Lab Created Ruby
Lab-created ruby is similar to real ruby in terms of its properties. However, only because it is created in laboratory and not by nature, it is not reckoned as natural. Lab-created ruby is also called synthetic ruby as it is made by fusing specific minerals such as titanium, vanadium, rutile, and iron in slight concentration, which create extensive variety of red-colored lab crystals. The color that is produced in this process is a result of fusing aluminum oxide and chrome, thus, producing a mineral called corundum, often referred to as ruby. It is hard to tell whether a ruby is lab-created or natural, and only a trained gemologist is able to differentiate between both. Just like lab created diamond rings, many people are found adorning ruby jewelry, especially, ruby rings that are produced in the laboratories, which look extremely beautiful, and natural too. The process of creating ruby in lab is pretty economical, and does not consume much time. Let us understand how a ruby gemstone is created in a laboratory.
How is Ruby Created in Lab?
Lab-created rubies are created in two ways; flame fusion process and flux growth process, that bring into use various types of methods to create the red crystals. In both the processes, however, basic minerals are a necessity in order to bring about the red tint that is the identity of this gemstone. In simple terms, when colorless aluminum oxide is made to fuse with chrome, ruby is created. What's more, a pinch of minerals like titanium, iron, and vanadium play a small but critical role in providing profundity and lucidity to the gemstone. The following sections describe the creation of Ruby by means of two methods: Flame Fusion process and Flux Growth process.
Flame Fusion Process
This method involves the melting of minutely pulverized alumina in a blowpipe kind of a burner containing oxy-hydrogen. It is important to bring into use extremely purified alumina that is created by persistent crystallization as well as calcination of ammonium alum. The process begins with alumina put in a container, knocked above repeatedly, and made to regulate the flow of powder. When the powder starts melting on a pedestal (rotating) through the oxy-hydrogen flame, it changes its state, and solidifies. The flame temperature is generally set between 1000 C to 2400 C. The main reason behind this is the fact that the melting point of corundum is nearly 2050 C. In this way, different corundum varieties are created with the help of adding numerous metallic oxides to the alum prior to its calcination.
Flux Growth Process
Where ruby created in a laboratory by flame fusion process takes a few hours to complete, creation of synthetic rubies by flux growth process may take up to half a year to complete. However, in this case, the crystals produced possess attributes that are highly close to those of the real ruby. Flux growth is a process in which the conditions of high heat and restrained pressure facilitate a considerable growth source to the ruby crystals. The flux that is created with the help of minerals inserted into a mixture of particular chemicals, comprises ruby crystals that are formed in straight growth planes, which is exactly similar to the creation process of natural ruby. With the inclusion of titanium, the flux grown ruby can create the star-like pattern of reflection of light, also called asterism.
Lab Created Ruby vs Natural Ruby
What is the difference between lab created and real ruby? Even though, it is hard to make out as to which is which, there are a couple of points which one needs to keep in mind while buying ruby.
- To start with, a real ruby has that aesthetic look bestowed upon it by nature. However, gemologists make the color appear as they're expected to look into. On the other hand, lab-created ruby will be flawless, and will have no inclusions or flaws that a natural ruby has.
- Secondly, the mineral composition, the heat, and the pressure can be effectively controlled while making a ruby in the lab, which is not possible in the case of a natural ruby.
- It is rather astonishing to know that the prices of natural ruby go high solely because of its inclusions which are a proof of its purity. However, the rates of lab-created ruby may vary in context of its method of creation as well as the quantity and quality of minerals used.
- Lastly, ruby that is created in a lab may, sometimes, look fake as too much of perfection doesn't always seem favorable.
