Reasons Why You Should Buy a Natural Emerald Instead of a Lab-Grown One
Today, both natural emeralds and lab-created emeralds are available on the market—but which is better? Although both options may seem similar at first glance, natural emeralds possess a set of qualities that make them truly incomparable.
In this article, you’ll discover why investing in a natural emerald is a wise decision, what sets them apart, which one is more expensive, and which is the better long-term investment. Let’s dive in!
Natural Emeralds vs. Lab-Grown Emeralds
Natural emeralds are formed organically over millions of years within the Earth. They are unique in their structure, color, and inclusions—natural fingerprints of their origin. Their rarity and limited availability increase their value. They are 100% authentic minerals with a geological history and are highly valued by collectors and jewelers.
Lab-grown emeralds, on the other hand, are created in artificial conditions in just a few weeks or months. They are uniform and lack the essence of nature. Since they can be mass-produced, they are less exclusive and hold no true rarity or historical value. Over time, they are generally less appreciated in terms of resale or emotional worth.
Authenticity and Rarity
The authenticity of a natural emerald goes far beyond its appearance. Each stone extracted from the Earth is one of a kind, formed through geological processes that took millions of years. This gives it a unique character, filled with natural history that no lab-grown emerald can replicate. Colombian natural emeralds are especially renowned for their rarity. Not every mine in the world produces emeralds of the same quality as those from Colombia. This scarcity makes them true treasures of the Earth.
Value and Appreciation
Natural emeralds retain—and can even increase—their value over time. Like diamonds, they are investments that can be passed down from generation to generation. Their scarcity and natural origin make them highly appreciated in both the luxury and collector markets. Lab-grown emeralds, being endlessly reproducible, generally do not hold high resale value. They are more often seen as decorative options than true investment pieces.
History and Prestige
From ancient civilizations to contemporary jewelry, natural emeralds have symbolized power, elegance, and status. Cleopatra, the Russian tsars, and European royalty wore authentic emeralds to reflect their grandeur. Owning a natural emerald means owning a piece of history. Lab-grown emeralds, while they may shine brightly and are gaining popularity today, simply don’t carry the same tradition.
Energy and Cultural Beliefs
Many cultures believe that natural emeralds hold energetic properties, promoting harmony, prosperity, and emotional protection. Being created by the Earth, they are thought to retain this natural energy, making them spiritually meaningful. In contrast, lab-grown emeralds lack this energy, as they are not formed by natural processes. For those who value symbolism and spirituality, this makes a significant difference.
Inclusions and Beauty
The inclusions within a natural emerald are unique marks that tell its story. Known as the emerald’s “gardens,” each has its own distinctive pattern. This contributes to the stone’s authenticity and one-of-a-kind beauty. Lab-grown emeralds tend to appear visually cleaner, which can seem artificial. In high-end jewelry, a stone with life and natural inclusions is often valued more than a synthetic-looking copy.
Emerald By Love: Your Destination for the Best Natural Colombian Emeralds
If you are looking for an emerald that truly tells a story, retains its value, and represents the best of nature and Colombia’s jewelry tradition, Emerald By Love is your best choice. We specialize in natural Colombian emeralds, carefully selected with precision, passion, and respect for their origin. Every stone we offer has been chosen for its authenticity, beauty, and unique energy. Visit Emerald By Love and fall in love with the true charm of a natural emerald.
Paula A. Bonilla
Social communicator and journalist from Sergio Arboleda University in Colombia. She is also a jeweler and is passionate about continuously learning about precious gems and high-end Colombian jewelry. She currently works for one of Bogotá’s most prestigious jewelry houses, Emerald by Love, which has over 40 years of experience and two physical locations in the heart of Colombia’s capital.
