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What to Call a Man-made Diamond?
October 15th, 2013
by Bill Boyajian

A “synthetic” gem material has essentially the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as a natural gem. But most consumers really don’t understand the difference between a synthetic and one that simply imitates the “look” of a natural gem. I have never liked the term synthetic because the public, in general, doesn’t understand it. Even some people in the trade don’t understand it. A synthetic diamond is a diamond. It’s just manufactured by man, as opposed to created by nature.

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There should be a better way of accurately and clearly describing a synthetic gem material without using terms that are misleading to tradespeople, and especially to consumers. I don’t like the now-approved use of the term “cultured” diamond (even though the terms man-made, lab-grown, or synthetic must precede it or be preceded by it) because it doesn’t clearly describe the essence of the material. I have always liked the term “laboratory-grown” because it clearly discloses that the material is not natural, yet doesn’t identify it in a negative light. I’m less inclined to use the term “lab-created,” but it does seem better than the word synthetic.

There is nothing inherently wrong with the sale and promotion of man-made materials. Yet many are afraid of the reality of laboratory-grown diamonds, even though we’ve lived with man-made synthetic colored gemstones for a century or more. The key is to call a gem material what it is, and to refuse to misuse terms or mislead the public. Doing anything less is an embarrassment to our trade. Moreover, it is fraud.



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