Lab Grown Gemstones
Color is a wonderful place to begin. Understanding the material helps you take the next step with confidence.
What does lab grown mean?
A laboratory-grown, or synthetic, gemstone is made by people and has essentially the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical and optical properties as its natural counterpart. Laboratory-grown ruby, sapphire, and emerald are examples. The word describes a stone's origin; it does not mean that every manufactured gem is the same material.
Lab grown, treated, and simulated
- Natural: formed in nature.
- Laboratory-grown: manufactured with essentially the properties of the named natural gem.
- Treated: altered to change appearance or another characteristic; treatment is a separate question from origin.
- Simulant: resembles another gemstone but has a different material identity. CZ can imitate diamond, for example.
Read beyond the color name
A color description alone does not tell you a stone's mineral species, geographic origin, treatments, or laboratory-grown status. When comparing pieces, ask for those details and check what any accompanying report actually identifies.
Your questions, made simple
What is the stone? Is it natural, laboratory-grown, or a simulant? Has it been treated? Is there an independent report for this exact stone? What care does it need? These are useful questions whether you are choosing a gift or finding your own signature color.
For the material details of an Amoretto piece, send us its product link. This guide explains general terms and does not establish the identity or certification of our individual products.
Further reading
GIA: An introduction to synthetic gem materials
GIA: What are synthetic gemstones?