Assignment 5 - Synthetics & Imitations Flashcards
A laboratory creation with essentially the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and properties as its natural counterpart.
Synthetic gem
Any material that looks like a natural gem and is used in its place.
Imitation gem
What are the two main categories of synthetic-gem production methods?
Most synthetic gem crystals are produced by either a melt or a solution process.
What are some differences between products of melt and solution processes?
- Solution processes are generally slower and more expensive than melt processes.
- Solution processes can synthesize gems that closely resemble natural gems.
Why is quartz synthesis important?
It plays a key role in technology. It can generate an electric current when it’s placed under pressure. And thinly sliced quartz can vibrate in precise response to alternating current.Scientists put these virtues to practical use in watches, clocks, communications equipment, filters, and oscillators.
What are some basic differences between synthetic and natural gems?
Internal and external characteristics can
help trained observers separate natural
from synthetic gems.
A synthetic-crystal growth method in which the chemical
mixture is melted, then recrystallized.
Melt process
A growth method in which the synthetic crystal grows from a dissolved chemical mixture,
sometimes at high temperature and pressure.
Solution process
A process in which powdered chemicals are dropped through a high-temperature flame onto a rotating pedestal to produce
a synthetic crystal.
Flame fusion
A process in which the synthetic crystal grows from a seed that is dipped into a chemical melt, then pulled away as it gathers
material.
Pulling
A cylindrical synthetic crystal
produced by a melt process.
Boule
A tiny crystal used as a template to control the size, speed, or direction of growth and the shape of a growing synthetic crystal.
Seed crystal
A melt process where a heating unit passes over a rotating solid rod of chemicals until it forms a
synthetic crystal.
Floating zone
A synthetic-crystal growth method that uses cooling pipes around an interior of melted
chemical ingredients.
Skull melt
A process in which nutrients dissolve in heated chemicals, then cool to form synthetic crystals.
Flux growth
A process in which nutrients dissolve in a water
solution at high temperature and pressure, then cool to form synthetic crystals.
Hydrothermal growth
A synthetic-crystal growth method that starts
without a seed crystal.
Spontaneous nucleation
A process in which finely ground powder is heated, sometimes under pressure, to produce
a fine-grained solid material.
Ceramic process
What are the benefits of synthetic and imitation gems?
Synthetics and imitations offer consumers on limited budgets an affordable alternative to fine colored stone jewelry.
How do synthetic gems and natural gems compare in cost?
Synthetics can possess the beauty and durability
of natural gems for a fraction of the cost.
Why is it important for a gem’s identity and origin to be disclosed?
It has an important impact on the value. Appropriate discloser also raises trust and sales.
How are imitation gems different from synthetic gems?
The thing that makes an imitation different from a synthetic is that it can be made of almost any material, as long as it looks like the gem it’s supposed to replace.
What different kinds of materials can serve as gem imitations?
- Natural Gemstones
- Synthetic Gemstones
- Non-gem material (e.g. Plastic)
Two or more separate pieces of material joined to form a unit.
Assembled stone
Two separate pieces of material fused or cemented together to form a single assembled stone.
Doublet
A single assembled stone made from three separate pieces of material fused or cemented together,or from two pieces and a colored cement layer.
Triplet
Synthetic opal is grown using microscopic silica spheres that are produced by
A. pulling.
B. sublimation.
C. precipitation.
D. spontaneous nucleation.
C. precipitation.
Which synthetic process uses an autoclave?
A. Pulling
B. Skull melt
C. Flux growth
D. Hydrothermal growth
D. Hydrothermal growth
The crucibles that work best for flux growth are made of
A. gold.
B. silver.
C. titanium.
D. platinum.
D. platinum.
Synthetic turquoise is most likely produced by which process?
A. Pulling
B. Ceramic
C. Sublimation
D. Floating zone
B. Ceramic
Which synthetic process developed rapidly due to laser research in the 1960s?
A. Pulling
B. Skull melt
C. Flame fusion
D. Spontaneous nucleation
A. Pulling
A snakeskin structural pattern is typical of
A. synthetic opal.
B. imitation lapis lazuli.
C. flame-fusion synthetics.
D. hydrothermal synthetic quartz.
D. hydrothermal synthetic quartz.
The hydrothermal growth process is the only method used to produce which synthetic gem?
A. Opal
B. Quartz
C. Alexandrite
D. Green chrysoberyl
B. Quartz
The flux used in the flux process is a solid material that, when molten,
A. dissolves other materials.
B. acts as a pattern for crystal growth.
C. helps prevent the formation of inclusions.
D. produces straight growth patterns in synthetic gems.
A. dissolves other materials.
