FUNKYFUNYOU

1️⃣ Natural gemstones are formed naturally in the earth over millions of years, so each stone is unique and may contain natural inclusions or variations in colour.⁠
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Synthetic gemstones are created in a lab but usually have the same chemical composition and sparkle as natural stones. They’re often more affordable, more consistent in colour, and can also be a more sustainable option.⁠
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To achieve the same level of clarity and sparkle as synthetic gems, natural gemstones can become extremely expensive. Most of the natural gems I got are not super high-grade or super expensive, so they may look a bit softer, cloudier, or less “perfect” compared to lab-created stones.⁠
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2️⃣ A gemstone’s sparkle also depends a lot on its cut style.⁠
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For example, cabochon stones (smooth dome-shaped gems without facets) usually have a softer glow and won’t reflect light the same way as faceted gemstones, which are designed to create more sparkle and shine⁠
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3️⃣ However, not all synthetic gems are heat resistant. If you want to use stones for silver clay or lost wax casting, you can:⁠
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- Test them first⁠
- Ask the supplier whether they are “casting grade” or heat resistant⁠
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If they are casting grade, they are usually suitable for silver clay and lost wax processes.⁠
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Most natural gemstones are not suitable for high heat firing, except for some stones like diamonds, rubies, and spinels. But because natural diamonds are very expensive, people usually avoid casting them directly into jewellery due to the risk of damage or loss. Instead, they are normally set afterwards using traditional jewellery-making techniques.

925 sterling vs 999 fine Silver, what’s the actual difference?

Once polished, 925 and 999 silver honestly look very similar.
Most people can’t tell the difference just by looking at them.

The main difference is:

• 925 silver contains 7.5% copper
→ making it stronger and more durable for everyday wear
→ but also more likely to tarnish if stored poorly.

• 999 silver is almost pure silver
→ softer and slightly easier to scratch
→ but because it contains no copper, it doesn’t turn black as easily as 925 silver.

Before polishing, 999 silver has more of a soft matte/raw silver look
Very organic, handmade, and natural-looking, some people actually prefer this finish over super shiny silver.

Over time, 999 silver can still look a little less bright or dull, but it usually won’t get those dark black tarnish patches like 925.

Which one do you like?