Emerald is one of the few colored gemstones where "lab-created" doesn't mean a cheaper substitute, it means the same mineral, grown under controlled conditions instead of over millions of years underground. Here's what actually differs between a lab-created and a natural emerald, and what doesn't.
The short answer
Chemically and physically, lab-created and natural emeralds are the same stone: beryl colored by trace chromium and vanadium, at identical hardness. The real differences are how they form, how consistent their color and clarity tend to be, and price, where lab-created emeralds cost a fraction of natural stones of comparable size and quality.
Same mineral, different origin
Both natural and lab-created emeralds are beryl, the same mineral family as aquamarine and morganite, with chromium and vanadium responsible for emerald's green color. Natural emeralds form over millions of years under specific pressure and temperature conditions deep in the earth. Lab-created emeralds are grown using the hydrothermal method, which recreates those same mineral-rich, high-temperature conditions in a sealed pressurized chamber, over a period of months rather than geological time. We go through the full process in our guide to how lab gemstones are made.
Hardness and durability
Emerald sits at 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, whether natural or lab-created, since the mineral itself is identical. That's softer than diamond, sapphire, or moissanite, so emerald jewelry benefits from a slightly more protective setting and more careful cleaning regardless of its origin.
Inclusions: the "jardin" both share
Natural emeralds are known for internal inclusions nicknamed jardin (French for garden), a natural signature of how the stone formed. What surprises a lot of people: because the hydrothermal method so closely mimics natural growth conditions, well-made lab-created emeralds often show similar garden-like inclusions, rather than the flawless, glass-like clarity you'd expect from a lab-grown stone. It's one of the more convincing signs that lab-created emerald isn't a simulant, it's a genuinely slow-grown crystal.
Treatment
Most emeralds, natural or lab-created, undergo minor clarity enhancement (commonly oiling) as standard industry practice, since emerald's included, fractured structure responds well to it. This isn't unique to natural stones or a mark of lower quality, it's the norm across the category. Grading details for any specific stone are listed on its product page.
Price
This is where the practical difference is largest. Fine natural emeralds, especially in larger sizes with strong color and good clarity, are among the most expensive colored gemstones in the world, in some cases rivaling diamond prices per carat. Lab-created emeralds of comparable color and clarity typically cost a fraction of that, since they aren't subject to the same scarcity-driven pricing that governs natural emerald mining.
Sustainability and traceability
Lab-created emeralds require no mining, which means a fully traceable origin and a substantially lower environmental footprint than natural emerald extraction. Natural emerald mining has made real strides toward more responsible sourcing in recent years, but the sustainability gap between the two remains significant.
Certification
Independent gemological labs do grade and certify emeralds, but colored stone certification isn't as standardized industry-wide as diamond grading is under GIA or IGI. Whether a stone is natural or lab-created, and whether it's been treated, are the details worth confirming on the certificate or product listing, more than a single "grade" the way you'd compare diamonds.
Frequently asked questions
Is a lab-created emerald a "fake" emerald?
No. It's the same mineral, beryl, with the same chemistry, hardness, and often similar inclusions to natural emerald. It's grown rather than mined, not simulated.
Can you tell a lab-created emerald from a natural one by looking at it?
Not reliably with the naked eye. Because the hydrothermal method mimics natural formation so closely, distinguishing the two generally requires gemological testing, not visual inspection.
Are lab-created emeralds more durable than natural ones?
No, durability comes from the mineral itself, which is identical either way. Both sit at 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale and warrant similarly careful wear and cleaning.
Why are natural emeralds so much more expensive?
Scarcity. Fine natural emeralds, especially larger, cleaner stones, are genuinely rare, which drives pricing far above what the raw material and cutting would otherwise justify. Lab-created emeralds sidestep that scarcity entirely.
See them in person
Browse our full Lab-Created Emerald Jewelry collection, or build a custom piece around your own emerald through our custom design service.