Hydrothermal emerald - what is it, areas of application

The idea that hydrothermal emeralds are some kind of hyped fake made from rhinestones or glass is completely wrong. Modern technologies have made nanocrystals almost perfect.

Hydrothermal stones, created by human hands, act as analogues of real precious gems. Scientists grow stones in special laboratories that do not differ in external characteristics from natural ones.

The advantages of nano-minerals are their similarity to natural stones and their affordable price.

In addition, it is possible to create hydrothermal rocks of any size.

Hydrothermal emerald: what does it mean?

Hydrothermal emerald
Hydrothermal emerald is an artificial mineral grown in laboratory conditions using hydrothermal synthesis. This is not a cheap imitation made of glass, but the closest possible copy of natural stone in terms of properties and beauty.

During the creation of hydrothermal emerald, all the components that are involved in the formation of the gem in natural conditions are used. The growth process of artificial stone takes place under the strict supervision of specialists.

Benefits of nano-emeralds

Despite all the value and significance of natural nuggets, they are very difficult to mine; sometimes, before a group of researchers gets what they need, entire piles of rocks have to be processed. With hydrothermal minerals everything is much simpler. Also, in addition to the fact that it is much easier to obtain such a stone, it has the following advantages:

1. An artificially grown gem is not afraid of exposure to ultraviolet radiation, but a real stone loses its natural color under its influence.
2. Synthetic stone is more resistant to mechanical stress.
3. Affordable price. A natural mineral, even of the lowest quality and with visible defects, will cost much more than the ideal form of a rich green nanocrystal.

It is worth noting that in Germany, artificially created emeralds are called “cultured”, which is similar to cultured pearls, the origin of which also involves humans.

Origin story

Ring with hydrothermal emerald
Hydrothermal emerald is the second precious mineral obtained artificially after ruby. Its first experimental samples were created at the end of the 19th century. Over the course of 50 years, the technology has been constantly improved, trying to reproduce as much as possible the beauty and quality characteristics of natural emerald. As a result, the first gem-quality hydrothermal emerald, called igmerald, was grown in 1930.

From the second half of the twentieth century to the present day, production of artificial emeralds has been opened in many countries around the world. The largest number of them is concentrated in Russia, Thailand, Germany and Italy.

History of artificial cultivation of emeralds

The first successfully synthesized sample of nano emerald was the result of the work of scientists Perret and Hautfel in 1988. In 1911, these developments began to be actively improved in Germany and were kept classified until 1960.

The first samples of stones grown under artificial conditions were quite different from their natural counterpart and inferior to it in external qualities.

In Russia, researchers led by Alexander Lebedev were engaged in improving this technology. Later the research was continued by Ilyin Alexey. Fursenko D. and Thomas V succeeded in obtaining the first beautiful Colombian gemstone.

What is the difference between emerald and hydrothermal emerald?

Since the process of origin of artificial and natural stones is almost identical, the differences between them are extremely difficult to find even for experienced jewelers. At the same time, minor distinctive features between gems can be noticed if you pay attention to the following characteristics:

Also, one of the main differences between natural and artificially created stones is their cost. The price of hydrothermal emerald is more affordable even compared to the lowest grade natural stones.

How to recognize a synthetic emerald

Finding the differences between a hydrothermal emerald and a natural one is not always possible even for experienced jewelry craftsmen. In terms of their physical and chemical characteristics, artificially grown and natural minerals are very similar, since the process of their origin is still identical.

Nano emeralds have the following distinctive features:

• Tubular inclusions can be seen in them;
• The gem contains brownish impurities.

Real nuggets are rarely of ideal shape, without cracks and all kinds of inclusions, and absolutely transparent. Artificial gems are distinguished by a rich, deep shade of green, they are absolutely transparent, and there are air bubbles in their structure.

We should also not forget that today scammers know how to counterfeit not only real minerals, but also artificially grown ones. For example, they often try to pass off ordinary glass as nanocrystals, skillfully disguised as a synthetic emerald. It is quite easy to recognize a fake, since, for example, glass passed off as a hydrothermal emerald can be easily damaged by a sharp object, while a stone of any origin is much stronger.

Growing technology

Hydrothermal emerald
Hydrothermal emerald is a complete synthetic analogue of a natural mineral with the same exact physical and chemical properties. The process of growing it takes one or more months, depending on the parameters and dimensions of the stone. Under natural conditions, this may take from a thousand to a million years.

Gems are created in laboratory conditions using the following technology:

1. A real emerald chip obtained during the cutting process is placed in an autoclave consisting of two parts. There, in the lower part, chemical elements that are part of the natural gem are added in a certain proportion - silica, chromium, beryllium and aluminum oxides.
2. A sealed vessel with components is exposed to high temperatures (up to 600°C) and pressure (up to 1500 atm), resulting in a chemical reaction between them.
3. Saturated vapors generated under the influence of heat treatment rise to the upper part of the autoclave, settle on the grid plate and crystallize during the cooling process.

