Global Gemology - Rare Gems & Jewels
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synthetic sapphires


Not only are synthetic, lab-created sapphires a more affordable alternative to natural sapphires in jewelry, but they also have commercial uses, as well.

Watch crystals and grocery store scanners benefit from the scratch-resistant properties of synthetic sapphire.

Below is a list of the different types of synthetic sapphires.

synthetic sapphires

flame fusion (melt process)

Curved banding in a flame fusion synthetic sapphire
Photo courtesy of Lotus Gemology

Curved striae under magnification & diffused lighting (often confused with polish marks)

Gas bubbles (strings of gas bubbles may resemble broken silk)

flux grown (solution process)

Flux fingerprints and platinum platelet inclusions in a synthetic sapphire
Photo courtesy of Scott Papper, GIA GG, AJP, CM (NAJA), Global Gemology & Appraisals

Flux inclusions are generally white and high-relief, but can appear near-colorless, whitish, brownish, or yellow to orange

Flux might appear as two-phase, wispy veils that look like natural fingerprints or as coarse globules that might appear drippy, tubular, rod-like, icicle-like, or as droplets, dashed lines or clouds of minute particles

Sharp-edged triangular or hexagonal platelets, or stubby, needle-like metallic inclusions (usually platinum) strongly indicate synthetic
Flux fingerprint inclusion in a synthetic sapphire
Photo courtesy of Scott Papper, GIA GG, AJP, CM (NAJA), Global Gemology & Appraisals

hydrothermal (solution process)


Chevron-shaped or wavy, undulating growth zoning

pulled & floating zone (melt process)


Often nearly inclusion free

​Faint curved striae

​Gas bubbles

Smoke-like, swirling, veil-like inclusions

Swirls of color

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • SHOP
  • SERVICES
    • APPRAISALS
    • EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY
    • SELL YOUR JEWELRY
  • GEMOLOGY
    • GEM ENCYCLOPEDIA
    • THE ART OF GEMOLOGY
  • JEWELRY EDUCATION
    • DIAMOND FACTS
    • JEWELER DIRECTORY
    • JEWELRY PERIODS
    • POCKET WATCHES
    • NATIVE AMERICAN JEWELRY
  • GLOSSARY