ARE LAB-GROWN GEMSTONES REAL? OR ARE THEY ARTIFICIAL?
Our lab-grown gemstones and diamonds are grown in a lab using cutting edge technology. Natural ingredients are placed in an environment created to duplicate nature. Once the required combination of chemical and environmental factors is created, the gemstone crystals grow. This process can take anywhere from two weeks to one full year, depending on the variety of stone. The fully grown crystals have physical, chemical, and optical properties that are identical to those found in nature.
ARE ALL LAB-GROWN GEMSTONES EQUAL?
No. An inexperienced buyer will often come across gemstones that are created quickly and cheaply, using a method that does not produce an outcome where the internal structure of the gem is the same as its mined counterpart.
At Fiere, we only source premium quality gemstones from top North American suppliers. The stones are sell are internally structurally the same as their mined counterpart and therefore, give off the same brilliance and reflection.
CAN I TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CREATED GEMSTONES AND MINED GEMSTONES?
Unless you’re a certified gemologist with a powerful microscope, you won’t be able to tell the difference between our lab-created gemstones and mined gemstones. Every gemological laboratory in the world has reference samples of the lab created gemstones we use in our rings to aid in the separation. To be at the forefront of full disclosure, our lab partner contributes samples and updates whenever something new is released.
WHY DO OUR GEMSTONES AND DIAMONDS LOOK BETTER THAN THEIR MINED COUNTERPARTS?
Under laboratory conditions, computers control temperatures, while foreign materials found in the earth are eliminated from the starting chemicals used. This makes the crystal growth more predictable and consistent. Lower quality stones are not released for sale.
ARE THERE COST SAVINGS WITH LAB-GROWN GEMSTONES?
Yes, the price difference between lab created gemstones and mined gemstones of similar quality can be dramatic, depending on your stone choice.
DO YOU OFFER A WARRANTY?
For your peace of mind, our lab partner provides a Lifetime Warranty for all our coloured precious gemstones (Sapphires, Emeralds, Alexandrite, and Rubies). Our lab will gladly repair or replace your stone at no charge if it should chip or break under ordinary circumstances, or if any defect in the workmanship or materials become apparent.
For Moissanite, our lab partner offers a limited lifetime warranty, covering the stone's optical properties for as long as you own it. This includes color, clarity, luster, fire, and brilliance.
Diamonds are not covered under warranty.
ARE THESE STONES ENHANCED OR COLOUR TREATED?
No. All of our gemstones are grown in a lab under a controlled environment producing the most vividly saturated colour possible. The chemical structure and colouring agents are the same as its mined counterparts.
ARE LAB-GROWN GEMSTONES AS DURABLE AS MINED GEMSTONES?
Yes. In fact, often more durable because they have fewer inclusions than most of their mined counterparts. This is because 80% of rough stone is typically cut away to deliver near “flawless” pieces. The hardness of our stones are exactly the same as their mined counterparts.
ARE LAB-GROWN GEMSTONES “GREEN”?
No products have zero environmental impact. But it’s true that the production of our lab-grown gemstones does not require moving large amounts of earth like mining. Crystal growers do use energy and chemicals derived from the earth but the carbon footprint of crystal growth is a small fraction of natural gemstone mining.