Gemmes de France stands out for its high-quality gems, synthesised in France using renewable energy. These gems can be supplied raw but are generally sold cut to be integrated directly into jewellers’ creations.
Overview of the different synthetic gems used in jewellery:
Synthetic diamond (CVD process)
Humans complete Nature’s work, so well that synthetic diamonds do not usually have the defects of natural diamonds.
And because the CVD process involves countless parameters during diamond growth, the result is that, like natural diamonds, each synthetic diamond is unique.
These diamonds can be white (colourless) or coloured, and cut in all the usual shapes.
The colour of a diamond is determined by mineral or gaseous elements added to the carbon, or by modifications to the crystalline structure. Thus the yellow colour is due to the addition of nitrogen, while the blue is due to the presence of boron. Green, on the other hand, is due to exposure to natural radioactivity, while pink is due to deformation of the mesh, particularly as a result of pressure.
Synthetic emerald (Gilson process)
Emerald is the first mineral synthesis obtained by Pierre Gilson. His ‘Know-how’ process makes it possible to offer high-quality emeralds weighing up to 400 carats after a year’s growth.
It would be technically feasible to produce larger emeralds, but as the growth time increases, the price would be very high.
Several shades of green are possible, as well as other beryl colours.
Synthetic ruby (Gilson process)
Gilson synthesis produces rubies of high quality and large size. Several colours are possible, from pale pink to dark red.
Synthetic sapphire (Gilson process)
As with rubies, the Gilson process makes it possible to obtain large, high-quality sapphires in a variety of hues, from colourless to intense blue, yellow, orange, violet and more.
Synthetic sapphire (CVD process)
Currently we offer synthetic sapphires obtained by the Gilson process, which are used exclusively in jewellery. In the medium term, we plan to produce synthetic sapphires using the CVD process, which will enable these sapphires to be used both in jewellery and for certain high-tech applications. CVD sapphires can be supplied in a variety of forms, including wafers of different thicknesses.
Other synthetic gems and imitations (Gilson process)
Gemmes de France plans to relaunch, depending on demand, the other gems and imitations initially produced by Établissements céramiques Pierre Gilson SA: turquoise, opal, lapis lazuli and coral.
Top left, a Gilson turquoise statuette and, on the right, two Gilson lapis lazuli statuettes.
Bottom left, Gilson corals and, on the right, Gilson opals in several colours.