Any
rare crystal that is created through an artificial process. Synthetic
gems are usually made in "
bombs" which are either
stainless steel or
platinum. They are made to withstand high
temperatures (2000+ C) and
pressures over 100
atmospheres. The trick is controling the temperature and inclusions during the cooling process. Most synthetic gemstones display
phosphoresence after being exposed to
UV light, due to included
nitrogen (wich diffuses out during the thousands/millions of years during which natural gems are formed). Artificial gems also have
boundaries where it can be seen where the
seed crystal was and the new growth began.
The stuff gems are made of...
Swiped mercilessly from an email written by an old roommate (so no, this isn't copyrighted material)