Real Sapphires Vs. Manufactured

Many people are familiar with the blue glow of a piece of sapphire jewelry. Few know, however, that the sapphire can be obtained through mining or can be manufactured in a laboratory.

Natural

Natural sapphires form when underground deposits of aluminum oxide corundum mixes with materials such as iron, titanium or chromium. Natural sapphires have ground impurities found within the stone.

Manufactured

Synthetic sapphires are created by adding alumina powder to a crucible placed over a flame to melt. A rotating rod passed through the material gathers crystals. This method is called the Czochralski method, and the result is a flawless stone. The lack of obvious flaws in the stone is one indication that a sapphire came from a laboratory.

Types

Natural sapphires are most notable for their blue color, but can occur in yellow, pink, purple, orange, green or red. Red sapphires are known as rubies. Each color of sapphire is available in those created in a laboratory.

Uses

Due to the amount of impurities within the stone, natural sapphires are rarely used in any form except precious jewelry. Lab-created sapphires, however, are used in making bullet-proof glass, body armor, semiconductors and lasers.

Considerations

Because manufactured sapphires are flawless and less expensive to create, most inexpensive sapphire jewelry uses this type. More expensive sapphire jewelry will have ground impurities within the stone and are more expensive.