I think the word “synthetic” is what misleads people (including me, before some of you were kind enough to help educate us). For example, synthetic fabrics were fabrics that weren’t cotton or wool.
Calling these gems “lab grown” seems more appropriate.
This is like oxytocin vs pitocin! Same chemical, but when it’s created in your body it’s the source of all good and when it’s created in a lab it’s the source of all evil!
First, I think the “answer” to the real vs synthetic lies with each couple. Whatever makes them happy is correct.
I had a discussion with a jeweler, higher end store, about real vs manufactured at Christmas time. I’d be interested in any comments from those who know more than I do. DH and I were shopping and thought one particular display case had gems that were particularly “sparkly” - leading me to ask if they were “real”. We were told that this case did hold “manufactured gems” and that the jewelry store was required to label and sell it as such. It is only in relatively recent years (we were told) that the stores were allowed to sell “manufactured” gems at all. I can’t remember now how the prices compared to other pieces with natural gems - I don’t recall seeing a bargain. I also don’t know if the overly “sparkly” quality I noticed was my imagination, different lighting, or the effect of an entire case full of different gems and settings. I was turned off because the display made me think of Swarovsky which is not what I would be looking for at a higher end jeweler.
I enjoy shopping (mostly shopping - not buying!) for estate jewelry. These items often seem premium priced, due I suppose to “antique value”.
I have to plead not guilty on that one. You’ll have to negotiate with the offenders separately! >:)
Actually, I really wasn’t aware of synthetic/lab grown gemstones before reading this thread, nor was I aware of stones being heat-treated, so it has been educational.
Consolation, wait, there is more! A co developed a process to “diamondize” cubic zirconia by depositing a layer of diamond on its surface! 
Apparently, it makes CZ visually indistinguishable from diamonds (of course, other properties such as density, thermo conductivity etc. still differ). It really is fascinating stuff.
Sometimes science is too much.
Kidding, a little. It’s just the thought of so much energy being put into jewelry.
The research towards synthetic stones was mostly driven by their industrial applications. It is very doubtful that we would be taking about lab-made jewels today if jewelry was the only application of sapphires and diamonds.
@lookingforward , that is likely because the jewelry industry has felt the pain of a bad economy over the last several years. So many have gone out of business. I suppose they have to reinvent themselves to appeal to a different demographic than they did before.
I have a pair of synthetic ruby earrings that Mr. bought me in 1993 (?) - they were clearly marked as such, and the price reflected it. Here is a link with some history of the development of ruby-making processes:
yes, Bunsen Burner , but the demand has risen and become more acceptable than it once was
For instance , my former MIL had what she thought was valuable jade jewelry that belonged to her mother…it was nothing more than dyed mother of pearl. It was old, yes , but she had no idea it wasn’t worth any more than a few buttons that were cut off old sweaters back when women all owned " button boxes "
Still it does not mean that a meager uptick in the demand was the main driver for the development of these technologies.
How does your example of your MIL pearlized buttons support your assertion that the processes were developed to prop up the floundering jewelry industry? /headscratch.
Further to @BunsenBurner 's #186, I looked at some info because of this thread, and the article said only 2% of the synthetic diamond and carborundum are used in jewelry. The industrial amd medical applications are what it’s all about.
Perhaps not …you could likely confirm with someone currently working in the industry. My point is, it would have been considered un acceptable for a fine jeweler to sell lab created, man made gems not so long ago and now it apparently is not.
You are a scientist , I worked ( although years ago ) in the fine jewelry industry.
I can say with full confidence that it would not have flown or been a desirable product then…There are stores ( think Edwin Pearl ) that base their product off of artificial gems that look authentic. A lot of women buy those pieces to wear when they are not comfortable wearing expensive jewelry
Also , the cost of precious metals has skyrocketed , much like it did in the late 1970s . My point of reference regarding MIL’s jewelry that she thought was valuable was to agree with you that synthetic stones have been around for a a very long time, not a recent development. The disclosure of the authenticity of product is more regulated since then , in many products sold in jewelry stores
I shipped a ring, UPS, insured it for what I assumed was the value. The package did not make the transition from the lock box in the big city near me to a truck, they never found it
I was quite annoyed that they would not just pay the insured value, but required an appraisal, how would i get that when the ring was gone? Luckily it disappeared on the way back from the jeweler and he was able to satisfy them, but I had not followed the surge in gold prices so it was underinsured. Get an appraisal for replacement value.
I love sapphires so I think this would be a beautiful engagement ring – http://www.ross-simons.com/products/494847.html#BVRRContainer
But if she wanted a diamond (I have never had any experience with this vender, but this seems really pretty) Maybe in a solitaire setting…they also have sapphires…http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.72-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-861646 – set in a setting like this one … http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/Scott-Kay-Palladium-Silver-1-4ct-TDW-Diamond-Semi-Mount-Engagement-Ring-G-H-VS2/9998715/product.html?refccid=XNYI64UEYZY33GCD54HFLCEXGY&searchidx=2 – Or http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Watches/A-JAFFE-18k-White-Gold-Cubic-Zirconia-Semi-Mount-Solitaire-Engagement-Ring-Set/9568450/product.html?recset=dedd4ced-711c-4ede-98eb-bd75f2b1499b&refccid=UNV5OA22HAJZP52OOKDLJ25UIY&recalg=828,512&recidx=0… 
. He might want to check and see if she has a pinterest board with rings? So exciting!
“Also , the cost of precious metals has skyrocketed , much like it did in the late 1970s .”
The price of jewelry does not always reflect the price of gold futures and vice versa. There is no efficient market for those engagement rings…
That’s a fascinating article.
I finally clicked on this thread because I was curious how the topic of synthetic sapphires could get to 14 pages. I found this all so fascinating.
Am I the only female on this planet who couldn’t care at all about wearing gems – real, synthetic, fake? I have never seen a diamond I like. The ring I wear is neither an engagement ring nor a gold band – it’s something we found in a cute little crafty store just before we married 30+ years ago – I think it’s real gold, with a teeny tiny sapphire – but I’m pretty sure we paid less than $200. I still love it. I don’t own a piece of jewelry that costs more than $200 and most cost under $50. And I own a lot of earrings - most bought from craft shows.
My daughter tends to be like me in this regard. I think the most expensive jewelry she owns costs $25. I’ll be real curious to see what happens if and when she’s ever faced with this.
If I were the girlfriend, I’d say – no way are we spending that much money on a ring! I have never cared, and I still don’t care! But I guess I’m in the .01% on this!
Interesting article,BB. (I just wish it hadn’t started with her egg whites.) Jewelry, like sterling flatware, has desirability in the eye of the beholder. And as amalgams, you really can’t just look at the price of gold.
We all have things that don’t interest us. I am probably in the .01% of women who haven’t the slightest interest in makeup, hair stylists (I cut my own, never permed) or coloring (never have, never will), mani/pedi, pricey skin care products, spa treatments and complex beauty regimens generally. I just find it all unnecessary.
I do use sunscreen, though, and I like some perfumes.
Isn’t it great that we’re not all the same?