More recently there has been a huge increase in the demand for lab-grown gemstones, especially after the release of sapphire rings. An environmentally friendly yet affordable alternative to your average gemstones, these innovative gems offer some of the best newly discovered materials created off-site. With a rising concern for sustainable and ethical sourcing, lab-created sapphires are stealing the limelight for all eco-friendly shoppers around the globe. In this post we will go over everything you need to know about lab-grown sapphire rings, what goes into making them, and why they are a great option for use as engagement rings or any other form of fashion jewelry.
What is a Lab Grown Sapphire?
Lab sapphire on the other side is a synthetic stone made in a laboratory with technology that replicates natural conditions under which stones of this type form deep beneath the Earth. Those gemstones have the same chemical, bodily, and optical properties as clearly going on sapphires but are grown in a controlled environment. This has yielded a gemstone of the same aesthetic as the mine-originated one.
While natural sapphires require millions of years to create, lab-created blue sapphire is grown in about a week. The lab process imbues the gemstone with strength and vibrancy that does not detract from its overall beauty, making it ideal for someone in Wyoming who wants a high-end, durable, ethically sourced stone.
How are Lab Grown Sapphires Made
There are two main methods of lab-grown sapphire production: the Verneuil process, and the Czochralski (or pulling) method.
- Verneuil Process: This process, also called flame fusion, includes melting aluminum oxide powder at exceptionally high temperatures. Once the molten material is cooled and falls down to form a crystal in sapphire. This is the most typical procedure among lab-grown sapphires for it is quick and low-cost.
- Czochralski Process: This method is used to draw sapphire crystal seed from a molten solution of aluminum oxide. As additional material adheres to the seed, the crystal grows more. This method is slower and more expensive than the Verneuil process but yields better quality sapphires with fewer inclusions as well.
In both cases, the gemstones are chemically identical to natural sapphires and show no significant visual or durational differences.
Benefits of Lab-Grown Sapphire Rings
We all know naturally sapphires have numerous facets that cannot be well controlled in their manufacturing and polishing procedure, or it is just very tough to expose them since the surrounding rock is attached. These benefits include:
- Cost-effectiveness: One of the solid reasons why to choose lab-grown sapphires over natural sapphires is its cost. But why they are so cheap is because crystal sapphires require less expensive production and not necessarily mine like natural sapphires.
- Ethical Sourcing: A major issue with natural sapphires is the environmental and human factor that comes into play during mining. However, the predatory nature of sapphire mining in many areas means that this industry encourages deforestation (including illegal logging), and habitat loss from clear-cutting for mines, and contributes to unfair labor practices. When people instead buy a lab grown sapphire ring, it eliminates all of these issues and supports an eco-friendlier way forward for the gemstone industry.
- Consistent Quality: Lab-grown sapphires are created in a controlled environment so that they typically do not have any of the impurities or imperfections you find in natural sapphires The result is an unparalleled vibrant, flawless, and transparent gemstone that displays exceptional shine and brilliance.
- Variety of Colors: Lab-grown sapphires can be designed into numerous shades that include the traditional blue, as well as pink and yellow or even colorless. This gives the consumer the flexibility to select a stone that aligns with their taste and personal style. Moreover, precision in the dimensions of shapes and cuts is assured by way of a controlled process throughout production.
Lab-Grown Sapphire Rings in Fashion
Lab-grown sapphire rings are incredibly versatile and elegant, making them the favorite type of engagement ring. They are popular with designers and consumers for their intense color range as well as dazzling light dispersion. Whether you want it to be bold or unpretentious, a lab-created sapphire ring can enhance any range of attire.
Conclusion
These future-industry sapphire rings are both more beautiful, sustainable, and affordable than any natural gem on the market. Whether you are a soon-to-be bride, an aspiring influencer or simply seeking the perfect present for your loved one. A lab-created sapphire is something to be excited about!
