"Chatham" Emerald Crystal Cluster, *Lab Grown*,
Old stock from San Francisco, CA.
14.88 g / 74.4 cts., 2.8 cm x 2.8 cm x 1.7
ex. Jean Lee collection
I never sell any synthetic or lab created gems or minerals,
however I always make an exception when it comes to early Chatham Emeralds.
Though many types of gemstones have been produced synthetically in laboratories,
some of the finest were developed by a man named Carroll Chatham of San Francisco, California.
Some have said the finest his company ever produced were done so before his passing in the early 1980's.
This cluster is from that time. Since that time, they were never grown in this way again.
Chatham Emeralds are lab grown. Even though they are lab grown, they are real emeralds!
All gems and minerals are a combination of atomic molecules that bond to form a specific chemical structure.
Sometimes called synthetic,
lab-created gems have the same chemical structure and composition as those found in nature,
usually with some additional added inclusions or chemical,
so that they can be distinguished from the naturally formed gem crystals.
These variation allows the new gem to be identified after cutting, as lab created.
These Chatham Emeralds fluoresce brighter that any emerald created by nature.
This specimen was purchased many years ago from Carroll himself.
Even my photos cannot do the color of these Emeralds justice.
The specimen is mounted with hot glue to the base, since the cluster is very dense.
I will remove it from the base if buyer wishes.
