What Is the Difference Between Natural and Lab Created Gemstones on Gems N Gems?

Gems N Gems sells both natural gemstones and lab created gemstones, and the main difference is origin: natural stones form in the earth, while lab created stones are grown in a controlled environment. Both can share the same chemical composition and crystal structure, so the choice usually comes down to budget, intended use, and personal preference rather than one being a "fake" version of the other.

Natural vs. Lab Created: The Core Difference

Natural gemstones are mined from the earth. They form over long geological periods, and their supply is limited by what can be found and extracted. On Gems N Gems, examples include:

• Natural Tanzanite, Round AAA — $28.00 to $1,795.00
• Natural Aquamarine, Round AAA — $23.80 to $990.00

Lab created gemstones are grown in a laboratory using processes that replicate the conditions under which the same material forms in nature. Examples on the site include:

• Lab Created Diamond (CVD, Round, DEF Color, VVS Quality) — $21.49 to $2,597.01
• Lab Created Pulled Czochralski Ruby, Round — $29.15 to $3,980.00
• Lab Created Pulled Czochralski Blue Sapphire, Cushion — $25.50 to $1,220.00
• Lab Created Hydrothermal Colombian Emerald, Octagon — $29.70 to $1,199.00
• Lab Created Moissanite AAA, Round DEF Color — $23.15 to $470.15
• Lab Created Hydrothermal Emerald, Oval — $26.15 to $245.00
• Lab Created Pulled Czochralski Blue Paraiba, Cushion — $29.15 to $1,220.00
• Lab Created Blue Sapphire Rough — $90.00

The key point is that a lab created ruby is still ruby in its chemical makeup — it is not a different material imitating ruby. What differs is how it came to exist.

How the Two Categories Compare

Notice that price ranges overlap. A lab created stone is not automatically cheaper than a natural one — a large, high-quality lab created diamond or ruby can cost more than a smaller natural stone. Price depends on the specific material, size, and quality grade, not just on whether it is natural or lab grown.

Why Lab Created Stones Can Match Natural Ones

Lab created diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds are grown using methods that reproduce the natural material's structure. Gems N Gems lists specific growth methods in its product names, which tells you how each stone was produced:

• CVD (chemical vapor deposition) — used for the Lab Created Diamond
• Pulled Czochralski — used for the Ruby, Blue Sapphire, and Blue Paraiba
• Hydrothermal — used for the Colombian Emerald and Oval Emerald

These are established synthesis methods, and the resulting stones have the same optical and physical properties as their natural equivalents. That is why a lab created stone can be cut, set, and worn exactly like a natural one.

How to Choose

There is no universally "better" option. Use these conditions to decide:

• Choose natural if the origin story matters to you — for example, a tanzanite or aquamarine that formed naturally and carries the rarity that comes with mining.
• Choose lab created if you want a specific material, size, or quality grade with more predictable availability — for example, a DEF color, VVS quality diamond where you can select the exact variant.
• Compare by price range, not by category. Since both natural and lab created stones on Gems N Gems span wide price ranges, check the specific product's range and variant options before assuming which is more affordable.
• Check the variant options. Many listings show a price range and a "Select options" control, meaning the final price depends on the size or grade you pick.

A Practical Note on Browsing

Each product page on Gems N Gems lets you add items to a wishlist and select variants before purchase. If you are comparing a natural stone against a lab created one, open both product pages and compare the price range, the stated quality grade (such as AAA or VVS), and the shape and cut. That side-by-side view is the most reliable way to judge which stone fits your budget and purpose.