Synthetic equivalents of natural stones in piercing jewelry

Earrings with synthetic stones or piercing jewelry with real, natural minerals? This is the choice every body piercing enthusiast faces when considering a new piece! Although jewelry with natural stones is sometimes considered higher quality, that doesn't mean that synthetic stones aren't equally as good!

Synthetic stones, also known as laboratory-made or artificial stones, are produced under controlled laboratory conditions using technologies that mimic the processes of creating natural stones. Although they are not mined from the earth, they may possess identical physical and chemical properties to their natural counterparts.

Why are synthetic stones used in piercing jewelry?

Synthetic stones offer many advantages in the context of piercing jewelry. First, earrings with synthetic stones are often more affordable than their natural counterparts, making them accessible to a wider range of consumers. Furthermore, the production of synthetic stones is carried out with laboratory precision. This control allows for stones of excellent appearance and high quality.

WHAT ARE SYNTHETIC STONES MADE OF?

Piercing jewelry with natural stones has a known origin and chemical composition. The minerals used in jewelry are non-toxic, durable, and safe to use. But is the same true for earrings with synthetic stones? Synthetic stones are made from various materials, depending on the type of stone being simulated. It's worth noting that the final product undergoes a series of tests. Therefore, earrings with synthetic stones do not contain harmful, hazardous, or allergenic substances.

THE MOST POPULAR SYNTHETIC EQUIVALENTS

• Diamond – often substituted with cubic zirconia , a type of crystal from the oxide group; specifically, zirconium oxide (ZrO2). Examples of brands producing synthetic diamonds include Moissanite and Pure Grown Diamonds.
• Opal – Opal stones can be replicated synthetically using opalites. They can be made from various substances, such as glass, resin, or other synthetic materials, that mimic the opalescent effect of natural opal.
• Pearl – Synthetic pearls are produced by inserting a nucleus into a mussel or oyster, which induces the pearl-forming process. The resulting pearls have a regular shape and a uniform surface.
• Ruby and Sapphire – These corundum stones are often replicated synthetically, and their synthetic counterparts can be difficult to distinguish from natural ones. Their main chemical component is aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), to which other substances are added to obtain the desired color.
• Amethyst is a variety of quartz, and its main chemical component is silicon dioxide (SiO₂). In laboratory conditions, such a stone can be "grown" from the exact same substances, provided the proper chemical and physical conditions are maintained.
• Quartz – similarly to amethyst, it is easily produced from silicon dioxide, when properly processed.

Synthetic stones offer an attractively priced alternative to piercing jewelry made with natural stones. Advances in synthetic stone production technology are making them increasingly popular and appreciated by jewelry enthusiasts, while also providing an ethical option for those concerned about sustainability.