For centuries, emeralds have been prized for their rich green color, which is said to represent new beginnings. Emeralds are also associated with faithfulness and relationships.

No wonder so many couples choose emeralds as their engagement or anniversary gemstone! However, natural emeralds can be quite expensive and still have numerous inclusions. So what’s a budget-conscious bride-to-be or dedicated partner to do? Consider a lab-created emerald instead!

Lab-created emeralds offer all the beauty of natural emeralds at a fraction of the cost. And because they are grown in a controlled environment, lab-created emeralds tend to be free of inclusions. So if you’re looking for an alternative to natural emeralds, consider lab-created emeralds. You’ll find they’re every bit as lovely – and more affordable! – than their natural counterparts.

Whether you’re looking for an emerald necklace or emerald earrings, we can work with you to create a one-of-a-kind piece that is perfect for your style. Our experienced designers will work with you to create a unique and fashionable piece!

What Makes Emerald So Unique?

Emerald gemstones have been prized by cultures around the world for centuries. Some of the oldest discovered emeralds date back 2.97 billion years, making them some of the most ancient gemstones in existence.

The Egyptians were some of the first to mine emeralds. Queen Cleopatra is perhaps the most famous historical figure associated with these beautiful stones. Emeralds were often used in Egyptian jewelry and burials, and Cleopatra claimed ownership of all emerald mines in Egypt during her reign!

On the other side of the world, the Muzo Indians of Colombia also prized emeralds, hiding their mines so well that it took Spanish conquistadors years to find them.

Today, many still cherish emeralds as symbols of beauty, luxury, and power.

What Is a Lab-Grown Emerald?

When it comes to beautiful, classic jewelry, emeralds are a top pick. And while mined emeralds have been treasured for centuries, there’s a new kind of emerald on the market: a lab-grown emerald.

These gems are created under the same conditions and with the same materials as emeralds found in nature but in a vastly reduced time frame. So what exactly are lab-grown emeralds?

Also called lab-created emeralds, lab emeralds, or created emeralds, these gems are precisely what their name suggests: emeralds that have been grown in a lab. Both mined, and lab emeralds form from the same mineral (beryl), and they’re 100% chemically and optically identical—the only difference between the two lies in their origin.

Most mined emeralds include small gas bubbles and bits of minerals picked up during the crystallization process. Lab-created emeralds have fewer inclusions or can be close to inclusion free

If you’re looking for a beautiful, classic piece of jewelry with all the sparkle and none of the impurities, a lab-grown emerald may be the perfect choice for you.

Is a Lab-Created Emerald a Real Emerald?

We often think of natural or mined emeralds as being the “real” emeralds. Still, any gemstone made from a specific blend of beryllium, aluminum, silicon, and oxygen is an emerald. This blend of elements defines what an emerald is rather than its origin. So, synthetic or lab-created emeralds are just as real as natural emeralds.

Both natural and synthetic emeralds have the same physical and chemical properties. They are both hard (rated 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale), have a similar specific gravity, and refract light in similar ways. The only real difference between natural and synthetic emeralds is their origin. Natural emeralds come from mines, while synthetic emeralds are created in laboratories.

So, if you’re ever wondering whether a synthetic emerald is “real,” rest assured that it is! Synthetic emeralds have the same properties as natural emeralds; they just come from different places.

How Much Is Lab-Created Emerald Worth?

The lab-created emerald is considered to be one of mankind’s significant achievements. Real gems can cost anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000 per karat. Most people can afford jewelry with synthetic emeralds in it because you may get a high-quality laboratory-created emerald for less than $300  per carat.

You can find gorgeous gems at a reasonable price. The best part about these lab-created emeralds is that apart from being beautiful and having all the characteristics of a natural emerald, they are durable. They Require less care but still need standard jewelry care and maintenance. So, if you are looking for an affordable and beautiful piece of jewelry, then opt for the lab-created emeralds.

Read more tips about your jewelry care and maintenance!

Are Lab-Created Emeralds More Durable Than Natural Emeralds?

In recent years, lab-created emeralds have become increasingly popular as a more affordable alternative to mined emeralds. But are these man-made gems as strong and durable as their natural counterparts?

Compared to other popular stones like diamonds and sapphires, emeralds are relatively soft, making them more susceptible to chips and scratches. This is where lab-created emeralds have a significant advantage.

Because they are created in controlled laboratory conditions, these emeralds can be made with fewer fractures and better clarity than their mined counterparts. As a result, they are less likely to suffer damage over time.

Of course, no stone is completely immune to wear and tear. However, with proper care and storage, lab-created emeralds can last just as long as natural emeralds – making them an attractive and cost-effective option for any jewelry lover.

Did you know that emerald is May’s birthstone?

How To Compare a Lab-Created Emerald to a Natural Emerald

One way to tell the difference between a lab-created and a natural emerald is to look at the gem’s  

However, this is not always a reliable method, as there can be variations in color within both natural and lab-created gems. Another way to tell the difference is by looking at the gem’s clarity. Lab-created emeralds tend to have fewer inclusions than natural emeralds, meaning they have fewer blemishes or foreign materials. This is not a 100% reliable method of telling either, as there can be variation in clarity within both natural and lab-created gems.

The best way to tell the difference between a natural emerald and a lab-created one is by having it evaluated by a qualified gemologist.

Why Should you Go with Lab-grown Emeralds?

There are many reasons to choose a lab-grown emerald over a mined one.

1. They are much more affordable, meaning you can get the same look for a fraction of the price.
2. They are conflict-free, meaning that they have not been mined in an area with civil unrest or conflict. This is an important consideration for many people when choosing their gemstones. 
3. In addition, lab-grown gemstones are made in a controlled environment so that you can be sure of the quality and purity of the stone. This is not always the case with mined stones, which can be of lower quality or contain impurities. 

For all these reasons, lab-grown emeralds are a great choice for anyone looking for a beautiful, high-quality gemstone.

How to Keep Lab-Grown Emerald Jewelry in Good Condition

Lab-grown emeralds are beautiful and easy to wear. All emeralds have a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8 (out of 10), except natural emeralds that contain significant inclusions, making them far more fragile. Because lab-grown emeralds are produced under controlled conditions that restrict inclusions significantly, they are much more durable.

If you would like to clean your emerald jewelry at home you can use a toothbrush and soap. Clean behind the stone where dust can build. However, it is always best and recommended to have your jewelry professionally cleaned. Lab-grown emeralds are strong enough to be put into an ultrasonic cleaner by a professional jeweler.

Exposing lab-grown and mined emeralds to abrasives or harsh chemicals is not recommended. Harsh chemicals can permanently damage the stone’s surface or scratch its surface.

Conclusion

While natural emeralds are beautiful, they are also quite rare and expensive. Fortunately, there is a perfect alternative if a natural emerald is not in your budget: lab-created emeralds. These stones are chemically identical to their natural counterparts but are much more affordable. In addition, lab-created emeralds are not subject to the same wear and tear as natural stones, so that they will last longer.

Lab-created emeralds are a perfect choice whether you’re looking for an engagement ring or another type of jewelry fashion statement.

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