topic Re: Lab Created Stones? in Jewelry

Lab Created Stones?

evergreen — Fri, 16 May 2014 15:57:59 GMT

I don't understand why Q makes lab created ruby rings that are on the pink side. I think most people prefer a stone that is more on the deep red side according to reviews. I have a true ruby that is a beautiful color and I would like a stack ring to wear with it but they're usually too pink. If the stones are man made I would expect they could get the color people seem to want.

Re: Lab Created Stones?

scotnovel — Fri, 16 May 2014 16:03:17 GMT

They probably wouldn't make them if they didn't sell. They have hundreds of thousands of viewers so surely some of them might want pink. Years ago my mother bought a pink ruby ring from one of the shopping channels & it was one of her favorites.

Re: Lab Created Stones?

ennui1 — Fri, 16 May 2014 16:34:27 GMT

Are you talking about lab-created rubies, or Diamonique in the ruby color? They are two different things.

Re: Lab Created Stones?

wagirl — Fri, 16 May 2014 16:38:48 GMT

If it's supposed to be a ruby, lab grown or natural---I want pigeons blood red, not pink!!! That drives me crazy!! Same with sapphires---who in their right mind wants a black sapphire--I want corn flower blue. Would love a genuine, earth grown stones but mine budget is beer, not champagne. I don't object to lab grown at all, just grow it in the "real" colors.

Re: Lab Created Stones?

kzjohnson — Fri, 16 May 2014 16:47:41 GMT

I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a pair of real Burmese ruby earrings years ago and mine to do a pinker undertone/flash to them. Even though the most top graded and desired rubies are blood red, not all real rubies are the deep red.

In fact, many of the rubies recently coming out of Thailand and Africa have the lighter color with a bit of pink to them.

I do like both, but wish I would have had the means "back in the day" to get more of the deep red Burmese rubies. For now, if I want that deep red clear stone I get a color enhanced topaz over the lab created ruby...just preference.

Re: Lab Created Stones?

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 17 May 2014 22:25:22 GMT

How exactly do they grow stones in a lab? Does anyone know?

Re: Lab Created Stones?

Fashion and Style Diva — Sun, 18 May 2014 00:09:35 GMT

On 5/17/2014 Tinkrbl44 said:
How exactly do they grow stones in a lab? Does anyone know?

I don't know if this will help as I did not read through it all but I will post it anyway. http://www.gia.edu/gem-synthetic

Re: Lab Created Stones?

Fashion and Style Diva — Sun, 18 May 2014 00:12:47 GMT

They explain some of the steps taken to make various synthetic stones; even rubies.

Re: Lab Created Stones?

Fashion and Style Diva — Sun, 18 May 2014 00:21:41 GMT

This is another one that explains simulants http://www.gia.edu/gem-imitation

Re: Lab Created Stones?

CalminHeart — Sun, 18 May 2014 14:53:02 GMT

There is a big difference between created and synthetic/simulated stones. Synthetics will always look fake (DMQ, a lot of JR stones, and such). Created will not be identical to the actual gemstones but they are certainly closer than synthetic.

I agree, if it's supposed to be ruby, I expect it to be red.

Re: Lab Created Stones?

ennui1 — Sun, 18 May 2014 17:24:17 GMT

On 5/18/2014 CalmInTheHeart said:
I agree, if it's supposed to be ruby, I expect it to be red.

I think good rubies are red that tints to pink, as opposed to garnets, which are red that tints toward orange. Pigeon's blood is red/pink, btw, unlike human blood.

Re: Lab Created Stones?

HappyAndIKnowIt From NY — Sun, 18 May 2014 22:00:24 GMT

On 5/18/2014 CalmInTheHeart said:

There is a big difference between created and synthetic/simulated stones. Synthetics will always look fake (DMQ, a lot of JR stones, and such). Created will not be identical to the actual gemstones but they are certainly closer than synthetic.

I agree, if it's supposed to be ruby, I expect it to be red.

It has always been my understanding that a created gem is supposed to be the equvalent of a natural gem. The properties are the same. Thus a created ruby is considered to be a real ruby not a synthetic or simulant.

Re: Lab Created Stones?

D Oro — Sun, 18 May 2014 22:38:36 GMT

Inside Edition did a report of mislabeled and misleading rubies. JCK did an article featuring that report. The comments posted below the article make very important points.

You can read it here:https://tinyurl.com/nvld9dk

Re: Lab Created Stones?

stevieb — Mon, 19 May 2014 01:21:54 GMT

I have to agree. If they're going to do created stones, why not get the color right, or at least offer options.

Re: Lab Created Stones?

SANNA — Mon, 19 May 2014 03:11:49 GMT

Really the best Burmese rubies are red with pink glow/undertone. They call it pigeons blood color as was said above. I am also lucky to own a ring, pendant and a bracelet with Burmese rubies. With lab created they use a "seed" of corundum crystal and let it grow. Other words they expedite a natural process. Kind of like cultured pearls. Synthetics are just total junk and cost very little just like DMQ. Some synthetics are very well made and look very convincing.example is Russian alexandrites of modern times. They are created so well so they have perfect color change from teal green to red/purple. Like real deal stones.

Re: Lab Created Stones?

anniebear — Mon, 19 May 2014 18:31:24 GMT

The cut of the stone can have an adverse effect on the final color. For instance, if the stone has a much larger diameter than depth, more light will pass through it and the color will be less saturated. Not sure if that is what is causing the pinker ruby color you are describing, but it's not unusual to find very shallow cut stones (even naturally mined ones) that are made that way to make it look like they have more carat weight once in the setting. I'm sure it's a cost-cutting method, but one that can be very disappointing when used with certain colored gemstones.

Re: Lab Created Stones?

born2swim — Tue, 20 May 2014 21:38:08 GMT

Synthetics are created stones that have the same chemical, optical and physical properties as a natural stone. Most gemologists distinguish them from natural stones via microscopes or other tools. For example synthetic sapphire has curved growth characteristics whereas natural sapphire has straight growth patterns. Under the microscope you can see the difference. Most folks can't tell the difference (other than the fact that you can buy most synthetics for a fraction of the cost of a natural stone and they "look" really good).

Simulants can be anything. They look like the natural but they don't have the same chemical, optical, and physical properties as a natural stone. http://www.gia.edu/gem-imitation

Re: Lab Created Stones?

CalminHeart — Tue, 20 May 2014 23:02:00 GMT

On 5/18/2014 HappyAndIKnowIt From NY said:
On 5/18/2014 CalmInTheHeart said:

There is a big difference between created and synthetic/simulated stones. Synthetics will always look fake (DMQ, a lot of JR stones, and such). Created will not be identical to the actual gemstones but they are certainly closer than synthetic.

I agree, if it's supposed to be ruby, I expect it to be red.

It has always been my understanding that a created gem is supposed to be the equvalent of a natural gem. The properties are the same. Thus a created ruby is considered to be a real ruby not a synthetic or simulant.

They are close but not exact. Created will never match the original, natural gem. I can tell a difference 99% of the time. I've seen some excellent created stones, you'd never know they weren't real, and I've seen some pretty awful created stones.....that look fake from a mile away, not sure if they were mislabeled or just awful.