Never believe a price that’s too good to be true.
Synthetic emeralds are a beautiful, affordable alternative to natural.
Synthetic emeralds will never increase in value.

Let’s cut to the chase. Synthetic emeralds are actual stones that have been grown in a lab with the same chemical construction as those found in nature. Imitations are basically glass. Before we talk about glass, a brief overview of defining characteristics found in synthetics is a good idea.

Synthetics: Dealers will call them "created," "cultured" or "man-made," these names sound better, but they’re still synthetic. There is nothing wrong with owning a created stone, as long as you know what you’re buying. As a matter of fact, lab-grown emeralds have some very attractive features.

1. They cost a lot less than natural stones
2. They tend to be more free from flaws, making them stronger while exhibiting greater clarity
3. You can own a beautiful created emerald that, if natural, might otherwise be way out of your price range

The two obvious drawbacks are:

1. Synthetics will never increase in value. They will decrease
2. There is nothing like owning a beautiful emerald that you know came from the depths of natures own factory.

In most cases, you will need to hire a professional appraiser to tell the difference between natural and synthetic stones, but if you look at enough natural emeralds you can familiarize yourself with the color and clarity you should expect from nature. Synthetics will tend to be a little more perfect green, and have far fewer flaws. If you are about to spend a lot of money, and the stone looks a little too perfect, make sure to have an impartial gemologist inspect the stone for you.

One more thing, don’t confuse lab-grown green cubic zirconia (cz) with lab-grown emeralds. Although, CZ is a viable option to natural emeralds, it should sell for substantially less than created emeralds.

Imitations: Almost always glass, imitation emeralds have been around for centuries. Again, there is nothing wrong with these fakes, as long as nobody tries to sell them to you as real. The best way to tell the difference is to simply get to know the flaws that are particular to glass. Look at your wine glasses closely; see those bubbles? You will find similar inclusions in glass emeralds. Also, keep an eye out for facets that are too simple, or concave, "stones" that are too perfect, or prices that are just too low. Beware of closed-back settings on jewelry. This is the best way to hide flaws, imitations and deceptive treatments.

Deceptive Practices: Basically, all treatments, synthetics and imitations are totally acceptable market enhancers for one of the most valuable gemstones on earth. They only become a problem when unscrupulous dealers attempt to pass any of them off as natural, untreated, unenhanced gems. Here’s some things to look out for:

1. Varnish coatings to make the stone appear greener.
2. Foil backings, where tin foil is sealed on the bottom of the stone and then placed in a closed back setting. This makes for higher reflection, and enhanced color and clarity.
3. Some synthetics are too free from flaws. So, deceptive dealers will heat the created stone and then throw it in cold water causing it to crack, giving it the appearance of a natural stone. This is called Quench-Cracking.
4. Composites. When either a natural stone has been glued to a synthetic or imitation to add weight. This process is fairly easy to detect in loose stones, but watch out for mounted emeralds where the connection can be hidden.
5. Watch out for any dealer selling emeralds with added names like "Evening Emerald," or "Oriental Emerald." Anytime you see one of these types of monikers, beware! An emerald is an emerald and doesn’t need an additional name to add to its beauty and value.
6. Don’t buy emeralds through the mail, including the internet, unless you get a money-back guarantee and you have thoroughly checked out the company with the Gemological Institute of America or the American Gemological Association, or the Better Business Bureau.

Answer to quiz: b