this is now the second piece I have purchased from Amazon which was described as "lab created".  I think someone in the jewelry department is confused, misinformed or has been duped (for lack of a better word).  Lab created gems are chemically identical to the originals and appear as "flawless" gems.  Synthetics can be anything, and both of the items I received would more appropriately fall under the latter descriptor.

The "but" in my title?  I thought i had ordered the Alexandrite, a gem rarer and more expensive than diamonds in its natural form.  I told my husband that if it was nice  would offer it to our daughter (as I make jewelry, and have... quite a lot). It arrived, and did not change color, or indeed, look the right color.  When I went to the returns page, I saw that I had received the "aquamarine".  Now, here is a place where I can say with 100% certainty that this is not lab created.  The stone has a small purple area in the center.  A created stone should be pure, and a pale blue.  However, having asked my daughter if she would like it.... I was in a fix.  (I did offer to let her choose something to replace it) but she decided it was simple enough, went with her jeans... and was something she would likely wear.  So, I hope she will enjoy it, but, having attended gem shows since she was in a baby carrier, she knows as well as I that this is not aquamarine.

I will note that I had a similar experience with the "created" ruby earrings.  The color was just wrong! I have seen many people make similar remarks about other pieces as I was shopping for gifts.

I love amazon.  They keep my electronics up to date :)  But, I will buy my jewelry off site from now on; 2 for 2 were not what they should have been.