This is how stones grow. In 30 days you can grow several crystals with a total weight of up to 100-150 g.

Research and manufacturing process: what it was and what it is today

The idea of ​​synthesizing a luxurious and expensive emerald came to man a long time ago. From that very moment, scientists and researchers began working on the production of the mineral, experimenting and testing ad infinitum. The result was tiny emerald crystals, virtually indistinguishable from the original.

The researchers achieved the best results once beryllium, alumina and silica were placed under a dimolybdate coating in a platinum crucible. The structure in the autoclave was exposed to high temperatures for 24 hours.

Changes were recorded at different stages of cultivation and under the influence of temperature. Their analysis ultimately made it possible to obtain crystals of the correct mass and length with a color as close as possible to natural.

Nowadays, the method of synthesizing artificial emeralds has remained the same. The changes affected only the equipment. Modern automatic machines allow you to control the creation of hydrothermal stones with specified parameters. Minerals grown in new conditions are resistant to UV rays and last for decades without changing color or characteristics.

Unlike genuine green stones, synthetic stones can withstand temperatures up to 650 °C and are not afraid of contact with aggressive substances. In terms of hardness, hydrothermal minerals are not inferior to natural stones; moreover, they demonstrate an improved ability to withstand mechanical stress and do not crack over time.

Types of hydrothermal emeralds

A synthetic analogue of emerald may have differences in chemical composition and characteristics. Depending on this, its most common types are distinguished.

Emerald "Biron"

Emerald “Biron”
Since gems are grown in aggressive chloride substances, containers made of gold are used for these purposes. Containers made of precious metal make it possible to obtain crystals of a high level of purity, and the admixture of chromium and vanadium gives a bright green color, close to the color of naturally occurring Colombian emeralds. In small pebbles, inclusions in the form of threads or stripes are practically invisible. On large samples you can notice a slight roughness.

Emerald "Chinese"

To produce this type of artificial stone, a technological process similar to the Biron emerald is used. The fundamental difference is the fact that beryl contains only an admixture of chromium, due to which the grown crystal appears red through filters. Today this type of emerald is not produced.

Emerald "Malossi"

A stone with a high degree of transparency, grown by Tairus. Due to the low concentration of strands, even large crystals do not lose their transparency and purity of color after cutting. The growth of emeralds of this type is carried out in platinum containers to prevent autoclaved steel components from entering their structure.

"Colombian color emerald"

A complete copy of Colombian emeralds, the creation of which was based on the color of Biron crystals and the transparency of Malossi. This type of hydrothermal emerald was developed at the beginning of the 21st century and today is the most sought after on the stone market.

"Russian emerald"

Emerald, close to natural stones, was first grown in Novosibirsk. Over time, crystals began to be grown using this technology at Tairus enterprises.

Properties of nanoemeralds

Hydrothermal emerald - what is it and what does it represent chemically? The same as a stone created by nature: the chemical formulas of both representatives are absolutely identical. Besides:

• the artificial analogue is highly durable, so only highly qualified jewelers should process it;
• it is more transparent than natural, but always has inclusions - mainly tubular;
• impurities may be in the form of air bubbles or have a brownish tint;
• the brightest examples can be the distinctive blue-green color that many jewelry lovers enjoy.

All this means that a synthetic emerald is well worth wearing. The main thing is the honesty of the sellers and the appropriate price. And if you don’t forget that the crystal lattice in these stones is ideal, you can be proud of such decoration. It is durable, resistant to environmental influences and more unpretentious than expensive natural emerald.

Probably, many lovers of this stone who understand physics and chemistry will have a desire to grow emerald at home, but this requires skills, experience and the presence of certain chemicals. In addition, it will not be easy to purchase equipment of appropriate quality. Therefore, it is better to be content with those products that are manufactured in large quantities by professionals. After all, it is thanks to modern technologies that emerald jewelry becomes available to almost everyone.

Read also about hydrothermal sapphires →

Price of products

Ring with hydrothermal emerald
The cost of hydrothermal emerald is affordable for everyone. So, a fairly large crystal costs between 5-10 dollars.

The price of jewelry with artificial stone is determined taking into account two main factors – the metal of the frame and the quality of the jeweler’s work. This gem is often framed in gold or platinum, and then its cost can reach several hundred dollars.

The cheapest are earrings, bracelets, rings and pendants made of jewelry alloy or silver.

Approximate cost of jewelry with synthetic emeralds

Gems obtained by hydrothermal methods are not considered counterfeits; they can only be considered fraud if the seller sells them at the price of real minerals. As a rule, the tag of a piece of jewelry must indicate the origin of its stone insert, and there is also a special certificate with all the characteristics of the product, which you can ask to see.

Synthetic minerals look quite attractive when mounted in precious metals; their approximate cost starts from five dollars for a fairly large specimen. The full price of the jewelry will depend on the metal frame in which the nano emerald is inserted. The most inexpensive jewelry with artificial minerals can be purchased from silver. Rings, brooches, earrings, pendants, bracelets made of gold with nano emeralds will cost more.

