Natural emeralds are favored for their distinctive green color and unique charm, along with their magical legends. However, many people find it difficult to distinguish between natural and cultured emeralds, as there are many cultured emeralds on the market that are sold as genuine. Let’s explore the differences between cultured and natural emeralds.
Color: The color of cultured emeralds is intense and uniform green, while natural emeralds have a special and diverse color, appearing as a mixture of green with hints of yellow and blue.
Inclusions: The impurities in cultured and natural emeralds are also different. Cultured emeralds, being artificially synthesized, are clean inside with a small number of bubbles. Natural emeralds, on the other hand, often contain small imperfections and cracks, with cotton-like inclusions. The most representative inclusion in natural emeralds is the three-phase inclusion (gas-liquid-solid), which is a typical characteristic of Colombian mines.
Refractive Index: The refractive index of cultured and natural emeralds is also different. Cultured emeralds have a refractive index less than 1.57, reflecting a dim light in the sun, while natural emeralds generally have a refractive index between 1.57 and 1.59, reflecting a dazzling light. Natural emeralds are valued for their lush, pleasing, soft, and pure green color, and their rarity in nature.
Cultured emeralds are made in laboratories by artificially simulating the growth environment of natural emeralds. Due to the similar simulated growth environment, their physical and chemical properties are essentially the same. Accurately distinguishing between natural and cultured emeralds is a challenging task. Besides observing with the naked eye under a magnifying glass, some instruments should also be used for a more accurate distinction.
