From rich reds to deep blues, synthetic stones bring a burst of colour to the jewellery we wear. Created in a laboratory to resemble natural stones, they're a tribute to the beauty of nature, made by humans.
But how can you tell if a stone is synthetic? And how do they differ from natural and man-made stone types? We're here to answer all your questions on this vibrant stone variety.
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What’s the difference between synthetic, man-made and natural stones?
It's easy to get synthetic, man-made and natural stones mixed up -- they all sound pretty similar, after all. Here's a summary of each stone category:
How to identify synthetic stones
The process of making lab-grown stones is so good that it's easy to mistake them for their natural counterparts. But there are a few signs that can help identify a synthetic stone:
Clarity: Natural stones will likely have imperfections and lower clarity. As synthetic stones are made in a controlled environment, they tend to have a higher clarity.
Colour: Synthetic stones usually have a stronger, more consistent colour.
Lab-created opal
The natural opal is widely believed to be the luckiest and most magical stone, thanks to its iridescent rainbow of colour. Our lab-created opal stones are grown in a laboratory and have essentially the same chemical composition and physical properties as their natural counterpart -- including the same mesmerising iridescence.
Pandora's lab-created opals come in a range of shimmering colours, like blue, pink, white and red.
Synthetic corundum
The rich colours of rubies and sapphires have long fascinated us. Did you know these stones are both types of corundum? Created in laboratories using the flame fusion method, our synthetic corundum stones have the same properties and chemical structures as these famous natural stones. The blue or pink variety is called synthetic sapphire, while the red stone is called synthetic ruby.
As well as the classic red synthetic ruby colour, some Pandora pieces also feature a golden-red variety. We use synthetic sapphires in shades of light and darker pink.
Need tips on cleaning your other jewellery pieces? Our care and maintenance hub has all the info you need.
Add a pop of colour and sparkle to your looks with our synthetic stone jewellery. Looking for jewellery styling ideas? Check out our latest style guides for inspiration.