“Imitations” are materials that have a similar appearance to natural gems and are used in their place. They are often manufactured specifically to serve as substitutes.
Green glass, synthetic green spinel, green cubic zirconia, and green yttrium aluminum garnet are common imitations used in place of emerald.
Beginning in the back row at left – the name of the stone and its locality, carat weight, and the price that we paid: 1) chrome diopside from Russia, 1.16 carats ($11); 2) green quartz (dyed) from North Carolina, 2.6 carats ($8); 3) green tourmaline from Brazil, 0.77 carats ($58); 4) lab-created emerald manufactured by Chatham Created Gems, 0.23 carats ($37); 5) emerald from the Crabtree Mine, North Carolina, 0.50 carats ($80); 6) emerald from Colombia, 0.53 carats ($112); 7) tsavorite garnet from Tanzania, 0.68 carats ($105).
Notice how some of the least expensive stones are free of eye-visible fractures and obvious inclusions, while costly emeralds have fractures and inclusions that are clearly visible with the unaided eye. Some people have such a high desire for “emerald” that they are willing to pay more for an emerald than for another green stone that is larger, cleaner, and more attractive. Buy what you like!