Colored gem beauties (lab-created)

by lambskin » Jul 23, 2018

Are labs still making color change garnets or Alex's? I bought a vintage one that I love. I bet the technology and cutting is far superior now.

 

by icy_jade » Jul 23, 2018

Hi @elle_71125

Thanks for creating this thread and posting my new lab sapphire! I’ll come back to post pics when I get the sapphire but in the mean time hope to see other lab stones here and also how do you feel about them?

Do they deter or push you towards getting natural/mined gems? Why?

 

by mrsgreeneyes » Jul 23, 2018

OH SH%T! That emerald would have gotten me, too! Bless, I'll be watching like a hawk from here on out...

 

by Babyblue033 » Jul 23, 2018

I have 3 lab stones, pink sapphire I got years ago (sorry no photos), and emerald and blue sapphire I just got from Jeff White. Emerald is not in my possession because I sent it off to CvB to be set, so only 1 photo from the day I got it.

I was not expecting to love it as much as I did, never been much of a fan of emeralds, but stone just blew me away. I had no plans to set it but after seeing it I just HAD to wear it so off it went to be set.


Blue sapphire wasn't quite what I expected and honestly I'm still getting used to it. It looks very violet in most lighting conditions, there is quite bit of gray as well. Color really shifts a lot, I see more blue outdoors and even the tone shifts from light medium to dark. Very interesting stone and of course cut beautifully.



I'm finding I don't mind the lab stones when they are high quality and cut by precision cutters. For stones I would normally never be able to afford in the size I want, this is a great alternative.

 

by lovedogs » Jul 23, 2018

omg @Babyblue033 those are OUTSTANDING! I adore them!

ETA: @lambskin here's a lab alex from Precision Gem: http://www.precisiongem.com/gemstackpage/gems.php?product/page/1594/Gem+2022-+Alexandrite+Lab

I'd be super curious to see a video of this one.

MoissaniteCo also sells them: https://www.moissaniteco.com/cultured_alexandrite.html

 

by molecule » Jul 23, 2018

I agree 100% and could even state that as a scientist, I prefer the lab stones- I find it awe inspiring that we are able to replicate (and sometimes even perfect) what is made naturally. But I can't appreciate the badly cut stones or sometimes I find I don't love the color; typical lab sapphires were a shade of blue that I don't appreciate, I find they lack dimensionality, but one similar to @Babyblue033 's and I would snatch it up.

I have a precision cut YAG cut by Uli at osirisgems that I had set by DK earlier this year.

Other precision cutters of lab made gemstones that I've found are:
Alternative Lapidary
Osiris Gems (He gets some really unique material- and his cuts.... amazing)
Stag and Finch

 

by Sezzwho » Jul 24, 2018

@Babyblue033 I am so in love with that sapphire lol. It's such an amazing shade I have to admit I'm envious.

 

by LJsapphire » Jul 24, 2018

@Babyblue033 another one in the sapphire loving club

 

by bludiva » Jul 24, 2018

bookmarking...these cuts are ridonkulous

 

by voce » Jul 30, 2018

Like @elle_71125 also curious to see more pics of this sapphire.

After seeing the ones from @Babyblue033 and @molecule I also agree that from an objective and aesthetic point of view, lab gemstones can be more beautiful than natural gems. However, they are readily available and just more uniform in characteristics, so you get less unique variation from gemstone to gemstone, less interesting to collect.

I think that hunting down rare, unique gems is fun on its own, and becomes part of a story once you set them. For this reason I want to own a real alexandrite before I buy a lab made one. For people who don't like to shop and hunt down gemstones, getting a lab stone is probably the better way to go.

I have had some more time to think about this since this thread was first created, and I don't think lab gems deter or push me towards getting natural/mined gems.

There's the joy of finding a one-of-a-kind natural gemstone, and then there's the joy of wearing a gemstone and loving it for its beauty, which is better with lab gemstones.

I think I will always collect natural gemstones for fun, and so lab gems would only be worth it for me if I wear the gemstone often. I think that as I get older and pass on my gemstones to children, I will get more and more lab stones to wear myself. For the time being, however, I hope to admire them on others' fingers.

 

by mrsgreeneyes » Aug 5, 2018

I missed the emerald.

 

by SailingGem » Aug 5, 2018

Missed the emerald again, too! You PSers are like lightning!

 

by kindred » Aug 5, 2018

Not sure when the Rhodalite garnet went up, but I wish it was mine!!!

 

by mrsgreeneyes » Aug 6, 2018

Darn you! *shakes fist* You posted that beauty to tempt me and you had it the whole time!

But in all sincerity, my fingers are crossed for you that you got it. And PLEASE post pics once you receive!

 

by mrsgreeneyes » Aug 6, 2018

Is it confirmed yet?? I cannot wait to see pics!

 

by dk168 » Aug 7, 2018

I have 2 neon pink lab created Sapphires purchased from The Gemstone Project, one round and one EC. No pics on my phone to post, and I shall dig out the vendors pics from my laptop later.

Jeff White will be cutting a chubby lab created Emerald for me. No pics yet.

DK

 

by LJsapphire » Aug 7, 2018

Wow the Alex on the left is so pretty

 

by Maisie » Aug 7, 2018

I have a concave cut blue sapphire from BTD. It’s hard to see the concave cut with my eyes. I do love the colour even though it’s quite a dark blue.

 

by Maisie » Aug 7, 2018

Thank you! I do love it very much