More than just beautiful stones, emeralds have long possessed great historical and spiritual significance. For ages, mankind has looked upon emeralds for beauty, healing, and their connection with Mercury (Budh) in Vedic astrology. With new technology creating lab-grown emeralds, many wonder, how can we actually determine the difference between a natural emerald stone and a synthetic emerald? More importantly, what do these differences mean with regard to value, not just in terms of beauty but also the spiritual power an emerald is supposed to hold?
Here in this article, we are going to discuss natural vs lab-grown emeralds and touch on the main differences, how to identify a real emerald, and its special connection to the planet Mercury according to Vedic astrology.
What is a Natural Emerald?
First of all, let's talk about the natural emerald stone. A real emerald stone is a natural gem that forms over millions of years deep inside the Earth. It is a type of beryl mineral that gets its rich green colour from tiny amounts of chromium and vanadium. No two natural emeralds are exactly alike. They each have their own character, marked by natural inclusions, which are tiny cracks or imperfections that form over time. These inclusions actually give real emerald stones their unique charm.
But what makes an emerald extra special is not just its green colour but also the deeper meaning it carries, especially in Vedic astrology. In Hindu mythology, Mercury (Budh), which is the planet of communication, intellect, and wisdom, is said to govern the emerald (Panna stone). People say that wearing a real emerald opens the way for clarity of mind and improves communication, studies, business, and even relationships. You might have heard of people wearing an emerald to boost the position of Mercury in their astrological chart; now, you know the kind of power these stones possess.
What is a Lab-Grown Emerald?
Now, regarding the lab-made Emerald, this stone is created in a controlled laboratory environment, with conditions that mimic the natural process that generally would take millions of years to occur. Using high-tech methods like hydrothermal or flux growth, synthetic Emeralds are made to look and feel almost identical to natural emeralds.
On the surface, the difference between a lab-grown emerald stone and a real, original emerald stone appears to be minimal. In fact, an artificial emerald looks better than a stone of natural origin. A synthetic emerald stone has a deeper and more consistent colour, better clarity, and is also cheaper. But here's the catch: while synthetic emeralds may look better than the original ones, they are not naturally linked to the energies of Mercury.
In Vedic astrology, Mercury is believed to be a planet influencing everything from your intellectual abilities to the way you connect and communicate with other people. A real emerald stone, formed over millions of years inside the Earth, is supposed to carry the natural vibrations of Mercury.
Lab-grown emeralds don't have that powerful connection. They lack the same astrological influence, being created without the deep natural formation process. This can make all the difference if you are one of those people who believe in the spiritual and astrological benefits associated with a gemstone.
Natural VS Lab-Grown Emeralds: Key Differences
Now, let's break down the key differences between natural and synthetic emeralds to understand what sets them apart.
1. Formation Process
The main difference, obviously, is in how they are formed. Natural emeralds form deep inside the Earth over millions of years, under immense heat and pressure. It is this long, natural process that makes each Emerald stone different from another and gives it a connection with the Earth's energies.
Lab-grown emeralds, on the other hand, are made in a matter of months or years in a laboratory where scientists reproduce the conditions needed for the growth of the stone. Though chemically identical to natural emeralds, they lack the centuries-long natural process that gives an original emerald stone its uniqueness and connection to the planet Mercury.
2. Astrological Powers
In Vedic astrology, an emerald derives its power from its connection to Mercury (Budh Grah). If you are wearing a genuine emerald, it is believed to bring Mercury's qualities, such as intellect, communication skills, and wisdom, into your life. If your Mercury is weak or in an unfavourable position in your astrological chart, it is said that wearing a natural panna stone (the Vedic term for emerald) strengthens that planet's influence.
However, synthetic emeralds don't create that effect. Because they are prepared in the lab, they don't hold the natural energies of Mercury. So, while a synthetic emerald may look the same, it will not be infused with the same spiritual weight or astrological benefits that this stone holds. To many, this is the most important distinction between a real and a fake emerald.
3. Cost and Value
Another key difference has to do with the cost. Because natural emeralds are so rare and take millions and millions of years to form, they are more expensive than lab-grown emeralds. Synthetic emeralds can be produced in short order, making them far more affordable for the person who desires the look of an emerald without the greater price.
If you are the kind of person to whom the astrological powers of a real emerald stone mean something, perhaps the extra money is well spent.
