Natural vs Synthetic Crystals/Stones?

[missgraceless]

I did a quick search but couldn't find anything. Also not sure if this is in the right section. Both of which are quite common when I start a new thread. :whis:

So I'm looking into making mala/prayer/meditation beads with certain stones/crystals, but even the lower quality gemstones can be quite expensive. I know that natural stones can be heated/stabilized/dyed/whatever, but the truly synthetic, lab created stones are much cheaper.

This link that I found somewhere else on here gives pretty good descriptions of uses. Example: "sapphire is a stone of intuition and meditation." But do those properties only apply to natural sapphires, even if they've been treated, or are lab-grown pieces included?

Does this even make a lick of sense to anyone?

[Valeria Crowe]

I did a quick search but couldn't find anything. Also not sure if this is in the right section. Both of which are quite common when I start a new thread. :whis:

So I'm looking into making mala/prayer/meditation beads with certain stones/crystals, but even the lower quality gemstones can be quite expensive. I know that natural stones can be heated/stabilized/dyed/whatever, but the truly synthetic, lab created stones are much cheaper.

This link that I found somewhere else on here gives pretty good descriptions of uses. Example: "sapphire is a stone of intuition and meditation." But do those properties only apply to natural sapphires, even if they've been treated, or are lab-grown pieces included?

Does this even make a lick of sense to anyone?

 
Only synthetic gems I've ever used were a set of magnetized hematite composite, and they seem to work well enough.

No clue about lab-made synthetics, the real deal...

Give it a whirl, tell us how it goes?

[Aster Breo]

This link that I found somewhere else on here gives pretty good descriptions of uses. Example: "sapphire is a stone of intuition and meditation." But do those properties only apply to natural sapphires, even if they've been treated, or are lab-grown pieces included?

Does this even make a lick of sense to anyone?

If you didn't already do this, it would probably be a good idea for you to search the forum for broader topics related to stones.  (Try searching for "stones", "crystals", and "rocks", rather than limiting to *synthetic* stones.)

As you'll see when you read some of those threads, many of us here feel that the lists of properties you find all over the web and in books are only of limited use.  In my experience, different people react differently to different stones and vice versa.  So what you read in a list might or might not actually work for YOU.  

For example, many people recommend hematite for grounding. But every piece of hematite I've tried to use like that has shattered in my hand.

Another factor is that even different specimens of the same kind of stone can "feel" different. Plus, I personally think whether and how the stone is cut also effects it significantly.

As for whether properties apply to synthetic and lab created stones, that's also something that (IMO) varies by the individual person and specimen.

Just to be clear, synthetic stones are chemically different from the natural version (a synthetic sapphire could be glass, for example), while lab grown stones are chemically the same.  Lab grown stones usually have far fewer flaws, too.  So, whether synthetic and/or lab grown stones are just as good as natural (or even better n in some cases) really depends on how you want to use them and on what you think is going on to create the metaphysical properties.

Treated stones are natural stones that have undergone some kind of treatment to enhance them. The kinds of treatments vary widely, and depend on the type of stone and the purpose of the treatment. And some treatments are fully accepted by gemologists, while others are considered unnecessary or even unethical.

For example, virtually all natural emerald on the market is treated to stabilize it, as is most natural turquoise. That's accepted and expected practice.  On the other end of the spectrum, there's howlite that has been dyed blue and sold as turquoise. Not ethical.  

(A side note about dyeing: A lot of dyed stones will lose their color over time, especially if exposed to sunlight. And some dyes will actually wash off if it gets wet.)

Vendors are required to disclose treatments, including dyeing, but many don't. In some cases, like in many Etsy shops, they're individuals who don't really know much about stones and aren't aware of the rules.  But large companies are also often guilty of failing to disclose. So, if you care about that sort of thing, it's important to buy from reputable vendors.

Then there are the outright scams.  A great example is "azeztulite".  Several years ago, Heaven and Earth, a metaphysical jewelry company, came out with a "newly discovered" and "super rare" form of quartz that had been "given" to the people of earth by some higher beings. (I don't remember all the details, but you can Google it, if you're interested.)  Of course, they claimed the azeztulite had amazing powers, and they charged a fortune for it.  And people actually bought it!  Turned out that azeztulite was nothing more than garden variety white quartz, which is one of the most plentiful kinds of rocks on the planet. *eyeroll*  Last time I checked, they were still marketing it as azeztulite.

Anyway.

Because metaphysical properties are so variable, I recommend experimenting to see what works for you.  The same would apply to synthetic, treated, and/or lab created -- try them and compare. You might find the non-natural pieces do what you want, or you might find they don't. There are too many factors involved to make a blanket statement.

(You don't have to sink a lot of money into stones, either.  Rocks you find outside can be just as effective -- and a whole lot cheaper and more environmentally friendly! -- than anything you buy.)

If there's a particular kind of rock you really want to try, look for it in actual rock shops, rather than metaphysical or new age shops.  Rock shop prices are usually significantly less. (And rock shop owners/staff are usually very helpful -- although not necessarily about the metaphysical aspects.) You can also look for lower quality specimens, since you probably don't need gem quality.

