Gemstones - natural, enhanced, synthetic, simulant - I'm SOOO confused! - By: Carolyn Sunday

Ever wonder about all the different stones that are used in jewelry, and what the terms mean? Here are four basic categories:

1. natural- meaning the gem was naturally mined out of the earth and then cut and faceted into its final form. (or tumbled into beads, or simply polished into a cabochon- a highly polished and simply domed cut)

2. natural with enhancements - (Nearly ALL gems on the market place today fall into this category) meaning the stone is natural but has in some way been enhanced to improve the color or clarity - usually heat treating to improve or change the color or laser drilled to remove unsightly inclusions.

3. synthetic - (laboratory created) the stone was not formed in nature but in the laboratory, and has the exact same measurable physical properties (refractive index, specific gravity, mohs hardness, etc) as its natural counterpart. Natural "seed" crystals are typically used to begin the growth process, but there are a multitude of methods used in lab grown specimens.

4. simulant - the stone simply resembles natural or synthetic, but is usually glass or another inexpensive material. These are made to imitated natural gems.

Separating simulants from synthetics and naturals is quite easy, but separating synthetics from natural gems, and detecting enhancements in natural gems requires the skills of a gemologist. Did you know that nearly all commercial grade pieces on the market place today have been enhanced in someway or another? (hence the appeal of antique jewelry! enhancements were not as prevalent then as they are now). Here are two additional web sites for you to check out that discuss the various methods of enhancement used in modern gems:

http://www.addmorecolortoyourlife.com/gemstones/gem-enhancement.asp

http://www.bwsmigel.info/Lesson8/DE.Gem.Enhancement.html

Do not confuse enhancements with synthetics. Natural gems with enhancements include but are not limited to irradiation (quartz, diamond), laser drilling (diamonds), heat treating (citrine, ruby, sapphire, beryl), oiling/impregnating (emerald), and use of doublets and triplets (opals), waxing/ dying (turquoise, lapis, jade, coral), and bleaching (pearls).

Enhancing in of itself is not a bad thing! It improves the appearance, saleability, and brings to the market place an enormous amount of beautiful and appealing gems that would other wise be unavailable or unaffordable to the average consumer! It can even improve the stability and the durability of a gem. If not disclosed, assume that the gem has been enhanced. Be sure to ask your jeweler for care and cleaning instructions and follow those carefully so that you will be able to enjoy your gem for a lifetime.

Ever wonder about all the different stones that are used in jewelry, and what the terms mean? Here are four basic categories:

"The Love Nest" - blog article written by Ruby Lane shop owner Carolyn Sunday, http://sundayandsunday.blogspot.com. Ed and Carolyn Sunday- Uniontown, Ohio. Specializing in antique jewelry and vintage watches, with emphasis on Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, and Art Nouveau eras. http://www.rubylane.com/shops/thelovenest