ruby created in a controlled environment. Ruby is the red variety of corundum.
Is lab grown sapphire real sapphire?
Yes. Lab grown sapphire is sapphire created in a controlled environment. Sapphire is the gemstone variety of corundum in colours other than red.
Is moissanite a lab grown diamond?
No. Moissanite is not diamond. It is silicon carbide and is a separate gemstone with its own physical and optical properties.
Are lab grown gemstones more affordable?
Lab grown gemstones can provide access to larger or different gemstones at prices that may be lower than comparable naturally occurring stones. Pricing varies significantly between gemstone types and individual stones.
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