What is the difference between a “synthetic” and “imitation” gem?
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, any gem called “synthetic” is supposed to have the same physical and chemical properties as the genuine. So a “synthetic sapphire” would have the same readings in various gem lab tests as a genuine sapphire and there are very subtle differences a gemologist has to look for to separate the real from the substitute. An “imitation stone” only imitates the real one; it basically looks like the genuine stone, but it’s hardness, chemical structure, weight, etc. could all be different. In general, a true “synthetic” will cost more than a simple “imitation”, so synthetic blue sapphire for instance will cost more than blue glass.
