They're not gem imitations; lab-created gemstones are the real deal. Check your inbox for details on how to get $25 off your next purchase of $100 or More, Available Mon-Fri from 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM ET OR Sat-Sun from Noon - 9PM ET. In comparison, the 1 carat lab-created sapphire pictured right retails for just under $20 at Amazon. Both types of sapphires are made of corundum, which is also known as aluminum oxide. In this three-stone … In some cases, the environment in which the stones were synthesized was so similar to “real” sapphire formation that it produced a gemstone almost identical to natural. JARED STORES ARE OPEN WITH NEW SAFETY MEASURESView Open Stores  |  View Helpful FAQs, a.smartedit_button { Because most consumers prefer the traditional blue sapphire, the color variation is not as wide in synthetic stones. However, sapphires are actually available in a variety of colors, each valued for their individual characteristics. A gem’s value may be decided based on where, how, and when it was mined. This article will provide you with a list of differences for you to distinguish one from the other. In the case of lab created sapphire, there is less of a sacrifice to be made. When you buy a lab created sapphire, you know you’re getting a stone with impeccable clarity, vivid color, and brilliance, and strength at a fraction of the cost of the natural stone. Jens holds a Master of Business Administration from Colorado Mesa University. They're not gem imitations; lab-created gemstones are the real deal. When it comes to durability, the lab created sapphire has a slight edge. A lab-created ruby or lab-created sapphire has the exact chemical composition as a natural ruby or natural sapphire harvested from a traditional mine. Joshua Kennon: Synthetic Gemstones vs. Natural Gemstones, A Web Experience brought to you by LEAFtv. However, lab-created sapphires are man-made in a carefully controlled laboratory environment while natural sapphires are naturally made by the earth over millions of years. They are grown in a laboratory but are identical chemically, physically and optically to natural gems. padding: 10px; They are durable, affordable, gorgeous and ethical.

Other shades of sapphires, such as green, pink, purple, and the ever-popular multi-colored (parti) sapphires, have been discovered in more recent decades, in mines within or near the same regions as traditional blue sapphires. Like celebrities and pop stars, the sapphire so too arrived and quickly earned a status as one of the And also, like celebrities and pop stars, it became a prime candidate for imitation.
You may not spot the difference with the naked eye, but you’ll be able to tell from the longevity you get out from wearing it. Since they are glass, tiny air bubbles remain in them after they form. display: inline-block; The colorless stones are the shiniest as they have the least amount of color and the least amount of inclusions. Natural sapphires with no inclusions command the highest price. Everything You Need to Know About Bezel Settings, What Ring Size Am I? A lab created sapphire has all the high-quality characteristics of the natural gem and is more flawless with hardly any imperfections.
It’s formed by volcanic processes in rock deep in the earth under high temperature, high-pressure conditions. This .49carat sapphire from the Natural Sapphire Company sells for about $370, unmounted. The fewer flaws the diamond has, the more valuable it is perceived to be. }.content {font-size: 14px;padding: 0 10px;} footer .content{font-size: 12px;padding: 0;}, WATCH LIVE! The main difference between a lab created sapphire and a natural sapphire boils down to the way it is made as well as the characteristics of the gemstone. will ultimately affect the sapphire’s retail price. We’re sorry to hear that this article was not helpful. The best clarity grade for sapphires is “eye clean” which means they have no inclusions visible to the naked eye. As with most gems, you have the option to choose between natural stones and man-made, lab-created sapphires. You can be sure every lab created sapphire is given the royal treatment.

In the case of sapphires, clarity is viewed in a very different way than it is with diamonds. Lab created sapphires cost an average of $8-$10 dollars less and considering the fact that what you get is of almost identical to the real diamond, that’s quite a bargain. There is a tradeoff between the two. Many choose a natural sapphire because of the mystery and romance associated with owning a natural stone. Next to natural, nothing that can compare to a fine lab-created stone. Please read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Soon Fremy joined forces with Auguste Verneuil to create the flame fusion, or Verneuil method, of creating stones from corundum. As the sapphire takes on its crystal structure, impurities leak in. Lab-created stone jewelry is also great for traveling, when you want to leave your very expensive jewelry at home, or when you want to look like you have very expensive baubles — or both! }@media (max-width: 768px) { All The Ways To Find Out four mine, Buying Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Rings, How To Buy An Engagement Ring On a Budget. That's why lab-created gemstones are available as alternatives. Although lab-created stones tend to be brighter than natural ones, they are not as shiny as fake glass sapphires. Under the scrutiny of highly advanced tools, these differences can be spotted. What jewelry to bring on your vacation and how to pack it.