I think it also helps to learn about the physical properties of stones, too, because, in my experience, the metaphysical properties are often closely connected to the physical properties. For example, quartz is often used metaphysically to conduct and amplify the effects of other stones. That makes some sense to me, given the physical conductive properties of quartz.  A lot of the metaphysical properties are based on color, too. Once you figure out how that works, you'll have a better sense of how you can substitute stones for each other.

If you want to make malas, you'll need beads. Bead vendors are subject to the same rules regarding disclosure as any other vendor who sells stones, but, in my experience, many bead vendors don't disclose. So take your time and shop around.

Hope this helps!

[carillion]

If you didn't already do this, it would probably be a good idea for you to search the forum for broader topics related to stones.  (Try searching for "stones", "crystals", and "rocks", rather than limiting to *synthetic* stones.)

As you'll see when you read some of those threads, many of us here feel that the lists of properties you find all over the web and in books are only of limited use.  In my experience, different people react differently to different stones and vice versa.  So what you read in a list might or might not actually work for YOU.  

For example, many people recommend hematite for grounding. But every piece of hematite I've tried to use like that has shattered in my hand.

Another factor is that even different specimens of the same kind of stone can "feel" different. Plus, I personally think whether and how the stone is cut also effects it significantly.

As for whether properties apply to synthetic and lab created stones, that's also something that (IMO) varies by the individual person and specimen.

Just to be clear, synthetic stones are chemically different from the natural version (a synthetic sapphire could be glass, for example), while lab grown stones are chemically the same.  Lab grown stones usually have far fewer flaws, too.  So, whether synthetic and/or lab grown stones are just as good as natural (or even better n in some cases) really depends on how you want to use them and on what you think is going on to create the metaphysical properties.

Treated stones are natural stones that have undergone some kind of treatment to enhance them. The kinds of treatments vary widely, and depend on the type of stone and the purpose of the treatment. And some treatments are fully accepted by gemologists, while others are considered unnecessary or even unethical.

For example, virtually all natural emerald on the market is treated to stabilize it, as is most natural turquoise. That's accepted and expected practice.  On the other end of the spectrum, there's howlite that has been dyed blue and sold as turquoise. Not ethical.  

(A side note about dyeing: A lot of dyed stones will lose their color over time, especially if exposed to sunlight. And some dyes will actually wash off if it gets wet.)

Vendors are required to disclose treatments, including dyeing, but many don't. In some cases, like in many Etsy shops, they're individuals who don't really know much about stones and aren't aware of the rules.  But large companies are also often guilty of failing to disclose. So, if you care about that sort of thing, it's important to buy from reputable vendors.

Then there are the outright scams.  A great example is "azeztulite".  Several years ago, Heaven and Earth, a metaphysical jewelry company, came out with a "newly discovered" and "super rare" form of quartz that had been "given" to the people of earth by some higher beings. (I don't remember all the details, but you can Google it, if you're interested.)  Of course, they claimed the azeztulite had amazing powers, and they charged a fortune for it.  And people actually bought it!  Turned out that azeztulite was nothing more than garden variety white quartz, which is one of the most plentiful kinds of rocks on the planet. *eyeroll*  Last time I checked, they were still marketing it as azeztulite.

Anyway.

Because metaphysical properties are so variable, I recommend experimenting to see what works for you.  The same would apply to synthetic, treated, and/or lab created -- try them and compare. You might find the non-natural pieces do what you want, or you might find they don't. There are too many factors involved to make a blanket statement.

(You don't have to sink a lot of money into stones, either.  Rocks you find outside can be just as effective -- and a whole lot cheaper and more environmentally friendly! -- than anything you buy.)

If there's a particular kind of rock you really want to try, look for it in actual rock shops, rather than metaphysical or new age shops.  Rock shop prices are usually significantly less. (And rock shop owners/staff are usually very helpful -- although not necessarily about the metaphysical aspects.) You can also look for lower quality specimens, since you probably don't need gem quality.

I think it also helps to learn about the physical properties of stones, too, because, in my experience, the metaphysical properties are often closely connected to the physical properties. For example, quartz is often used metaphysically to conduct and amplify the effects of other stones. That makes some sense to me, given the physical conductive properties of quartz.  A lot of the metaphysical properties are based on color, too. Once you figure out how that works, you'll have a better sense of how you can substitute stones for each other.

If you want to make malas, you'll need beads. Bead vendors are subject to the same rules regarding disclosure as any other vendor who sells stones, but, in my experience, many bead vendors don't disclose. So take your time and shop around.

Hope this helps!

 

All of this but the bolded part because it's wwwaaaaayyyy less expensive ( and great fun! I love rock shops:) ) but also because there are many endangered crystals and rock shops generally are licenecd and inspected to make sure they are abiding by the laws on this. How messed up would it be to be using stones that are being depleted by illegal mining probably carried out by children and sweatshop labour being paid a pittance.