Synthetic Gemstones: Synthetic and Simulant data

As high quality gem suppliers, we did a lot of careful investigation before we started selling created gemstones.  We looked at dozens of different manufacturers and methods for producing laboratory grown gems.  We decided that if we were going to sell created gems, then we owed it to our customers to provide them with the absolute best quality at the lowest possible cost.

It is important to note that there are two primary classes of laboratory grown/created material: Simulants and Synthetics.  In order to be called synthetic, a gemstone must have the nearly identical characteristics of the earth grown counterpart; hardness, refractive index, chemical and physical properties - in essence, it must be the same thing.  Simulants are materials that are made to look like a natural stone (CZ is to a Diamond).

What we offer:

"Recrystalized RUBY":  This material is produced in the US.  It was created using natural ruby, crushing and melting it, then removing all the impurities.  The color that is produced is that of some of the finest Burmese stones.  The clarity and brilliance is exceptional.  This is the elite of Ruby.

RUBY: Russian made, flame fusion and a pulled variety to provide super RUBY at the lowest price available on the market.  This is a fine, rich color for the economically minded.

ALEXANDRITE: Czochralsky pulled chrysoberyl with no visible flaws.  The color change of this material from the rich raspberry color, in artificial light, to a bluish green in daylight, is just like the natural material.  Do not confuse this material with the color-change variety of synthetic corundum, which has been mistakenly called Alexandrite.

EMERALD:  Russian, hydrothermal method.  Using an Emerald seed plate this method of production is slow and costly but produces the intense color of the finest Columbian natural Emerald.  Unlike natural Emerald, this material is not as sensitive.  However, it is best not to expose the stone to high temperatures, harsh chemicals or severe impact.

SAPPHIRE: Czochralsky pulled corundum in a range of colors from the Ceylon blue to the "lotus" pink-orange color often called Padparadscha. We do have a limited quantity of synthetic Star Sapphire and Ruby.

When we looked at simulants, we investigated CZ and felt there had to be a better material available.  The Russian sources that we use produce a material that is hard (8.25), durable, not as heavy as CZ (more stone per carat), and still available in a variety of colors.  The material is Yttrium Aluminum Garnet or YAG, for short.  We sell this in several colors.  RI: 1.83; Specific Gravity: 4.55

We also carry color-change laser silica called "Tourmalike".  We have two basic colors.  The "Tourmalike Regular" changes from pink in natural and incandescent light, to a green in fluorescent light.  The "Tourmalike Plus" changes from an amethyst purple color in daylight, to a Ceylon blue sapphire color in fluorescent lighting.  These phenomenal stones are quite low in cost and are very popular.

Also available: simulated Aquamarine, Fire Opal, Tanzanite, Emerald and Tourmaline; synthetic Opal, Spinel and Amethyst

Some additional data: