Genuine versus simulated mothers rings birth stones:
Natural genuine gemstones are mined from the earth, and they are greatly prized for their exotic qualities that nature has formed. Simulated gemstones occur in a wide gamut of qualities, made from laboratory grown crystals as common as glass, lead crystals, and more rare substances that yield color and scintillation qualities similar to natural birth stone colors. There is also a third quality of birth stones cultured over the past 20 years, laboratory grown crystals that are exact in physical properties to their natural counterparts. Each has a value and quality trade off that bears examination for the buyer of a gold mother’s ring:

• Genuine gemstones:
  These are rare stones, formed from millions of years under the earth’s crust. Each stone is a unique miracle of nature, with a one of a kind history behind it. In most varieties, genuine gem stones are not much more in cost than their simulated counterparts, and certainly have more emotional and historical value. The cost difference between a 4mm genuine citrine and an imitation citrine can be all of $10. However, some genuine stones, such as diamond, emerald, ruby and sapphire can be considerably more expensive than their simulated counterparts, with a price range of $400 or more for their respective equivalents for an average 4mm size stone.
  
  
• Simulated gemstones: Simulated gem stones can vary greatly from the source material that is used to create them. Glass and crystal, of course, are two of the least desirable varieties, because they are common materials and are easily broken. Zircon, on the other hand, is used to create many color varieties of simulated stones and displays a hardness and refractive index nearly equal to that of diamond. Other varieties of simulated gems use a crystal structure very near that of the original stone, rendering a more true birth stone color and refractive rendition to the original. In any case, these stones are easily produced and should cost no more than $25 each for a 4mm stone.
  
  
• Lab created or cultured gemstones:
  During the past 20 years or so, gemologists have been able recreate the exact process by which gemstones are created, growing crystals in a laboratory environment. These are known as lab created or "cultured" gemstones, and they posses the exact same physical qualities as their genuine counterparts. Their hardness, refractive index, and weight is exactly the same as their genuine counterparts. More often than not, their color is exquisite, because they lack the internal flaws that nature demands. These stones sell for about 1/2 to 1/4 of the price of their natural counterparts. Rare and precious stones such as diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and alexandrite, all have lab created equivalents, which can pose a wise choice when compared to their original counterparts.
  One of our favorite sites, momsring.com, sells lab created alexandrite as an alternative to natural alexandrite. The price is about 75% less, and they display a better color-change quality than genuine varieties.

Ultimately, the choice is up to you: you may choose the romance of natural birth stone mothers rings or the value of a good simulated personalized mothers ring for a much more affordable cost.