Synthetic and Fake Emeralds

Emeralds, luxurious and rare, bestow a sense of sophistication to their wearers – a reason why so many people imitate and sell them.

Mostly lab-grown, artificial emeralds lack the chemical composition of their natural counterparts. However, they are genuine stones, lab-treated to enhance their look and size. Immensely close to the originals in appearance, these artificial gems are an excellent option when cost is an issue.

While materials used to create these replicas are abundant, some of the most commonly used resources include synthetics, composites and glass.

Generally, technicians grow emeralds with inclusions that make them appear more natural. Composite stones are mostly genuine gems combined with larger chunks of inexpensive or imitation gemstone. While they are either fake or semi-precious, these magnificent counterparts are usually quite difficult to differentiate from the originals.

If you are concerned that you might be sold a synthetic in place of a natural emerald, request that your jeweler provide a certificate of authenticity with any emerald you purchase. You may also consider having your emeralds professionally appraised. With special equipment, certified appraisers can tell the difference between a synthetic and natural emerald.