Synthetic gemstones are grown in a laboratory instead of being formed in the ground by nature. They are physically and chemically identical to natural-grown gems but cost much less to produce and to buy.
Just like natural gems, synthetics vary tremendously in quality and it takes several months to create a batch of gems. Using low-quality processes, synthetic sapphires and rubies can be created for less than a dollar a carat, whereas high-quality synthetics can cost a hundred times more to create and sell for several hundred dollars a carat at retail.