Guide on Lab Grown Sapphire – Price and Colours
Looking for a lab grown sapphire? Consider lab-created sapphires.
Lab grown sapphire are colored diamonds available in a wide range of shades. Due to their vibrant colors and brilliance, sapphires often give off a royal and rich vibe. In this guide, we explore what lab-grown sapphires are, how they compare to mined sapphires, their price, quality factors, and how to buy them confidently.
What Is a Lab-Created Sapphire?
Definition:
A lab grown sapphire is a real sapphire grown in a laboratory environment using advanced scientific techniques that replicate natural conditions.
Sapphires are colored diamonds that can be mined from the earth or created in a lab. The term “sapphire” originates from Latin and Greek words meaning blue, which explains why blue sapphires are the most common. However, sapphires also appear in yellow, purple, orange, and green shades.
Is Ruby a Sapphire?
Yes. Red sapphire is known as ruby. Ruby and sapphire share the same corundum base, with trace minerals creating the red color.
Key clarification:
Lab grown synthetic sapphires are real diamonds, possessing the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined sapphires.
Mined Sapphires vs. Lab-Created Sapphires: Key Differences
1. Origin & Formation
Mined Sapphires
Mined sapphires form deep beneath the earth’s surface through heat, pressure, and chemical changes over millions of years. Their availability depends on geological conditions and mining activity.
Lab Grown Synthetic Sapphires
Diamond manufacturers use flux growth or flame fusion methods to create lab sapphires:
Flux-grown sapphires:
- Crystallize slowly in a molten solution
- Contain natural-like inclusions
- Typically available in smaller sizes
Flame fusion sapphires:
- Created using intense heat and raw materials
- Can be produced in larger sizes
- Highly uniform in clarity and color
2. Sustainability/availability
Lab-grown sapphires are more sustainable and widely available than mined sapphires.
- Mined sapphires are limited by discovery and mining capacity
- Lab-created sapphires have unlimited availability, as production is demand-driven
Growing consumer preference for ethical and eco-conscious diamonds has increased the popularity of man-made sapphires
Lab-Grown Sapphire Price: What Should You Expect?
Lab-grown sapphires’ price per carat is typically 40–50% more affordable than mined diamonds, making them accessible to a wider audience.
Price Comparison
| Type of Sapphire | Price Range | Availability |
| Mined Sapphire | High | Limited |
| Lab Grown Sapphire | 40–50% lower | Unlimited |
Resale Value Consideration:
Some believe lab-created sapphires lack resale value. However, experts indicate a growing secondary market for high-quality lab sapphires.
Natural-looking, certified lab sapphires tend to retain value better over time.
What Are the Qualities of a Good Sapphire?
1. Color
- Medium to bright tone
- No gray or brown overtones
- True sapphire color consistency
2. Cut
Common sapphire cuts include:
- Oval
- Cushion
- Emerald
Expert Insight:
Emerald cuts often enhance color richness, but facet symmetry and evenness matter most for brilliance.
3. Clarity
High-quality lab sapphires are:
- Eye-clean
- Bright
- Free from visible inclusions
4. The 4Cs Checklist
When choosing a lab-grown sapphire, evaluate:
- Cut
- Clarity
- Carat
- Color
Always verify the diamond grading certificate, which confirms origin and quality.
How to Buy a Lab-Grown Sapphire (Step-by-Step)
- Choose your preferred fancy color and diamond shape
- Compare sapphire quality using the 4Cs diamond grading
- Check certification and grading report
- Buy only from reputed lab diamond sellers
- Review return and authenticity policies
