GMO gemstones

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In today’s world, products being grown in a lab can come with negative connotations. We think of genetically modified foods, for-profit farms creating seeds and now even diamonds. As consumers, this goes against our idea of nature’s production. This wasn’t developed in nature, therefore, I don’t want it. The idea that nature’s beauty could be created like Dr. Frankenstein’s monster isn’t palatable. However, the desires of consumers is always evolving and due to the variety of growth methods and brands, lab-created stones represent an adequate means for their requests.

Throughout history, treated and created stones have existed. Historians, as early as King Tut, found treated color stones. In the 1800s, researchers began to discover the production of synthetic color stones. During the early 1900s, consumers were using lab grown material in jewelry to display the new cutting edge of technology. Color gemstone merchants have dealt with created stones for some time and discovered that embracing this new product was simple with full disclosure, comprehension of products available, and thorough testing to help identify them. Complete understanding of these products became essential.

Lab-created stones can inspire a feeling of the uninvited dinner guest to purists. For those focusing on only natural gemstones, that won’t change. While this mantra is justifiable, that won’t work for every consumer.

Lab-created stones can be a solution to a budget conscious consumer looking for stunning color, but without the funds to afford a natural stone. While this is the ultimate purpose of lab-created stones, their affordability will create nice profit margins for your store and please your client.

While these stones are created in a lab, they do share the same chemical composition of natural stones. An apt comparison is an ice maker vs an iceberg. One is created in a man made freezer while the other is created in nature. They both share the same composition of frozen H2O, but one naturally occurs and the other is created by man. Focusing on the fake aspect of lab-created stones could turn off a potential sale. Present the positives, like exceptionally consistent color, excellent clarity or having the same chemical composition, instead.

Don’t undervalue what lab-created stones can do for your store’s sales because they aren’t natural. Lab-created isn’t for everyone, but full disclosure and communication will help that certain customer. The consumer’s happiness in their purchase is most important.

Konrad Darling is the sales and marketing director for Darling Imports, a color gemstone wholesaler offering genuine and synthetics as well as lapidary services and stone identification. For more information contact Darling Imports at 800-282-8436 or www.darlingimports.com.