Key takeaways
- A lab-grown emerald (or synthetic emerald) is a real green beryl: the same composition, crystal structure and hardness as a natural emerald.
- Only the origin changes: it is crystallized in a lab instead of being mined, and its clarity is usually more consistent.
- At Laveran, an emerald engagement ring costs from €800 (0.30 carat stone) and €1,424 with a 1 carat emerald.
A synthetic emerald is a real emerald, created by people: at Laveran, a lab-grown emerald engagement ring costs from €800, and €1,424 with a 1 carat center stone. Chemically, it is the same stone as a natural emerald: a beryl colored green by traces of chromium and vanadium. This guide answers the real questions: how it differs from a natural emerald, how to tell, price, setting, and everyday wear.
Contents
- What is a lab-grown emerald?
- What is the difference between a synthetic and a natural emerald?
- How can you tell a real emerald?
- How much does a lab-grown emerald cost?
- Which emerald engagement ring should you choose?
- Emerald ring in yellow gold, white gold or platinum?
- What does an emerald engagement ring mean?
- Can you wear an emerald every day?
- Frequently asked questions
What is a lab-grown emerald?
A lab-grown emerald is a green beryl crystallized in a lab, not an imitation. Emerald, natural or not, is the green variety of beryl, a beryllium aluminum silicate in the same mineral family as aquamarine. Its color comes from traces of chromium and vanadium. In the lab, these same elements are brought together and the conditions that let the crystal form are recreated, slowly, over several weeks. The result has the same chemical composition, crystal structure and hardness as a mined stone (source: GIA).
Lab-grown emerald, synthetic emerald, lab-created emerald and created emerald all mean the same thing. There are two processes: flux growth, where the crystal forms in a bath of molten salts, and hydrothermal growth, which reproduces the hot, mineral-rich water that forms natural emeralds. Stones grown this way are called hydrothermal emeralds.
Do not confuse it with an imitation: green glass or a stone from another family sold as "emerald-style" has neither the composition nor the hardness of an emerald. A synthetic emerald, on the other hand, is truly an emerald.
What is the difference between a synthetic and a natural emerald?
The real difference is the origin, and with it clarity and price. To the naked eye, a lab-grown emerald and a natural emerald of the same color cannot be told apart. Here is what changes, and what does not:
| Criterion | Lab-grown emerald | Natural emerald |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral | Beryl (beryllium aluminum silicate) | Beryl (beryllium aluminum silicate) |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) | 7.5 to 8 out of 10 | 7.5 to 8 out of 10 |
| Origin | Crystallized in a lab (flux or hydrothermal process) | Formed in the earth, mined (Colombia, Zambia, Brazil…) |
| Color | Even green, chosen at creation | From light to deep green, sometimes slightly bluish |
| Inclusions | Few, a cleaner stone | Almost always present: they are called the emerald's "jardin" (garden) |
| Treatments | Color and clarity achieved during growth | Most are oiled to soften fissures and improve apparent clarity |
| Price | Accessible: a complete ring from €800 at Laveran | Varies widely with origin, color, clarity and degree of treatment |
This is what sets emerald apart: a natural emerald with no visible inclusions is extremely rare, and most mined stones are oiled to hide their fissures. A synthetic emerald grows cleaner and does not need this treatment. To learn about the history, virtues and symbolism of the natural stone, read our guide all about emerald.
How can you tell a real emerald?
To the naked eye, a synthetic emerald cannot be told from a natural one: only an equipped gemologist can identify its origin. They examine the inclusions and growth patterns of the crystal under a microscope. Telling a real emerald from a glass imitation, on the other hand, is easy for a professional.
What to keep in mind when buying:
- A serious jeweler always discloses the origin of the stone. At Laveran, every product page clearly states "synthetic emerald."
- A real emerald is not necessarily natural: a lab-grown emerald is a real emerald. A fake emerald is an imitation (glass, a stone from another family).
- A perfectly clean, inexpensive natural emerald should make you suspicious: ask for a report from a gemological lab, which also states whether the stone is oiled.
Want to see a lab-grown emerald on the finger? In our 11 showrooms or by video call, an expert shows you settings and stone sizes side by side. Emerald engagement rings from €800. Book an appointment →
How much does a lab-grown emerald cost?
At Laveran, a lab-grown emerald engagement ring costs from €800 (0.30 carat) to €4,260 (5 carats), depending on the setting and the weight of the stone. A 1 carat synthetic emerald set as a solitaire costs €1,424. Here are the real prices of our four families of emerald rings, as of October 2026:
| Emerald weight | Solitaire (Palais Royal, Montaigne) | Pavé band (Vendôme) | Halo (Odéon) | Double halo (Odéon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.30 carat | €800 | €1,200 | €1,400 | €1,500 |
| 0.50 carat | €1,056 | €1,456 | €1,656 | €1,756 |
| 0.70 carat | €1,160 | €1,560 | €1,760 | €1,860 |
| 1 carat | €1,424 | €1,824 | €2,024 | €2,124 |
| 1.50 carats | €1,960 | €2,360 | €2,560 | €2,660 |
| 2 carats | €2,280 | €2,680 | €2,880 | €2,980 |
| 3 carats | €2,760 | €3,160 | €3,360 | €3,460 |
| 5 carats | €3,560 | €3,960 | €4,160 | €4,260 |
These prices are for the complete ring: the emerald, the 18k gold or platinum setting, and the lab-grown diamonds of the pavé or halo, IGI or GIA certified. They are the same in white gold, yellow gold, rose gold and 950 platinum: at Laveran, platinum costs the same as gold. Installment payments are available with Alma.
