Lab-made corundum, renowned for its durability and vibrant colors, is intricately crafted through advanced manufacturing techniques. The following are two of the most common manufacturing methods used to obtain corundum rough:
1. The Czochralski method involves pulling a seed crystal from molten material to create a single, sizable crystal for precision cutting.
2. In contrast, the Verneuil process melts fine powders, forming a boule on a rotating rod.
These methods meticulously replicate natural geological conditions, providing gem cutters with a consistent material to fashion into exquisite lab-made rubies and sapphires.
Uncut lab-made red ruby boules
In the world of precision gem cutting, lab-made gems such as rubies and sapphires, take the spotlight for their exceptional durability. Chemically identical to their natural counterparts, these gems boast an impressive hardness on the Mohs scale, ensuring resilience and longevity in meticulously crafted designs - all at a fraction of the price.
What is corundum?
Corundum is the crystalline mineral from which rubies and sapphires are made, whether by natural processes within the Earth, or in a lab. Specifically, rubies are classified as red corundum, while sapphires represent a diverse range of colors within the corundum spectrum, with blue being the most prevalent.
Uncut lab-made pink sapphire boule
Lab-made corundum's remarkable hardness is rated at 9 on the Mohs scale (second only to diamonds). This extraordinary resilience to abrasion becomes your jewelry's hidden strength, ensuring it withstands the rigors of everyday wear, preserving its captivating beauty over time.
Uncut, ready-to-facet, lab-made ruby and sapphire pieces
In the production of lab-made corundum, dopants are skillfully incorporated to achieve a spectrum of colors.
The introduction of specific metallic oxides, such as chromium, contributes to the vibrant red hues observed in synthetic rubies. Similarly, the presence of iron and titanium leads to the diverse array of colors found in synthetic sapphires, ranging from blues to greens. These carefully selected additives play a pivotal role in replicating the natural geological conditions that produce the stunning colors seen in both natural and lab-made corundum gemstones.