Organic Natural, Simulated or what?

Natural organic gemstones are those that are created by biological processes. They may or may not have been enhanced in some way - by dyeing, irradiation or heating for example - but the important consideration is that they have not been manufactured in any way.

Synthetic organic gemstones are manufactured in the sense that the natural biological process has been instigated or promoted artificially but are chemically and optically identical to the natural form. A good example of this is cultured pearls where the 'seed' is deliberately inserted into the mollusc.

Simulated organic gemstones (known as simulants) look like the natural form but are chemically and/or optically different. The simulated gemstone can be organic or inorganic in origin

To complicate matters some natural gemstones can also be simulants, as can some synthetic gemstones.

So...

• Ivory from an elephant tusk is always ivory
• Tagua nuts are used to make beads and other items, but tagua nuts are also used as an ivory simulant
• Cultured pearls are real pearls, but are synthetic in the sense that the process was initiated by insertion of a 'seed'

If you are buying organic gemstones you be aware that trade in certain materials such as elephant ivory and some corals is banned.