Lab Grown Vs. Natural Sapphires, What is the Difference?

Sapphire, the most beautiful birthstone for September, is beloved by consumers for its enchanting blue luster and exceptional hardness. With the advancement of modern technology, lab-grown sapphire techniques have become increasingly refined, offering new options to the jewelry market. Yet, many people wonder: How do lab-created sapphires differ from natural sapphires in quality, appearance, and value? Which type of sapphire is the right choice for you?

This article takes a deep dive into multiple aspects to analyze the differences between lab-grown and natural sapphires. Whether you're new to sapphires or a passionate enthusiast looking to deepen your knowledge, this article aims to clear up your questions and provide expert guidance for your jewelry selection.

What is a Lab-Grown Sapphire?

Lab-grown sapphire, also known as synthetic sapphire or lab-created sapphire, is created in a controlled laboratory environment that simulates the natural conditions under which sapphires form. These stones share the same chemical makeup, physical properties, and optical features as natural sapphires.

The main production methods for lab-grown sapphires include flame fusion, pulling (Czochralski) method, heat-exchange, and flux growth. Flame fusion, the earliest and most widely used technique, melts aluminum oxide powder in a high-temperature flame and then cools it to form sapphire crystals. The pulling method slowly extracts a seed crystal from molten aluminum oxide to create a single crystal structure. 

Flux growth dissolves raw materials in a solution and lets crystals form over time. Sapphires made by the flux method often contain inclusions, similar to natural ones, though the size of these crystals tends to be smaller. All these approaches enable relatively quick production of high-quality sapphires.

Lab-grown sapphires are made of aluminum oxide, exactly like their natural counterparts. They rank 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, second only to diamonds, making them highly durable and wear-resistant. In terms of color, by controlling impurities during growth, synthetic sapphires can range from light to deep blue and can even be created in pink, yellow, white, and other shades.

Modern lab technology is so advanced that it produces sapphires with high clarity, uniform color, and controllable size. Visually, these stones closely resemble natural sapphires and require specialized gemological tools and expertise to tell apart accurately.

What is a Natural Sapphire?

Natural sapphires are precious gemstones formed deep within the earth over tens of millions to billions of years through geological processes. They originate in aluminum-rich rocks where high temperature and pressure cause aluminum and oxygen to combine into aluminum oxide crystals. When trace elements like iron and titanium are present, the beautiful blue color appears.

Famous natural sapphire sources include Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia, the Kashmir region of India, and Madagascar. Each location produces sapphires with unique characteristics. For example, Burmese sapphires are known for their vivid colors and excellent transparency; Sri Lankan sapphires are prized for their pure blue hues and high clarity; Kashmir sapphires are legendary for their distinct cornflower blue shade, often regarded as the finest among sapphires.

The formation of natural sapphires is a slow and complex process, often resulting in various natural inclusions and growth patterns inside the stone. These internal features act like an ID card proving the sapphire's natural origin and give each gemstone its own unique personality. Sometimes the color distribution in natural sapphires may be uneven, but it's precisely these natural imperfections that create their special charm.

The rarity of natural sapphires gives them great value, especially those that are richly colored, highly clear, and large in size. Many natural sapphires also carry rich historical and cultural significance, making them prized heirlooms and collector's treasures.

Similarities Between Lab-Grown Sapphires and Natural Sapphires

Lab-grown sapphires and natural sapphires are both real sapphires. They share many fundamental properties, which is a testament to the success of lab-growing technology.

First, their chemical composition is exactly the same: pure aluminum oxide. This means they have identical molecular and crystal structures with no differences in chemical properties. Whether grown in a lab or formed naturally, the chemical formula is Al₂O₃.

Physically, they both boast a Mohs hardness of 9, just below diamond's hardness of 10. This gives both lab-grown and natural sapphires excellent scratch resistance and durability, making them great for all types of jewelry. Their density is also essentially the same, about 4.0 grams per cubic centimeter.

Optically, they share the same refractive index, birefringence, and dispersion values. So, the sparkle and brilliance they show under light are identical. When light passes through either stone, they produce the same optical effects like internal reflection, refraction, and color separation.

In terms of color, lab-grown sapphires can match or even surpass the beauty of natural sapphires. By precisely controlling trace elements during growth, labs can produce a range of blue hues—from light to deep blue—including classic prized colors like cornflower blue and royal blue.

Durability-wise, both types have outstanding chemical stability. They won't change color or break down from normal daily wear. Both can handle standard cleaning and maintenance with similar lifespans.

From an aesthetic point of view, carefully cut and polished lab-grown and natural sapphires are nearly indistinguishable to the eye. Both display sapphire's unique noble charm and captivating luster, fulfilling consumers' desire for beauty.

Differences Between Lab-Grown Sapphires and Natural Sapphires

Despite their close similarities, there are some important differences between lab-grown and natural sapphires. These differences mainly lie in how they form, their internal structures, market value, and meaning as collectibles.

1. Formation Time and Process

Natural sapphires form over tens of millions to hundreds of millions of years deep within the Earth through complex geological changes. This long process makes every natural sapphire unique, carrying a piece of Earth's history. In contrast, lab-created sapphires take just days to months to grow, crystallized rapidly under controlled conditions.