Why does a 1 carat emerald stay so affordable? Because intense green, good transparency and no oil are very expensive in nature, while in the lab they are not rare.
Which emerald engagement ring should you choose?
A solitaire showcases the emerald's green; a diamond halo makes it brighter and protects it. Both are safe choices; it depends on the look you want and the everyday life of the person who will wear it.
- The solitaire, understated and timeless, on a slim plain band: nothing distracts from the green. Palais Royal emerald ring, from €800.
- The pavé band, for an emerald and diamond ring that sparkles across the top of the band: Vendôme oval emerald ring, from €1,200.
- The halo, a circle of lab-grown diamonds around the emerald that makes it look larger and protects its edges: Odéon oval emerald ring, from €1,400.
- The double halo, two rows of diamonds for a very bright ring: Odéon double halo emerald, from €1,500.
Emerald cut, oval, pear or round emerald?
The emerald cut is the stone's historic shape: its cut corners protect the edges, and its long rectangular facets bring out color rather than sparkle. An oval lengthens the finger and gives a more modern emerald ring; pear and marquise are more original; round and cushion more classic. At Laveran, lab-grown emerald comes in round, oval, cushion, pear, marquise and emerald cut, from 0.30 to 5 carats.
All our emerald, ruby and sapphire rings are in the precious gemstones collection. Torn between the three stones? Compare with our guides to lab-grown ruby and lab-grown sapphire. And if it is the shape rather than the color you love, see our article on emerald-cut diamond engagement rings.
Emerald ring in yellow gold, white gold or platinum?
Yellow gold gives emerald a warm, vintage green; white gold and platinum make it fresher and brighter by contrast. The choice depends mostly on the jewelry she already wears every day.
| Metal | Effect with an emerald | Best if… |
|---|---|---|
| 18k yellow gold | Warm, very classic, "antique ring" feel | She mostly wears yellow gold. |
| 18k white gold | Crisp contrast, the green looks brighter | She wears silver, white gold or a steel watch. |
| 950 platinum | Lasting white, same contrast as white gold | You want a white metal that stays white, at the same price as gold. |
| 18k rose gold | Soft and original, green and pink play off each other | She loves romantic, out-of-the-ordinary jewelry. |
What does an emerald engagement ring mean?
Emerald symbolizes hope, renewal and faithful love: its green is the color of nature reborn. It is the birthstone for May, and in France the stone of the emerald wedding anniversary, which celebrates 40 years of marriage.
Choosing an emerald engagement ring instead of a diamond means choosing a ring with character, unlike any other. Surrounded by diamonds, it keeps the sparkle of a classic engagement ring.
Can you wear an emerald every day?
Yes: with a hardness of 7.5 to 8 out of 10, emerald can be worn every day, but it needs a little more care than a ruby, a sapphire or a diamond. It resists everyday scratches well; hard knocks are what to avoid. That is why a setting that protects the stone, such as a halo or an emerald cut with cut corners, is a good choice for a ring worn daily.
- clean it in lukewarm, lightly soapy water with a soft brush, then dry with a cloth;
- avoid ultrasonic cleaners and sudden temperature changes;
- take the ring off for sports, gardening, DIY or household chemicals;
- store it separately so a diamond cannot scratch it.
Every Laveran ring comes with a lifetime warranty, free lifetime resizing and free lifetime polishing and prong checks: regular prong checks are the best insurance for a colored stone. The ring is made to order in 2 to 3 weeks, shipped free, insured and hand-delivered, with returns within 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Is a synthetic emerald a real emerald?
Yes. A synthetic emerald, or lab-grown emerald, is a green beryl: the same chemical composition, crystal structure and hardness as a natural emerald. Only its origin differs. A "fake emerald" is an imitation made of another material, such as glass.
How much does a 1 carat emerald cost?
At Laveran, a solitaire ring with a 1 carat lab-grown emerald costs €1,424, including the 18k gold or platinum setting. With a diamond halo, expect €2,024. The price of a 1 carat natural emerald varies enormously with its color, clarity, origin and treatment.
How much is a synthetic emerald?
A complete synthetic emerald ring costs €800 to €4,260 at Laveran, depending on the weight of the stone (0.30 to 5 carats) and the setting: solitaire, pavé band, halo or double halo.
Does a lab-grown emerald have inclusions?
Usually far fewer than a natural emerald, whose inclusions, called the "jardin," are almost unavoidable. It does not need oiling to look clean.
Is emerald suitable for an engagement ring?
Yes. With a hardness of 7.5 to 8 out of 10, it handles daily wear as long as you avoid knocks. A diamond halo or an emerald cut with cut corners protects the stone.
Which emerald shape should you choose?
The emerald cut is the traditional and most protective shape. Oval is more modern and lengthens the finger; pear and marquise are more original. All are available at Laveran, from 0.30 to 5 carats.
Does a lab-grown emerald lose its color?
No. Its color comes from the chromium and vanadium in the crystal, just like a natural emerald. It is stable and does not fade with wear.
How long does it take to receive an emerald ring?
Each ring is made to order in 2 to 3 weeks. For a Christmas proposal, order before the end of November. The exact lead time is confirmed at your appointment.
An emerald engagement ring gives you the green of a precious stone at the price of a classic ring. Come and compare settings, shapes and emerald sizes in one of our 11 showrooms or by video call: an expert will help you find the ring that suits her.
