Press Articles
Synthetic Gemstones – What Is Really Behind Them?
Synthetic gemstones are currently a major topic on social media. A smart investment, a bargain, or simply the latest gimmick?
Gemstone expert Dr. Thomas Schröck explains the differences between synthetic and natural gemstones, their production, and their value development.
What Are Synthetic Gemstones?
Synthetic stones are materials that are identical to natural gemstones in their chemical, physical, and optical properties, but are produced under controlled laboratory conditions. They are therefore not imitations, but genuine, man-made counterparts to natural minerals.
An Overview of the Production Processes
Synthetic gemstones are produced using technically sophisticated methods that replicate natural formation processes. In the case of diamonds, for example, a process is used that can be described in simplified terms as “baking”: crystals are formed within a controlled system under extremely high temperatures and enormous pressure.
Other gemstones such as ruby, sapphire, and corundum are produced using so-called pulling or drop-growth methods. In these processes, the crystal slowly grows out of a melt. Despite the industrial setting, this is a time-intensive procedure that requires precision and expertise.
Significance and Areas of Application
Synthetic gemstones undoubtedly have their value and a clear justification, especially in technical applications. Corundum, which includes ruby and sapphire, is used in laser technology, for example. It also plays a central role in the watch industry: jewel bearings in high-quality mechanical watches as well as scratch-resistant sapphire glass are made from synthetic corundum.
In the jewellery sector, however, the market value of synthetic gemstones is significantly lower. Although synthetic diamonds command a certain price due to the energy and labour involved in their production, they still remain far below the value of natural diamonds.
Value Development: Clear Differences
A decisive factor for consumers is long-term value development. In the case of synthetic gemstones such as ruby, sapphire, or diamond, no increase in value is currently to be expected. By contrast, natural gemstones may show stable to rising value development, depending on quality, origin, and market conditions.
Conclusion
Synthetic gemstones are technically impressive products with important industrial applications. As investment or store-of-value objects, however, they cannot compete with natural gemstones. For buyers, it is therefore crucial to clearly define the intended purpose.
Dr. Thomas Schröck
The founder and managing partner of THE NATURAL GEM has been active in international gemstone trading for 30 years. As a doctor of economics and a certified gemmologist in Switzerland, Germany and the USA, among other countries, he is one of Europe’s leading experts on naturally-coloured, untreated gemstones and investments in them.