2. Internal Inclusions Natural sapphires develop various inclusions over their long formation, like silk-like threads, gas-liquid inclusions, and mineral inclusions. These inclusions serve as a "fingerprint" unique to each natural stone. Natural sapphires may also show natural growth lines and color zoning, important signs of their natural origin. Lab-grown sapphires may also have growth features, but they differ clearly from natural ones. For example, flame fusion sapphires often show curved growth lines, while pulling method sapphires may have straight growth lines. These artificial growth patterns are key clues for professional identification.

3. Color Distribution

Natural sapphires often have uneven color distribution with zones or variations in saturation—a natural outcome of changing growth conditions. Lab-created sapphires, grown in controlled environments, tend to have much more uniform color and rarely display pronounced zoning.

4. Market Value

Market value is one of the clearest differences between the two. Natural sapphires face supply uncertainties due to factors like deposit size, mining difficulty, and political conditions. Lab sapphires can be produced at scale to meet demand, with more consistent size and quality. The rarity and non-renewable nature of natural sapphires usually give them a market value many times higher than lab-grown sapphire of the same quality. As the quality improves, this value gap grows even wider.

5. Investment and Collectible Value

High-quality rare natural sapphires have good potential for retaining and increasing value, often chosen for investment and collection. While lab-grown sapphires have excellent decorative value, their mass producibility limits their investment appeal.

6. Emotional and Symbolic Meanings

Many people feel natural sapphires carry deeper emotional and symbolic significance, with their formation story spanning billions of years adding a romantic allure. Synethtic sapphires are beautiful too but may not fully replace the special emotional status of natural stones.

7. Identification Methods

Only expert gemologists can distinguish high-quality lab-grown sapphires from natural ones. They use tools like high-power microscopes, spectral analysis, and inclusion examination. Certificates for natural sapphires clearly state "Natural". while lab-grown sapphires are labeled "Synthetic" or "Lab-grown".

Lab-Grown Vs. Natural Sapphires, Which is the Best?

Deciding whether to go for a lab-grown sapphire or a natural sapphire depends on your personal needs, budget, and values. Each option has its own unique benefits and fits different situations.

1. Budget Considerations

If your budget is a bit tight but you still want high-quality sapphire jewelry, lab-created sapphires are a great choice. For the same amount of money, you can get a larger, clearer lab-grown sapphire compared to a natural one. This way, you get the beauty you want without breaking the bank.  

On the other hand, if you have a generous budget and are looking for rarity and collector's value, natural sapphires are often the better pick. Their rarity and non-renewable nature give them a stronger potential for retaining or increasing value over time.

2. Purpose of Use

If your main goal is to wear or decorate with sapphires daily, lab-grown versions can easily meet your needs. They look just as beautiful and are just as durable as natural sapphires, but with better cost-effectiveness. However, for special occasions like wedding rings, family heirlooms, or meaningful gifts, many prefer natural sapphires because their natural formation carries a deeper symbolic meaning.

3. Environmental Values

Lab-grown sapphires have a greener production process since they don't require large-scale mining, which reduces environmental impact. For eco-conscious buyers, choosing lab-created sapphire gemstones is a more sustainable option.

4. Quality Expectations

If you're very particular about gemstone clarity, lab-grown sapphires usually offer a better choice. Controlled growing conditions mean they typically have higher clarity than natural sapphires. But if you appreciate the unique traits of natural gems — like their inclusions and color variations — these "imperfections" actually add to the charm of natural sapphires.

5. Investment Perspective

From a long-term investment standpoint, high-quality natural sapphires tend to hold or increase in value better. Rare types, such as Kashmir sapphires or untreated Burmese sapphires, have significant potential for value growth. Lab-grown sapphires, while less likely to appreciate, carry lower initial costs and come with less investment risk.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to your personal values and preferences. Some people treasure the natural rarity and history of a gemstone, while others prioritize practicality and value for money. The most important thing is to be clear about what you want and choose what suits you best. Whichever sapphire you pick, make sure to buy from reputable sellers who provide authentic certification. This helps ensure you get a genuine, quality gem and avoid counterfeit products.

LUO Jewelry Lab-Grown Sapphire Jewelry

As a professional jewelry brand, LUO Jewelry is dedicated to providing you with high-quality synthetic sapphires that meet gemstone-grade standards. Wth exquisite craftsmanship, we create a stunning collection of lab-grown sapphire jewelry. Each lab sapphire exhibit outstanding clarity, enhancing the gemstone's visual appeal and ensuring perfect light transmission inside the stone, resulting in brilliant sparkle. 

Moreover, we also pay special attention to the color quality of our lab-created sapphires. By precisely controlling the cultivation process, we achieve a range of classic hues from elegant light blue to deep royal blue. 

Lab Grown Sapphire Ring Collection

LUO Jewelry's lab-grown sapphire ring collection comes in diverse designs. For example，The classic solitaire sapphire engagement rings highlight the natural beauty of the lab sapphire with simple, elegant designs, perfect for everyday wear or formal occasions. 

The three-stone sapphire engagement rings carry meaningful symbolism—the central lab-grown sapphire represents the present, while the side stones signify the past and future, combining elegance with deep significance. Halo sapphire engagement rings feature a circle of delicate diamonds surrounding the center stone, enhancing the sapphire's dazzling effect.