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Synthetic rubies are identical to natural. Why would anyone pay for natural?

Synthetic rubies are literally identical to natural. Chemically, in terms of color, structurally.... So identical that regulations followed by ethical manufactures are required to have a flurosent comepond added to it so that they can be told apart from the real.

Considering that the best natural rubies come from Cambodia and are mined at great cost to life and limb, how can the world market justify the cost of natural stones?

The justification for diamonds is that the synthetics aren't good enough, yet. But the same can't be said of red sapphires/rubies.

I don't understand...

2 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    7 years ago

    The issue isn't how they look, it's the rarity value and also displaying your wealth. People with the money to buy natural are often going to be snobs about doing so. To them, something synthetic is going to seem cheap and even tacky.

    For the same reason, such people prefer natural pearls to cultured. They might be able to buy a handbag that looks identical to an Hermes Birkin bag, but they'll want the real thing.

    That's simply how some very rich people are.

  • Anonymous
    7 years ago

    Gemstones have industrial value in cutting tools and lasers for example. Beyond that their value is completely dependant on the vanity and avariciousness of those who covet them. If a gemologist can't tell the difference, it is stupid to pay more for "natural".

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