Common Terms

Gemstone: is a mineral or other natural material that is beautiful enough, durable enough, and rare enough, to be used for personal adornment or for the embellishment of personal possessions. This is the modern definition of a gemstone. Non-mineral gemstones include: coral, pearl, amber, ivory, these examples are all organic gemstones.

Natural: the term "natural" is placed before the name of a gemstone when there is a synthetic version of the stone available. The term gives no indication whether the gemstone has been treated or not, it simply indicates that the gemstone is of natural origin. Examples: - Natural Pink Sapphire (ie a synthetic is available), Synthetic Pink Sapphire (indicates it is not natural), Demantoid Garnet (no synthetic is produced so the term natural is not used).

Treated: Gemstones can undergo various treatments to enhance their value. These gemstones are still natural gemstones. Example: Natural Blue Sapphire - heat treated, Natural Emerald - oiled.

Synthetic: A synthetic 'gemstone' is a man-made material having the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and most physical properties of a (natural) gemstone. For example, Synthetic Ruby or Synthetic Diamond. Synthetic gemstones are sometimes called "lab-created", "created" or "man-made".

Imitation: Imitation gemstones are predominantly human-manufactured products that only visually resemble the gemstone they are intended to imitate. Examples: glass and composite stones (which are made from several components), have been used to 'imitate' gemstones. A gemstone can also be an imitation of another more valuable gemstone, eg a Blue Topaz may imitate an Aquamarine, or a Rubellite Tourmaline may imitate a Natural Ruby, and they are all natural gemstones. Imitation gemstones are sometimes called simulants.
 

Information on Gemstones including Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Topaz, Citrine, Cubic Zirconia, Peridot, Amethyst is Coming Soon...

Back to Education