[Jewelry making - Article 01096] - Re: [Orchid] Synthetic & Simulant Gem Nomenclature

[Beth Rosengard]

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    Steve Green has it right but I think some additional examples might
    make it easier to understand: 

    If two rubies are chemically identical but the first was
    "nature-made" and the second was not, then the first is a natural
    ruby and the second is a synthetic ruby. Nevertheless, both ARE
    rubies, though only one is natural. 

    If a piece of red glass is used to imitate a ruby, then it is a
    simulant of ruby. It is chemically different. It is not a ruby. 

    If a natural red spinel is used to imitate a ruby, then it is a
    simulant of ruby. It is chemically different. It is not a ruby.
    BUT... it IS a natural spinel. 

    If a man-made red spinel is used to imitate a ruby, then it is a
    simulant of ruby. It is chemically different. It is not a ruby.
    BUT... since it is chemically identical to spinel, it is a synthetic
    spinel. 

    Note: Synonyms for "simulant" can include "imitation", "fake" and
    "faux". Synonyms for "synthetic" can include "man-made", "created"
    and "lab-grown". 

    Here's yet another way to look at these concepts. Whether or not a
    stone is a synthetic has nothing to do with context: If the stone is
    chemically identical to the real thing but was not formed in nature,
    then it is a synthetic. That's a matter of fact. 

    Whether or not a stone is a simulant IS a matter of context. A
    synthetic red spinel is merely a synthetic red spinel (fact) unless
    it is used to masquerade as a ruby (context): Then it's a synthetic
    acting as a simulant. It has become a simulant because of someone's
    intention that it appear to be ruby when it isn't (which we call
    deception or fraud when the intention isn't disclosed :-). 

    So, Greg... a synthetic color change sapphire *would* be considered
    an imitation (simulant) if, IF, it is being used to appear to be
    something it isn't, like an alexandrite. In that case, it is a
    synthetic acting as a simulant. 

    Richard, here's a couple for you :-). You said, "Synthetic
    alexandrite is relatively new, it is more expensive, and I have not
    seen much of that material." I don't doubt that this is true but just
    as a point of interest, synthetic alexandrite was sold by JO
    Crystals, the makers of Ramaura (synthetic) ruby; they didn't make
    the synthetic alexandrite, but they marketed it. 

    You also said, "Simulant is not in my dictionary, simulated is."
    You're right, but "simulant" has become an accepted gemological term
    even though "simulation" would probably be more proper. 

    And you said, "If I order synthetic alexandrite, and receive color
    change corundum, I have been sold something simulating alexandrite."
    But, technically :-), you didn't get what you ordered unless it was
    chemically identical to alexandrite. If what you received was
    corundum, then it cannot be, by definition, synthetic alexandrite.
    But I *do* take your point, which is that neither the supplier nor
    the customer cared much (or at all) about the distinction. 

Beth


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