Synthetic Gemstone Production in the United States

Laboratory-created gemstone production is rising in the United States and is approximately three times the dollar value of natural stone production at $30.7 million in 2004. Almost all of this production is by five companies located in North Carolina, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan and Arizona. Laboratory-created gemstones have the same chemical, optical, and physical properties of a natural stone but have been manufactured by humans. Law requires that these stones be clearly marked so that they are not confused by the consumer with natural stones. The main laboratory-created stones produced in the United States during 2004 were alexandrite, diamond, emerald, moissanite, ruby, sapphire and turquoise.

Another category of synthetic gemstones is simulant gemstones. Simulants look like natural gemstone material but have different chemical, optical and physical properties. They are typically made from glass, plastic or other materials. The value of simulant gemstones produced in the United States exceeds $100 million per year.

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	US Synthetic Gemstones	US Gemstone Production / Imports / Exports