Lab-grown gemstones have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as mined gemstones of the same type. While mined gemstones are also referred to as “natural," both mined and lab-grown gemstones are real gemstones that form naturally under the right conditions.
The main difference is where they come from: lab-grown gemstones grow aboveground while mined gemstones grow underground.
Simulated gemstones, or imitations, mimic a gemstone’s appearance but have different chemical and physical properties. Conversely, lab-grown gemstones, also called synthetic gemstones, have the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical properties as their mined counterparts.
They are genuine gemstones, distinguished by their origin—not their properties. Therefore, “lab-grown” better describes these gemstones than the term "synthetic.”
Lab-grown gemstones have the same hardness as the corresponding mined gemstone.
Because Chatham cuts away approximately 80% of the rough to deliver only the highest quality material and achieve exceptional clarity, our lab-grown gemstones may offer greater durability than comparable mined stones. Plus, Chatham’s lifetime warranty on all lab-grown colored gemstones means you can wear them every day without
worry.
When buying a lab-grown gemstone, consider how the gemstone is grown and its resulting crystal structure.
Chatham grows gemstones over approximately a year, allowing their natural crystal structure to develop. Because Chatham gems can be difficult to distinguish from mined gems visually, Chatham provides cut samples to gemological laboratories for identification.
