Lab-grown sapphires have been around for several years, but it’s only recently that they’ve started gaining in popularity. These sapphires are becoming more and more common in the jewelry industry, and for good reason. They are stunning, eco-friendly, and a more affordable option than natural sapphires.
What are Lab-Grown Sapphires?
Lab-grown sapphires are also known as synthetic or cultured sapphires. They are created in a lab under controlled conditions, replicating the natural process that forms a sapphire in the earth’s crust. The result is a gemstone that has the same chemical and physical properties as a natural sapphire.
The process of growing a lab-grown sapphire involves two methods. The first method is called the flame fusion process. It involves melting aluminum oxide with other materials and letting it cool into a sapphire crystal. The second method is called the hydrothermal process. It involves placing a seed crystal into a solution that is heated under high pressure. The crystal grows from the seed in the solution, creating a sapphire crystal.
Lab-grown sapphires come in a variety of colors, just like natural sapphires. The most common color is blue, but they can also be yellow, green, pink, purple, and even colorless. The color of a sapphire depends on the trace elements present during its formation.
Advantages of Lab-Grown Sapphires
Eco-Friendly
One of the biggest advantages of lab-grown sapphires is that they are eco-friendly. The process of mining natural sapphires can be harmful to the environment. It can cause soil erosion, deforestation, and pollution of water sources. Lab-grown sapphires, on the other hand, have a minimal environmental impact.
Affordability
Lab-grown sapphires are much more affordable than natural sapphires. Natural sapphires are rare and valuable, which makes them expensive. Lab-grown sapphires, on the other hand, are created in a lab, which makes them more accessible and affordable.
Quality
Lab-grown sapphires have the same chemical and physical properties as natural sapphires. They are just as hard, durable, and scratch-resistant. They are also free from any inclusions or impurities, which can affect the clarity and value of a natural sapphire.
Availability
Natural sapphires are rare, which makes them difficult to find in large sizes or specific colors. Lab-grown sapphires, on the other hand, can be created in any size or color. This makes them a more accessible option for jewelry designers and consumers.
Ethical
The mining of natural sapphires can often involve unethical practices, such as child labor and exploitation of workers. Lab-grown sapphires, on the other hand, are created in a controlled environment that ensures ethical production practices.
Conclusion
Lab-grown sapphires are a beautiful, eco-friendly, and affordable option for jewelry designers and consumers. They have the same chemical and physical properties as natural sapphires, but with a smaller environmental impact and a more accessible price point. With their stunning variety of colors and ethical production practices, lab-grown sapphires are a perfect choice for anyone looking for a high-quality gemstone.
At oveela Jewelry, we promote the use of lab grown sapphires for jewelry that is ethically and environmentally friendly, We can match the stone to the carat size, cut, color, etc. that you want for your sapphires.
