Gemstone names: mined, laboratory-created, and imitation
What a plain stone name means, and the words that should come before it.
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A plain name means mined
Section 23.25(a) says the unqualified words "ruby", "sapphire", "emerald", "topaz", or the name of any other precious or semi-precious stone should describe only a mined stone of that type.
Laboratory-created stones
Section 23.25(b) says a laboratory-grown or laboratory-created stone should carry "laboratory-grown", "laboratory-created", "[manufacturer name]-created", or a phrase of like meaning immediately before the stone name, with equal conspicuousness, for example a laboratory-created ruby. The same goes for the words "stone", "birthstone", "gem", and "gemstone".
Same properties
Section 23.25(c) says those terms should be used only for a product with essentially the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as the stone named.
Imitation and simulated
An imitation or simulated stone should carry "imitation" or "simulated" immediately before the name.
Varietal names
Section 23.26 says the wrong varietal name should not be used, with two examples: "yellow emerald" for golden beryl or heliodor, and "green amethyst" for prasiolite.
Precious and semi-precious
Section 23.27 says words such as "precious" and "semi-precious" should not describe any product that is manufactured or produced artificially.
Sources: eCFR, 16 CFR Part 23, Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries; FTC, In the Loupe: Advertising Diamond, Gemstones and Pearls.
FAQ
General information only. We are not a jeweler, appraiser, or gemological lab, and we do not grade, appraise, or verify any stone or metal. Before you buy, read the seller's full description, including whether a diamond is mined or laboratory-grown, any treatment, the metal's karat or fineness, and the weight, and check any grading report with the lab that issued it.
Next: gemstone treatments
The treatments the FTC lists.
