Is Lab-Grown Gems “Fake”?

In Essence, It’s the Same Gem

Lab-grown gemstones are created by replicating the same natural conditions that form gems deep underground — heat and pressure — inside a controlled laboratory. Both sapphire and ruby are corundum, with the formula Al₂O₃ (aluminum oxide). Their color differences come from trace elements: chromium (Cr) gives ruby its red, while iron (Fe) and titanium (Ti) create sapphire’s blue. A lab-grown sapphire shares this exact chemical composition, hardness (9 on the Mohs scale), and brilliance as a mined one — the only difference is where it’s born, not what it is.

Not Tanzanite — Truly Gem

Many confuse lab-grown sapphire with tanzanite, but they are entirely different gemstones. Tanzanite is zoisite (Ca₂Al₃(SiO₄)₃(OH)), softer (6–6.5 hardness) and pleochroic — it shifts color under different angles of light. Sapphire, by contrast, is far stronger, optically stable, and enduring. At Elysia, we believe in calling beauty by its true name — every lab-grown sapphire we craft is real corundum, refined by science and made to shine with honesty.

Because lab-grown gems share the same crystal lattice as their natural counterparts, they have the same hardness, brilliance, and longevity. These stones aren’t weaker — their strength is identical at the atomic level. Sapphires and rubies, both forms of corundum, rank 9 on the Mohs scale, just below diamond, making them ideal for everyday wear. Emeralds, part of the beryl family, rate 7.5–8, equally stunning but slightly more delicate, whether mined or grown.

What truly defines a gem’s brilliance is its cut, proportion, and craftsmanship — not its origin. Even the purest crystal stays dull until shaped with precision. At Elysia, each stone is studied to find its ideal symmetry and light path, then polished to enhance color, refraction, and fire. The result is jewelry that doesn’t just sparkle under spotlights — it lives beautifully in everyday moments, reflecting the harmony of science, artistry and intention.

At Elysia, ethics come first. For decades, many of the world’s natural gemstones have come from resource-rich yet economically fragile regions — places like Madagascar, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Myanmar. These countries hold some of the earth’s rarest beauty, but that beauty often comes at a human cost. Mining in such regions can mean unsafe working conditions, child labor, and deep environmental damage, while profits flow outward to global markets instead of local communities.
This imbalance keeps resource nations dependent and underdeveloped — because when fair systems grow, exploitation can’t. By choosing lab-grown gemstones, we break away from that cycle. Our gems are created in transparent, controlled environments where no one is exploited, no land is destroyed, and beauty is born from integrity, not pressure.

At Elysia, ethics and sustainability go hand in hand. Traditional gemstone mining often leaves deep scars on the earth — land degradation, deforestation, and geological disruption are common outcomes of large-scale extraction. A GIA report on colored-stone mining notes that operations in “47 countries on six continents” still lack a sustainable supply chain, often causing environmental damage and poor living conditions for laborers (GIA, 2016). Mining can destabilize slopes, pollute groundwater, and erode ecosystems (UVM, 2017).By contrast, lab-grown gemstones avoid these irreversible impacts. No open-pit excavation, no soil collapse, no tailings runoff — only controlled growth in clean facilities. Studies show that synthetic production can reduce mineral waste, water use, and greenhouse-gas emissions compared to mining (ResearchGate, 2024). At Elysia, we see sustainability as a mindset — one that values transparency, precision, and respect for the planet in every stage of creation.

Every gemstone is certified by the International Gemological Institute (IGI) — one of the world’s most recognized and trusted gem laboratories .Each report verifies the gem’s material type, growth origin, color, and clarity, ensuring complete transparency and authenticity.It’s your assurance that every Elysia stone is genuine and responsibly made — as real as anything mined from the earth, but with far less environmental impact.