On Mon, 23 Feb 2009 01:05:25 -0800, in rec.crafts.jewelry
(Paul Ciszek) wrote:


So what is the straight scoop? Are less-than-perfect natural gemstones
prefered over perfect lab grown ones at the retail level?


Usually, yes.

The effect of synthetics on the gem market has been interesting over the hundred
years or so that various synthetics have come on the market.

By making a great looking yet inexpensive version of a gem available at all, the
public's awareness and appreciation of colored gems has increased. Overall
demand for gems, both natural and synthetic has been increased by the
synthetic's availability.

And an interesting effect: Because many of the cheapest synthetics are
virtually flawless, similarly flawless natural stones end up being confused with
synthetics. The result is an increase in the demand for some of the less
perfect natural stones, since their pedegree as natural is much more evident. In
some cases, such as amethyst, where the synthetic is not only almost always
flawless, but is also quite difficult to identify as such even by jewelers,
what's happened is that the price of the finest natural qualities, with which
the synthetics compete, has actually fallen some, while the natural stones with
a few inclusions, has risen.

In general, early fears that synthetics would replace naturals has not proven to
be the case. The demand is not just for the look or durability, etc, of good
gemstones, but also considerably for the rarity of fine natural stones. It's
that rarity, exclusivity, natural origin, mystique, and maybe even just plain
snob appear, even when the naturals are not really all that rare (like diamond)
that drives this. Synthetics support the lower end of the market so people who
like the look fine gems but cannot afford the natural ones, still get much of
the enjoyment. Meanwhile, those same synthetics increase the appeal, demand
for, and price, of the rare finest gems.

Peter Rowe G.G.