Gemstone Talk: Lab Created vs Mined

A question I often get asked as a jeweller is what is the difference between lab created stones and mined stones, and which one is better. In this blog post, I'm going to delve into the nitty-gritty details and we'll discuss the benefits and draw back of each one, along with some distinctions that will help you decide which is right for you.

 

When someone asks me about lab created vs mined gemstones, usually they are asking me the question in relation to diamonds, however in today's world, many gemstones can be created in a lab... It's not just exclusively for diamonds. Today, everything from Ruby, to Sapphire, to Emerald to Opal can be made in a laboratory setting.

Stones that are created in a lab are chemically, physically and optically identical to those mined underground — but they have fewer flaws, a lighter carbon footprint, and they tend to cost less too. Lab created stones are not imitations; lab-created gemstones are the real deal.

Where the distinction usually gets muddy is with imitation (sometimes called synthetic stones). Synthetic stones are made to look like the real deal, but on a chemical level they are completely different. Synthetic stones are typically made from dyed quartz, glass, and in some cases plastic and are sold as a cheap imitation of the real stone.

There are some stones, such as Cubic Zircona that in their own right are a "real" stone, are lab created, but because they often get passed off as a synthetic diamond, or an imitation stone when coloured, so it can further add to the confusion about what the differences are between a lab grown stone and what people consider "Real".

 

How they are made

Lab created gemstones are created through a process similar to what happens in the earth, but at a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost and carbon footprint of a mining operation. 

The average person would be hard-pressed to tell the difference by eye, and typically, the biggest identifier between the two is that lab created gemstones tend to be close to flawless, where as mined stones are usually not. 

Lab created stones rely on a steady and controlled process of applying minerals, heat and pressure, where as mined gemstones tend to have inclusions and impurities in the stones due to the natural crystallization process that has gases and other minerals mixing together during the molten stage of the stones creation.

 

Environmental and Ethical Impact

Environmentally speaking, lab-created stones do not tax natural resources in the way that the process for mining natural gemstone does. With lab created stones, no mines are dug, the labs use a fraction of the utilities and resources necessary, and less pollutants are created. Ethically speaking, due to the location that most lab created gemstones are currently being produced in, there is also far less chance that lab created gemstones are fueling illegal or unsavory activities such as unsafe working conditions, low wages and slave labor, or funding wars or terrorism. Lab created gemstones are one of the most environmentally friendly and ethically sourced types of gemstones on the market today.

 

Do ethically sourced natural gemstones exist?

Yes! Here at Argent Whimsy we have made connections with gem cutters and suppliers of natural gemstones where our supplier or lapidary artist will physically go visit the mining sites, do site checkups, follow up on the "green" mining processes that are being used at the mining sites, and speak with the miners to insure that all of the natural gemstone roughs that they are buying are as ethically sourced as possible. Here at Argent Whimsy we also source from as many self-employed lapidary artists as possible to ensure that our personal carbon footprint is as small as possible and that we are supporting other small businesses with our gem stone purchases. 

 

So which is better: Lab Created or Mined?

Ultimately, the decision is up to you. As long as the natural gemstones are sourced from an ethical mining operation, the decision about which is better comes down to stone cost, visual characteristics, and personal preference. If you're still on the fence about which type of gemstone you're looking to buy with your jewellery, please reach out to the jeweler of your choice to ask any further questions you may have to help you make the choice that is best for you.