4. Inclusions
The first thing you may or may not notice in a natural emerald stone is the inclusions, also referred to as "jardin", a French word meaning garden. These tiny natural imperfections have been a sign for many centuries that the emerald is real and have thus been used by gemologists to identify genuine emeralds.
Synthetic emeralds, on the other hand, tend to be more faultless because they are made in a controlled environment. If an emerald doesn't have visible inclusions, that would most definitely raise a red flag that it might be a synthetic emerald, even though it appears just like an original emerald stone.
How to Identify an Original Emerald Stone
If you are wondering how to tell if the emerald stone is truly original, here's how to do it:
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Look for Inclusions:
The first sign of an authentic emerald is its inclusions, those little blackish spots and threads inside the stone. These minute imperfections are natural and give each stone a unique character. If the stone is flawless, it may not be a natural emerald.
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Colour:
Natural emeralds tend to have a somewhat more complex, deeper green colour, deriving from all the minerals they come into contact with during their growth. Lab-grown emeralds, though green, might lack that depth of colour.
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Refractive index test:
If you are not sure, a gemologist will test the refractive index. Natural emeralds and lab-created emeralds have different refractive indexes that can be used by professionals to distinguish them from each other.
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Ask a Professional:
A proper identification of the type of emerald stone should be clearly explained by a gemologist, who will distinguish it as an original emerald stone or a synthetic emerald.
Conclusion: Which Emerald Should You Choose?
The choice between a natural panna stone and an artificial emerald depends on your personal values and beliefs. However, if you are one of those people who value the beauty of the stone and spiritual significance, a real emerald stone can be the right choice. This stone has a connection with Mercury (Budh) according to Vedic astrology, which is known to grant wisdom, communication skills, and mental clarity.
On the other hand, if you are simply looking for a beautiful green gemstone to enhance your looks and don't attach any special importance to its spiritual influence, a lab-grown emerald would be much more affordable. Ultimately, be it a natural emerald or a synthetic emerald, both have their own merits. But then again, for those believing in the astrological power of gemstones, nothing beats an original emerald stone, born naturally from deep inside the Earth, influenced by the mighty planet Mercury.
FAQs
1. Are natural emeralds better than lab-grown emeralds?
Yes, natural emeralds are considered better than lab-grown emeralds if one is after the real energy and astrological benefits corresponding to the planet Mercury. Because natural emeralds take millions of years to form, they have natural inclusions and cosmic energy within, whereas lab-grown emeralds are produced artificially and don't share that connection, so they are worn just for their appearance and not for any benefits.
2. Why are lab emeralds so cheap?
Lab-created emeralds are less expensive since they are grown in a controlled laboratory by using technology that reproduces the natural Earth's conditions. This is a faster and more effective process compared to the slow, natural formation of real emeralds, thus being cheaper. Natural emeralds are costlier because they are rarely found, and the mining and procuring process is far more complicated and costly.
3. Do lab-grown emeralds fade over time?
No, lab-grown emeralds do not fade with time. Since they are chemically the same as natural emeralds, their colour and appearance may well be very stable. However, they lack the unique depth and vibrancy that a natural emerald gains from millions of years of natural growth.
4. How to tell if an emerald is natural or synthetic?
To identify whether the emerald is natural or synthetic, look for inclusions, which are minute imperfections inside the stone. In natural emeralds, you usually see inclusions inside, which give them a lot of character; this is called "jardin." Lab-grown emeralds tend to be flawless and have no inclusions. You should always consult with a professional gemologist for certification to be on the safer side.
5. Can a jeweller tell the difference between lab-grown and natural emeralds?
Yes, a skilled jeweller or gemologist is usually capable of distinguishing a lab-grown emerald from a natural one using tools such as magnification, UV light, and spectroscopy. They can also provide certification that confirms the stone's authenticity.
6. What is the downside of lab-grown emeralds?
The drawbacks of a lab-created emerald are the lack of the ancient, cosmic energy of natural emeralds. According to Vedic astrology, a genuine emerald is said to be associated with the planet Mercury, offering spiritual and astrological benefits that synthetic emeralds do not.
7. Are lab-grown emeralds stronger than natural emeralds?
Overall, lab-created emeralds are just as hard or resilient as natural emeralds. Both natural and cultured emeralds have a Mohs hardness rating between 7.5 and 8. Still, natural emeralds may have more internal fractures or inclusions that could make them a bit more prone to damage if one is not extremely careful.
