What is a Lab Grown Sapphire?
Lab Grown Sapphires (also called Lab Created Sapphires, Lab Sapphires or Created Sapphires) are precisely what the name suggests, Sapphires grown in a lab. Lab Sapphires are produced under the same conditions and materials that produce Sapphires in nature, in a vastly reduced time-frame. Both mined Sapphires and Lab Sapphires form from the same mineral (Corundum) and are 100% chemically and optically identical, the only difference lies in their origin.
Why choose Lab Grown Sapphire?
Good quality mined Sapphires are rare and very expensive. With lab grown gemstones available, the bold, coveted look of Sapphire is now accessible to many for the first time, and at a fraction of the cost. Sapphire is an excellent gemstone for jewelry due to its hardness, luster and rich hue. Lab Sapphire, grown in a controlled environment, will typically have even better clarity due to the presence of fewer inclusions.
Fun Facts & Famous Sapphires:
- Sapphires, both mined and lab grown, are the birthstone for the month of September.
- Sapphires, both mined and lab grown, are the gemstone associated with 5th and 45th wedding anniversary gifts.
- The name “Sapphire” gets its name for the Greek word sáppheiros, which roughly translates to “blue stone” and “precious gem”.
- Sapphires, both mined and lab, form from the mineral Corundum. Despite famously being associated with the color blue, Corundum occurs in many colors, including pink, yellow, orange, peach and violet. These color varieties are classified as “Fancy Sapphires”. Red corundum is the only that is not considered a Sapphire - red colored corundum is Ruby.
- Princess Diana & Kate Middleton’s Sapphire engagement ring is considered to be the world’s most famous engagement ring.
- Due to its durability, Lab Grown Sapphire (sometimes called Sapphire Glass) has been used for industrial purposes like lenses for watches, optics, lasers, in addition to jewelry for years.
How to Care for Lab Grown Sapphire Jewelry
Lab Grown Sapphires are perfect for daily wear. Sapphire is an incredibly hard gemstone second only to Diamond, with a Mohs hardness rating of 9 (out of 10). Lab Grown Sapphire created in a controlled environment will form with fewer inclusions, making them an even more durable alternative.
We recommend regularly cleaning your Lab Sapphire jewelry with mild dish soap and warm water, using a toothbrush to scrub behind the stone where dust can collect. Sapphire jewelry, especially with Lab Grown Sapphires, is especially resilient, if additional cleaning is required it is durable enough to be put into an ultrasonic cleaners, with regular jewelry cleaning solutions. For more information about how to clean your Lab Grown Sapphire jewelry, contact our Jewelry Consultants.
