Artificial emeralds were first produced in 1928 in Frankfurt by the firm "I.G. Paint industry AG". Then the production of artificial emeralds was established in France and Russia. Now it is safe to say about artificial emerald that this crystal is an analogue of natural emerald.
You can distinguish them from natural emeralds by some physical characteristics - in terms of density and light refraction. Synthetic emeralds luminesce differently than natural emeralds - with a brownish light, natural emeralds do not have this property.
The main method for obtaining high-quality artificial emeralds is the hydrothermal method. It is in this method that all the conditions are created under which an emerald is created in nature, that is, at a high pressure P = 1,5 kbar and a temperature of at least 600 ° C. Used as a raw material beryl.
Artificial emerald acquires a rich color with the help of impurities - chromium and vanadium. The whole growing process lasts 4 weeks. The price of an artificial emerald can be 5 or more times lower than a natural emerald. Artificial emeralds can be obtained in different weights and lengths.
Today, the equipment used in the cultivation of artificial emeralds has improved significantly, although the entire technological process has remained the same. As you know, natural emeralds have a large number of cracks and inclusions, and are also subject to mechanical stress. Artificial emeralds do not possess these features.
Almost always artificial emeralds are saturated dark green or bluish-green, at the same time they are perfectly transparent. The purity and transparency of artificial emeralds create the unique beauty of the stone's shimmer in sunlight. These qualities of artificial crystals are explained by the fact that they do not contain various kinds of impurities and inclusions.
The beauty of artificial crystals is as popular as natural ones, so artificial emeralds are often used in jewelry.
To imitate emerald, beryls or high-quality crystal are used. The optical properties of these materials are completely different from natural emeralds. However, it is not too bad to have a fake emerald jewelry if you know that it is an imitation and the price matches it. It is much worse if you buy an "emerald" that is not an emerald.
There are many natural green crystals that look like emeralds. It's impossible to say that tsavorite, chrome diopside, chrysolite or green tourmaline - stones that do not deserve admiration. No, not at all, but these are not emeralds, and the price for them is different ...
