What is a Cultured Sapphire?
Cultured gemstones are in every way the exact same gemstones as the naturally mined stones, but do not have blood and oppression associated with them. As of 2010, a new technology has been developed that produces gemstones that are 100% the same as mined gemstones, except the microscopic inclusions are different.
These cultured gemstones have the exact same mineral and chemical composition, color, and clarity of mined stones. They even have inclusions that naturally occur in them.
These new-age cultured gemstones can only be distinguished from mined gemstones by sending them to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the International Gemological institute (IGI) where they have very specialized, expensive instruments that can detect differences in the microscopic inclusions.
Why is this so important?
Imagine being able to purchase a 5 carat Sapphire that is eye-clean, has perfect color and cut for $1000, rather than $20,000? Imagine that gemstone, set in 14K gold, surrounded by Estate diamonds on your pendant – and only you and I know it is a cultured gemstone – EVEN YOUR JEWELER CANNOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE.
We at M. Baker & Co., feel so strongly about taking this stance that we are donating a portion of our proceeds from every piece of cultured gemstone jewelry you buy to help women and children have more opportunities for an education and improved health care.