How Long Have Synthetic Gemstones Been Around? Why Age Doesn’t Always Mean “Natural”

When shopping for antique or vintage jewelry, many people assume that if a piece is old, its gemstones must be natural. But that isn’t always true. Synthetic gemstones have been around far longer than most people realize, and they have been set in jewelry for well over a century.

The Birth of Synthetic Gems

The first commercially successful synthetic gemstone was synthetic ruby, created in the late 1800s using the Verneuil flame-fusion process (patented in 1902). By the early 1900s, synthetic sapphires, spinels, and other lab-grown gems followed. These stones looked nearly identical to their natural counterparts but could be produced quickly and affordably.

By the 1920s and 1930s, jewelers around the world were already incorporating synthetic rubies, sapphires, and spinels into rings, brooches, and other fine jewelry. Even some well-regarded jewelry houses occasionally used them, particularly during times when natural stones were scarce or prohibitively expensive.

Why Jewelers Used Them

Synthetic gems were popular for several reasons:

• Affordability: They offered the beauty of fine gems without the high cost.
• Durability: Like their natural versions, many synthetic corundum and spinel stones were hard and suitable for daily wear.
• Consistency: Jewelers could count on vibrant, uniform color without the variations or inclusions often found in natural stones.

The Misconception About “Old Equals Natural”

Because synthetic gems were already widely available in the early 20th century, an antique ring from 1920 or 1950 could very well contain lab-created stones. Age alone doesn’t guarantee that the gems are natural. Even pieces passed down through families as heirlooms may feature synthetic rubies, sapphires, emeralds, or spinels.

How to Know What You Have

To determine whether a gemstone is natural or synthetic, expert gemological testing is often required. A jeweler with proper equipment or a certified gemologist can usually tell the difference.

The Bottom Line

Synthetic gemstones have been part of jewelry history for well over a hundred years. Just because a ring, pendant, or brooch is “old” doesn’t mean its stones came from the earth. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing—synthetic gems have their own fascinating story and place in jewelry history.