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Sapphires are very precious and desirable gemstones, greatly appreciated and sought after by jewelry lovers. It's easy to see why: The colors of natural sapphires are gorgeous, and they're extremely durable. As with most gems, you have the option to choose between natural stones and man-made, lab-created sapphires. Here's a quick rundown of the different characteristics of the two.
Many people confuse the word “synthetic” with “fake.” In many cases, that's inaccurate. “Synthetic” typically refers to something in nature that is developed, a component for component, in a controlled lab environment. Such is the case with some gemstones.
Sapphires are made from corundum, both in nature (where they’re mined) and in labs (where they're harvested once the predetermined development period is over). Because no synthetic material is used to replace the corundum used to create sapphires, real and synthetic sapphires are indistinguishable from one another by hardness and visual characteristics alone. To find the differences between the two types of sapphires, you have to look closely at the methods of formation and the environments in which both kinds of stones are developed.
Sapphires, along with just about any of the harder gemstones (diamond, moissanite, etc.) aren’t just used for jewelry. They also have many industrial uses, from windows to lenses on a variety of devices and tools. The first such use of sapphires occurred over three centuries ago, when industrial-grade sapphires were used as bearings for timepieces such as watches and clocks of that period.
Various sapphires have different origin stories. Blue sapphires were among the first sapphires discovered, in places like Kenya, Ceylon, Australia, and Vietnam. 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.
One interesting note about the origins of natural sapphires: The region from which they originate, or the age of a particular fancy (different-colored) sapphire, can have a bigger impact on a gem's market price than its official grade and rating from the GIA (or other expert gemological facility or organization). Natural sapphires of all colors that are rated as gemstone quality and marketed as such are rare enough. Sapphires from certain regions and time, such as those from Myanmar when it was still known as Myanmar, are more valuable than some mined recently in Australia — regardless of flaws or the overall quality of the sapphires.
The creation of synthetic sapphires followed the discovery of synthetic forms of corundum and the introduction of synthetic rubies in the late 1800s. Both rubies and sapphires form from varieties of corundum, which is why there are no true red sapphires (although shades of pink sapphires exist, and are quite rare and valuable).
Since their first uses in the industrial market, synthetic sapphires have been created in various gem labs as a less expensive and more easily duplicated alternative to naturally formed sapphires.
The prices of different gemstones vary, depending on the hue and/or saturation and purity of the gem, clarity, facet shape and quality, and number (or lack) of inclusions, or flaws. A gem’s value may be decided based on where, how, and when it was mined.
Depending on their size, original blue-colored loose natural sapphires of average to higher quality can cost more than $30 per carat. The best quality and highest-rated sapphires could cost around $50 or more per carat. Their synthetic counterparts are about $8 to $10 less expensive per carat. 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. These synthetic gems could fall into a price range almost equal to natural sapphires of the same or similar quality.
Note that these are often not the final prices for gemstones on the jewelry market. Their pairings with other gemstones, jewelry settings, cuts, etc. will ultimately affect the sapphire’s retail price.
If you consider buying a real and authentic stone for its value and properties, it's essential to deal with a well-known, reputable dealer you can trust. This is because the differences between the stones can only be differentiated by an expert. If you're looking for such a dealer, contact us today!
While research and discussions with gem experts and jewelry retailers will help you understand the differences between natural and man-made sapphires, there is little visual or physical evidence that differentiates one from the other.Some of the differences between natural sapphires and synthetic ones include:
When choosing between buying a natural or synthetic sapphire, here are some things you might want to keep in mind:
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Yes, lab-grown sapphires are real sapphires. Lab-grown sapphires are created using the same materials and processes that occur naturally in the earth to form sapphires. The only difference is that the growth of the crystal is initiated and controlled in a laboratory setting rather than in the earth's crust. The resulting lab-grown sapphire has the same chemical composition and physical properties as a natural sapphire.
Historically, sapphires were mostly found in Sri Lanka, Burma (now Myanmar), and the Kashmir region of India, and these sources are still highly regarded for their high-quality stones. Today, natural sapphires can be found in many parts of the world, including Asia, Australia, Africa, and North America.
There are a few ways to tell the difference between natural and synthetic sapphires. One way to distinguish between natural and synthetic sapphires is to examine them visually. Natural sapphires often have visible inclusions, while synthetic sapphires are generally free of inclusions or have very few. Natural sapphires may also have color zoning, which means that the color is not evenly distributed throughout the stone. In contrast, synthetic sapphires are more likely to have a uniform color. Using a jeweler's loupe or microscope, you can examine the internal structure of the stone. Natural sapphires may have growth lines, while synthetic sapphires are likely to have a more uniform internal structure. But if you are unsure about the authenticity of a sapphire, it's best to have it examined by a qualified gemologist or jewelry appraiser.
Yes, there is typically a price difference between natural and synthetic sapphires. Natural sapphires are generally more expensive than synthetic sapphires because they are rarer and require mining and extraction from the earth. The price of natural sapphires can vary widely depending on factors such as the size, color, clarity, and origin of the stone. Synthetic sapphires, on the other hand, are generally less expensive than natural sapphires because they are produced in a laboratory setting, which can result in lower production costs.