---
title: "Synthetic gemstone: meaning in gemology"
description: "A synthetic gemstone is made in a laboratory and has essentially the same chemistry and properties as the natural gem. A synthetic ruby is ruby, made by people."
url: https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/synthetic-gemstone
image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/og-digital-gemology.png?v=d224fb01
---

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[Glossary](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary) · Treatments and origin

# Synthetic gemstone

Also called laboratory-grown, lab-created, laboratory-created, lab-grown gemstone

A synthetic gemstone is made in a laboratory and has essentially the same chemistry and properties as the natural gem. A synthetic ruby is ruby, made by people.

## In more detail

US FTC Guides require a word such as 'laboratory-grown' or 'laboratory-created' right before the gem name, equally visible. Moissanite in jewelry is synthetic moissanite. Sold as an imitation of diamond, it is a diamond simulant.

## On a grading report

Labs state laboratory-grown material as such.

## Related terms

- [Simulant](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/simulant): A simulant is a material that looks like a gem but has a different chemistry, structure and properties. Cubic zirconia, moissanite and glass are diamond simulants.
- [Flame fusion](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/flame-fusion): Flame fusion grows synthetic crystals by dropping fine powder through a very hot flame. The melted drops build up a crystal on a pedestal below.
- [Flux growth](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/flux-growth): Flux growth is a way to grow synthetic crystals from a chemical solvent (flux). Crystals form as the hot solution slowly cools.
- [Hydrothermal growth](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/hydrothermal-growth): Hydrothermal growth makes synthetic crystals in a hot water solution under high pressure.
- [Moissanite](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/moissanite): Moissanite is silicon carbide, one silicon atom for every carbon atom, in a hexagonal crystal. It is a diamond simulant, and every moissanite in jewelry is laboratory-grown.
- [Disclosure](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/disclosure): Disclosure is telling the buyer, before the sale, that a gem is treated, laboratory-grown or an imitation.

## Learn more

- [Diamond vs moissanite: two look-alikes, two different materials](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/diamond-vs-moissanite/diamond-vs-moissanite-differences)
- [Moissanite certificates vs diamond grading reports](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/diamond-vs-moissanite/moissanite-certificate-vs-diamond-report)

[All 328 terms](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary)