Today's technologies are so advanced that virtually unlimited possibilities are revealed to a person. Nature is generous, but its reserves are not unlimited. The beauty and properties of natural stones are sometimes amazing, but not every connoisseur of beauty can afford their cost. Therefore, stones grown in laboratory conditions are in demand and widely popular.
Hydrothermal emerald is a prime example. Unfortunately, not everyone knows the characteristics and features of these stones, and there are plenty of prejudices based on misconceptions. Because of this, many consider such gems nothing more than a cheap fake, unworthy of attention. In fact, emeralds grown in laboratories deserve our attention.
Hydrothermal emerald: what is it and why is it needed?
It would seem, why do we need to grow stones in laboratories, if there are many deposits around the world? But there are several reasons for this phenomenon. The main one is associated with the features of natural stone - large emeralds are extremely rare in nature. Not surprisingly, prices for large gems soar to the skies. Even crystals of 5 carats can be more expensive than diamonds of the same size - of course, subject to good coloring and transparency. But in the laboratory you can grow almost any crystal.
Even small stones the size of a crystal of sugar fall into the skillful hands of jewelers. They are processed, ground or cut, adorned with jewelry, placed around the main stones. But very fine dust is unsuitable for business. She also gets to the laboratory, where it turns into hydrothermal emerald crystals. Often, jewelers also use low-quality natural stones. They get rid of foreign inclusions and impurities, crushed, after which they are quite suitable for growing beautiful and high-quality crystals. This is a wonderful example of the rational use of resources, respect for the wealth gifted by nature - after all, something that could be simply thrown away is in the business. But instead, even from the seemingly unnecessary dust, man learned to create beauty.
The history of the artificial cultivation of emeralds
Technology is relatively new, a little over a century old. Synthetic hydrothermal emerald dates back to 1888. Scientists Perre and Othel were not the first to try to grow this stone in laboratory conditions, but it was their successful experiment that laid the foundation for a new technology that is used today.
In 1911, scientists from Germany took up the matter, who managed to significantly advance. But the government imposed a ban on the publication of any research results, all developments were kept secret until 1960. It is worth noting that the atmosphere of strict secrecy enveloping the achievements of German mineralogists gave the world an occasion to think about the excellent results of their work. In fact, the appearance of hydrothermal stones produced in Germany, to put it mildly, left much to be desired. They were little like the original.
Later, many other scientists were engaged in research and practical experiments. Today we can safely say that the production technology of hydrothermal emeralds has been brought to perfection.
Process features
Probably, everyone who studied physics at school can easily guess by the name that the technology is based on processes related to water and temperature. It really is. The following happens.
The powder obtained from the cutting of natural stones, as well as from low quality emeralds, is immersed in an autoclave. In this vessel, they begin to influence it with the help of chemical components and high temperature. The powder dissolves in the strongest solvent - in water.
Then the vessel is placed in a special zone with a low temperature, where the crystallization process takes place. Emeralds settle on a seed substrate. Understanding what hydrothermal emerald means, we can talk about how much it can be similar to the original. After all, the process of natural formation of this gem takes place according to the same scheme, but takes millions of years. Laboratory stone is formed only about a month.
Wide possibilities: shape, size, quality
Scientists are able to grow hydrothermal emerald with almost any characteristics.
For example, emeralds with absolute transparency are almost never found in nature. Almost always they contain inclusions. The absence of inclusions in a crystal, especially in a large one, is one of the main signs of a fake. That is, it is not even a hydrothermal emerald, but a piece of glass, plastic or other synthetic material that is not related to emerald. But laboratory-grown crystals have small inclusions, like natural stones. This process is difficult to control, it happens by itself, because everything goes according to the same scheme as in natural deposits.
As for the form, the possibilities of scientists are quite wide. They can get almost any stone, which when cut will turn into a wonderful specimen. In addition, rather large stones can be grown in the laboratory, but it is worth mentioning that this rarely happens. The large emerald is alarming, suggestive of a fake. Therefore, even hydrothermal gems are usually small.
Properties of GT Emeralds
Laboratory-grown stones have the same chemical formula as natural ones. They have a high density and are not easy to process. Hydrothermal emerald visually almost does not differ from natural, but still has some features:
- GT emeralds always have high transparency;
- contain inclusions in the form of tubes;
- may have dispersed brownish blotches;
- sometimes include air bubbles;
- may be blue-green.
Of course, these signs are very arbitrary. In many ways, the properties of the stone depend on the characteristics of the technology and the feedstock.
Are there any similarities?
Hydrothermal emerald is quite similar to natural stone. So much so that sometimes even a professional jeweler can not easily determine the origin of the gem.
But with all the obvious similar qualities, there are still differences. This is something that cannot be explained and described with the help of formulas, as if we are talking about a force absorbed over millions of years of formation. Natural emerald plays with faces, shimmering in the sun, hydrothermal crystals can not compete with them in this.
Use in jewelry
This stone is often processed and enclosed in a decent frame, even the most reputable jewelry houses. The use of hydrothermal emerald is not at all bad manners, of course, subject to an adequate price and the absence of falsifications.
When creating jewelry, jewelers are guided by some rules. GT emeralds need rational additions. For example, earrings with hydrothermal emerald are decorated with cubic zirconias, rock crystal crystals , and other hydrothermal gems. Of metals, yellow gold and silver are most commonly used.
Prices
Another feature that distinguishes hydrothermal emerald is price. Of course, it is much lower than a stone of the same size, nurtured by nature.
The average price of a faceted stone is $ 30-50 per carat. In some cases, the cost may be higher - for example, stones with impeccable cleanliness and excellent cut.
Purchase Precautions
If you are looking for a ring with hydrothermal emerald, knowing in advance the features of the origin of the stone, then the risks of running into a fake are small. Remember that this stone is several times stronger than glass, it will not be able to scratch so easily. In addition, the GT emerald has a deep color, often with a shade of blue.
Another thing is if an unscrupulous jeweler gives artificially grown stone as natural. In this case, the risk of losing money is huge. Not every jeweler can easily distinguish a fake. Therefore, when buying jewelry with natural emeralds, you should not trust random sellers, too low prices, jewelry without documents. Feel free to ask the seller for quality certificates, examination results.
Focus not only on the appearance of the products, but also on your own feelings. Experts assure that if your stone, then you will definitely feel it right away.