What is a simulant? It is a material that looks like a gem but is not one. A natural gem forms in the earth, and a synthetic gem is grown in a lab.
What is a natural, a synthetic and a simulant? And what are the differences? Lets first look at what a gem is.
Key Takeaways
- Natural gems: formed in nature, under natural conditions, over a very long time.
- Synthetic gems: lab created from the natural ingredients, typically with heat and pressure.
- Simulants: materials that look like the real thing but are not, such as cubic zirconia or glass.
- Hardness: a hardness of 6 or more on the Mohs scale is recommended for a stone that will be worn every day.
- Honesty: any of the three is fine, provided the seller tells you which one it is.
What is a gem?
A gem is a classification given to an item that meets 3 criteria.
- Rare: It must be rare. There must be a limited, or at least an easy way to control the supply of the item in question.
- Lustre: It must have a high lustre. The item in question must have pleasing visual qualities.
- Hardness: It must have a degree of hardness. Generally speaking, a hardness of no less than 6 on the Mohs hardness scale is recommended, otherwise it will break or scratch very easily. 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest. The mineral talc is in first place and diamond is in 10th.
It is advised that, for lower ranking gems (such as tanzanite for example, which is 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale) that you consult a knowledgeable jeweller and they can make recommendations for its use, like pendants and earrings as opposed to rings, depending on the regularity of it being worn etc.
The title of gems don’t only apply to stones. Pearls, jet, amber and several other gems have organic origins.
What is a natural gem?
A natural gem is one that has been formed in nature, under natural conditions and relying on the environment in a given area to be just right and for a long enough period of time for the gem to form.
For example, provided all the minerals and elements that go into creating a ruby are present in a specific location, and lets say that the temperatures were too high, rubies would not form because the chemicals and elements that make up rubies would be in a molten state.
- When the temperature in the earth cools down to the point where rubies will crystallise and assimilate, they will do so and for as long as the temperature is within a specific range.
- As it continues to cool, it will eventually be too cold for rubies to form and their forming phase would come to an end.
- This new temperature range may not be suitable for rubies, but other gems may start to form provided their minerals are all present and the temperature is constant for long enough for them to assimilate.
What is a synthetic gem?
Synthetics are simply lab created gems using all the natural ingredients as they would occur in nature, typically combined with heat and pressure, such as the hydrothermal process.
It is not uncommon that lab created gems are sold as natural gems. This is because natural gems have a higher asking price than synthetics. There are gem identification systems and processes in place, however they are always one step behind.
Natural, synthetic and simulant at a glance
| Type | What it is | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Natural | Formed in nature, under natural conditions | Ruby, sapphire, emerald |
| Synthetic | Lab created from the natural ingredients, with heat and pressure | Synthetic ruby, synthetic emerald, synthetic sapphire |
| Simulant | Looks like the real thing but is a different material | Cubic zirconia, glass, green plastic |
The reason is that as technology progresses in the creation of synthetic gems and makes them look ever more like natural gems, new methods need to be developed to identify them. Synthetic ruby, synthetic emerald and synthetic sapphires are just 3 commonly seen synthetic gems.
What is a simulant?
Simulants are materials that look like the real thing, but are not. Examples of this is cubic zirconia being passed off as diamond, or even green plastic or glass being sold as emerald, be it synthetic or natural.
There is nothing wrong with any of the above options provided that when they are sold, the client is fully aware of the facts regarding the stones makeup and which of the 3 categories it falls under.
How to Tell What You Are Buying
Gem identification is always one step behind new technology, so an honest seller is your best check. Before you buy, ask these questions:
- Which of the 3 categories is it? A seller should tell you straight away if a stone is natural, synthetic or a simulant.
- How was it made? A natural stone formed in the earth, a synthetic was grown in a lab, and a simulant is a different material.
- How hard is it? Look for 6 or more on the Mohs scale if the stone is going into a ring.
- How do I care for it? Softer stones often suit pendants and earrings better than rings.
Choosing a Stone with Vinny & Charles
Every ring at Vinny & Charles is hand crafted in Perth, so you can ask us exactly what a stone is. Browse our moissanite engagement rings, lab diamond engagement rings and gemstone wedding rings to see the stones you can choose from.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a simulant?
A simulant is a material that looks like a gem but is a different material. Cubic zirconia sold as diamond, and glass or green plastic sold as emerald, are common examples. Simulants are fine for you to buy, provided the seller makes it clear that your stone is a simulant and not a natural or synthetic gem.
Is a synthetic gem a real gem?
A synthetic gem is made in a lab from the same natural ingredients as the natural stone, typically using heat and pressure, such as the hydrothermal process. That makes it a lab created gem rather than a mined one. A simulant is different, because it is made of another material altogether.
What is the difference between a synthetic and a simulant?
A synthetic has the same ingredients as the natural stone, so a synthetic ruby is still ruby. A simulant only looks like the real thing, so cubic zirconia is not diamond at all. Both can be sold honestly, as long as the buyer is told which of the 3 categories the stone falls under.
How hard should a gemstone be for a ring?
A hardness of no less than 6 on the Mohs scale is recommended, where talc is 1 and diamond is 10. Lower ranking gems, such as tanzanite at 6.5, are often better as pendants and earrings. A knowledgeable jeweller can recommend the best use for each stone.
Browse Our Rings or Ask Us a Question
Browse our engagement rings and order online with free express shipping on all orders, or call us on +61 8 6323 8494 to talk through your options.
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