Lab-created gemstones are colored stones grown in a laboratory rather than mined. They have the same chemical composition and appearance as natural gemstones but are produced in a controlled environment. The plugin manages them in a separate catalog from natural gemstones.
Location: Go to Jewelry Builder → Lab Gemstones in your WordPress admin.
About Lab-Created Gemstones
Just as lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds grown in a lab, lab-created gemstones are real rubies, sapphires, emeralds, etc. grown using processes like flux growth, hydrothermal synthesis, or flame fusion. They share the same crystal structure, optical properties, and chemical composition as their natural counterparts.
Lab-created gemstones are typically 60–90% less expensive than comparable natural stones. They are also more consistent in quality – fewer inclusions, more predictable color saturation – and have no ethical concerns around mining. They are increasingly popular with eco-conscious buyers.
Lab Gemstones vs Natural Gemstones
| Aspect | Natural Gemstones | Lab Gemstones |
|---|---|---|
Database table |
wp_gemstones |
wp_lab_gemstones |
Admin menu |
Jewelry Builder → Natural Gemstones |
Jewelry Builder → Lab Gemstones |
Fields |
Full gemstone field set (30+ fields) |
Identical field set – same structure |
Builder display |
Shown under “Natural Gemstones” tab |
Shown under “Lab Gemstones” tab |
CSV import type |
Select “Natural Gemstones” |
Select “Lab Gemstones” |
Lab gemstones use exactly the same fields as natural gemstones. Everything in Natural Gemstones applies to lab gemstones. The only differences are the admin menu you use and the CSV type you select when importing.
Importing Lab Gemstones
The import process is identical to natural gemstones with one key difference – you select “Lab Gemstones” in the CSV File Type dropdown.
Go to Jewelry Builder → Import Hub
Open the Import Hub page.
Upload your lab gemstone CSV file
Click “Choose CSV File” and select your file from the Media Library.
Select "Lab Gemstones" in the File Type dropdown
This is the most important step – choosing the wrong type sends data to the wrong catalog. Double-check this before proceeding.
Map columns and import
Match your CSV columns to the database fields. Mandatory fields are Gemstone ID and Total Purchase Price. Click Import and wait for the progress bar to complete.
Tips
- Use a different ID prefix for lab gemstones (e.g.,
LG-GEM-) compared to natural gemstones (NAT-GEM-) to avoid ID conflicts between the two catalogs. - Lab gemstones often have more consistent quality – if all your lab rubies are “Vivid Red, Eye Clean,” you can batch-update that data in your spreadsheet before importing rather than entering it record by record.
- Never mix natural and lab gemstone data in the same CSV import. Import them in separate files with the correct type selected for each.