Natural. Cultured. Lab-created. Imitation. Jewellery descriptions can feel like another language. These terms describe different things: what a material is, how it formed and sometimes how it has been treated. Here is a plain-language guide to shopping with clearer expectations.
Natural, lab-created and imitation stones
Natural gemstones form in nature rather than in a laboratory. Natural does not automatically mean untreated: a mined stone may have been heated, filled, dyed or otherwise treated after it formed.
Treated gemstones have been altered to change their appearance or durability. Treatment is separate from origin. Ask what treatment has been used and whether it changes how the stone should be cared for.
Lab-created or lab-grown gemstones are made in controlled conditions and have essentially the same chemical composition and crystal structure as the corresponding natural gemstone. Lab-grown ruby is ruby; lab-grown diamond is diamond. Their growth origin is different. The label alone does not establish environmental impact or ethical sourcing.
Imitation stones, also called simulants, resemble another gemstone but are a different material. Glass or cubic zirconia can be used to imitate diamond. An imitation can be an attractive choice; the important thing is that its material is described clearly.
Pearls: natural and cultured
Natural pearls form inside molluscs without human intervention in starting pearl formation. They are rare.
Cultured pearls also grow inside living molluscs, but people start the process, typically by introducing tissue, sometimes together with a bead nucleus. Cultured does not mean imitation.
Imitation pearls are manufactured beads, often glass or plastic with a coating, made to look like pearls. They are not grown by a mollusc.
Freshwater versus saltwater pearls
Freshwater and saltwater describe the environment in which a pearl grows, not whether it is natural or cultured. Both environments can produce cultured pearls.
Freshwater pearls are grown in freshwater molluscs. They can come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colours. Saltwater cultured pearls include Akoya, Tahitian and South Sea pearls.
Neither label is a quality guarantee. Lustre, surface condition, shape, nacre quality and size matter when comparing individual pearls. Baroque describes an irregular shape, not a separate origin category. Pearl colour may be natural or enhanced, so ask if this matters to you.
For a freshwater-pearl design in the store, explore the Luna Pearl Pendant. Its listing describes a freshwater pearl and sterling silver. Freshwater alone does not establish whether a pearl formed without human intervention.
Where moissanite fits
Moissanite is silicon carbide, a different material from diamond. Natural moissanite exists but is exceptionally rare; jewellery moissanite is generally lab-created. It is known for strong sparkle and colourful flashes of light, often called fire.
Moissanite can be used as a diamond simulant, but it remains a distinct material in its own right. It is not lab-grown diamond. It is highly scratch-resistant, although no stone is immune to damage.
See the Golden Radiance Moissanite Set for a moissanite design. Consult the individual listing for its stated materials, dimensions and included documentation. A general guide cannot independently verify a particular stone's origin or grading.
Jewellery metals in plain language
Solid gold means the gold alloy extends through the piece rather than being a surface layer. Its fineness describes the proportion of gold in the alloy.
Gold-plated means a layer of gold has been applied over another metal. The base metal and plating thickness affect wear and care.
Gold vermeil describes gold plating over sterling silver. Specific standards for the term vary by market, so check the stated fineness and thickness rather than relying on the name alone.
Gold-filled describes a gold-alloy layer mechanically bonded to a base metal. It is not the same as solid gold or ordinary electroplating.
Sterling silver is an alloy containing 92.5% silver. It can tarnish and may need suitable cleaning. A 925 marking indicates a claimed fineness, but a stamp alone is not independent proof of composition.
Can you tell a stone's origin by looking?
Not reliably. Photographs, sparkle, colour and price cannot establish whether a stone is natural, lab-created or imitation. Home tests and basic testers have limitations and can damage jewellery or produce misleading results.
Start with the product description. Ask for the exact material, growth origin, known treatments and any available report. For a purchase where identification is especially important, seek advice from a qualified gemmologist or a recognised gemmological laboratory.
Before you choose
Check the individual product page for the metal, stone or pearl description, size and care information. If a detail is missing, ask before ordering rather than assuming that words such as natural, genuine or premium answer every question.
For practical purchase information, read our Refund policy and Shipping policy. You can use our Contact information to ask about a particular piece.
The featured image is an AI-generated editorial arrangement based on product photographs. It illustrates the designs, not a test or certification of their materials. Updated October 2026.