See you soon, dear readers! Don't forget to subscribe to our updates and tell your friends about interesting articles using social networks.

Team LyubiKamni

The healing properties and magic of synthetic gems

Faceted hydrothermal emerald
Hydrothermal emerald, just like a natural gem, is endowed with beneficial properties.

For medicinal purposes, it can be used to normalize blood pressure and treat cardiovascular diseases. Its rich green color helps with disorders of the nervous system: it calms, normalizes sleep, eliminates anxiety and depressive mood. It is also useful to wear jewelry with hydrothermal stones for people suffering from:

• asthma;
• diseases of the endocrine system;
• pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract;
• urolithiasis.

In magic, the properties of a green gem are used to eliminate slander and evil eyes. It is rightly called the talisman of impeccability and success. In the house where the emerald is located, harmony and comfort reign. It cleanses not only the room, but also the aura of its owner from negativity and lies. With the help of hydrothermal emerald, he can get rid of negative character traits such as hypocrisy, duplicity and betrayal.

Assembled or composite stones

When manufacturers glue or fuse two or more separate pieces of a mineral together and give them the appearance of a faceted gemstone, the result is called an assembled or composite stone. Individual parts may be natural or artificial.

Flat surfaces are glued parallel to the large facet of the gem to give uniform, beautiful color to the clear emerald. Doublets, which is what stones made from two connected segments are called, are very common. In this case, the layers of stone are held together with colorless glue.

The triplet consists of three segments or two segments separated by a layer of colored cement. This is also a very common way to enhance the appearance of emerald crystals.

Doublets and triplets are widely used to imitate natural stones. Even if the stone is assembled from emerald plates, the crystal is still a creation of human hands, not nature.

To distinguish such an artificial emerald from a real one, as always, you need a magnifying glass. If you carefully examine the profile of the crystal, you can see the layers of its constituent parts. That is, of course, if they are not completely covered by the frame of the stone.

Compatibility with Zodiac signs

Pendant with hydrothermal emerald
Hydrothermal emerald, like a stone of natural origin, is able to influence its owner depending on the zodiac. Most of all he favors:

• For Libra and Virgo – helps to improve the emotional background and find peace of mind.
• For Aries and Capricorns - it will bring success in business and career growth.

The artificially grown stone will not ignore other signs of the Zodiac:

• Taurus - the mineral will give you good health and positive energy.
• Gemini - will protect against damage, envy and the “evil” eye.
• Cancer - will help restore peace of mind, gain self-confidence, and also get rid of panic.
• Leos - with the help of hydrothermal stone, they will gain the strength they need for new achievements and achieving goals.
• Sagittarius - a green gem will help you heal emotional wounds, calm down and take a balanced approach to solving problems.
• Aquarius and Pisces - can use the power of the stone to achieve success in business.

Neutral hydrothermal emerald belongs to Scorpios. For representatives of this zodiac sign, the stone is absolutely useless, so they can wear it exclusively as jewelry.

External signs of an artificial gem: are there any differences?

The chemical composition and physical properties of the original and the imitation are identical in almost all respects. It is almost impossible to visually distinguish a synthesized emerald from a natural one. Only an experienced jeweler can handle this task and only carry out analysis in a laboratory if possible.

Hydrothermal gems revolutionized the jewelry world with their appearance and here’s why. Now everyone can afford to buy a magnificent stone that is no different from a real stone at an affordable price.

Artificially grown minerals have several features.

1. Firstly, they differ in the presence of tubular inclusions.
2. Secondly, the composition includes brown iron impurities.

It is impossible to identify a synthetic mineral by eye. They have an identical shape to the original, with minor defects indicating naturalness, including unevenness and barely noticeable cracks. Almost all synthesized gems are green with a hint of blue or dark. They are impeccably transparent and often have visible air bubbles inside them.

What parameters affect the cost of the original?

Factors influencing the pricing of a natural mineral are, first of all, the color, weight and size of the stone.

• The cost is influenced by the level of transparency, the quality of the cut and the degree of refinement of the gem.
• An important point is the mineral deposit.
• The best natural stones are mined in Colombia. Next on the value scale are gems from Russia and Africa, followed by Brazil and Asia.
• On the international market, prices are quoted exclusively in dollars.
• One carat is equal to approximately 0.2 grams.
• Large crystals sell for more.

other methods

It is good if the stone can be examined from all sides. But what if it is already enclosed in the decoration?

• Place the stone in a place that is well lit (you can point a lamp at it), move away a couple of meters and look at the stone from different angles. A real emerald will not have shimmer or shimmer - it will resemble green velvet.
• You can also detect a fake by comparing the package of documents provided and the price of the finished product. If the passport contains dubious words (for example, “evening” or “Pakistani” emerald), then with a 90% probability it is not an original stone.
• Another sign of a fake stone is the presence of a blue or blue tint, but only if the description in the documents does not mention that the gem comes from Colombia.