What type of gemstone would you classify as an imitation gem?

Imitation gems are specifically designed to replicate the appearance of natural gemstones, but they are not derived from the same mineral composition. This means that they are often created from synthetic materials or other substances that imitate the look of genuine stones. The key aspect of imitation gems is that they do not have the same properties or quality as the genuine gem they are attempting to mimic.

In contrast, an authentic gemstone treated for enhancements typically maintains its original mineral composition, but may undergo processes to improve color, clarity, or other characteristics. A natural stone cut poorly may not display the ideal aesthetic qualities, but it is still classified as a natural gem. Finally, a gemstone with a natural origin but poor quality refers to a genuine stone that has significant flaws, but it does not fit the definition of imitation because it is still a true gemstone, though not of high quality.

Thus, the classification of an imitation gem aligns perfectly with a fake stone made to look like a natural gem, distinguishing it from authentic or natural options that may possess various characteristics and qualities.