Artificial gemstones

[Joss]

Hi all,

I am curious whether knifemakers are aware of the availability of artificial gemstoines, and whether they use them. Companies such as Chatham sell lab-grown stones (rubies, emeralds, diamonds, opals, etc) at fairlyt low price compared to the mined ones. As far as I understand, those are chemically and structurally equivalent to natural stones - only they're much cheaper.

Does anyone know anything about that? Are they used by some makers? (Obviously, even cheaper than mined stones, they're still pretty expensive.)

 

[howiesatwork]

I don't think it would make a appreciable difference, as most gemstones used on knives I see are small. with the exception of opal... I've seen some Gilson that looked okay in knives.

 

[Joss]

Even big ones don't make a difference. Some companies are now in the process of coming out with stones that are better quality / appeal than natural stones if you discount the mystic of the mined stones.

 

[sleepy]

Even big ones don't make a difference. Some companies are now in the process of coming out with stones that are better quality / appeal than natural stones if you discount the mystic of the mined stones.

Unless a customer asks for lab stones I prefer to stick with natural stones just for that reason unless a customer asks for them in particular or it is a personal peice and I want better color/quality than what is available(whether supply or cost reasons). A natural high quality emerald with good color,cut, and clarity of much more than 1/2-1 ct is almost impossible to find find at a price your average person can afford. Same goes for alexandrite, tanzanite and many other stones that have dwindling supply and high demand. I don't really use stones in any of my knives or atleast haven't yet but I do use alot of them in my jewelry making.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

As a goldsmith/jeweler I can tell you that there is a difference:
Chemically and structurally the same - Yes that is true,but remember, the abrasive on your grinding belts is chemically and structurally the same as ruby and sapphire.The lab created stones often don't look the same as natural stones.The lab rubies and sapphires are too rich in color.The lab emeralds are too green (and too perfect).The lab alexandrite is not the same color as a natural stone.The lab opals are attractive,and of better stability than natural opals, but the difference in looks is vast.
Most simulated (look alikes, but not lab grown) stones are made from man-made corundum (chemically the same as ruby and sapphire),and are "doped" with trace elements to get the color desired. These stones are very inexpensive,and are used in knives occasionally. The use of Gilson and Chatham lab-created stones is less common because they are not cheap. They cost less than natural stones, but still can cost several hundred dollars a carat. Simulated 1ct. ruby = $2-5, lab-grown 1ct. ruby = $200-300.
I offer lab stones to customers who want a certain birthstone, but don't want the expense of the natural stone.
As for unavailability - with the exception of alexandrite (which is extremely rare ) most times when you are told the stones are "unavailable" it is just selling hype. I am told by a customer at least once a week that Tanzanite is no longer mined. That is pure bunk.
A final note for those who are interested, Alexandrite (natural) does not look like the stone you see in rings. It is a brownish red that changes to a brownish green with a change from incandescent to natural (more UV) light.It is usually not all that attractive. The purplish stone everyone has used for well over 100 years was the color created by the synthetic stone industry to use for a June birthstone. Since almost no one ever sees a real Alexandrite, no one is the wiser.Go to the Smithsonian and see what a real one looks like.They are also not large. A natural alexandrite over 1 carat ( about 6mm) is a museum stone. The one the size of your fingernail in grandma's ring was a synthetic.
Stacy