GIA Finds Lab-Growns, Simulant in Parcel of ‘Natural’ Sapphires
It offered a look at how synthetics and simulants “can be mixed with their natural counterparts to misrepresent a parcel,” the lab said.

According to a lab note written by Najmeh Anjomani in GIA’s Summer 2022 Gems & Gemology issue, its Carlsbad lab recently received four rough blue stones submitted as natural sapphires for identification and origin reports.
The largest weighed 48.63 carats. It was partially fashioned, GIA said, with evidence of polish lines on its surface.
Examination under a microscope revealed gas bubbles, distinct flow marks, and conchoidal fractures, while the polariscope revealed weak snake pattern bands. Its hydrostatic specific gravity (SG) was 2.48.
All these observations together suggested a glass imitation, GIA said, which was confirmed by comparing the infrared spectrum with that of man-made glass.
Two of the other submitted blue stones, weighing 9.17 carats and 6.21 carats, were “more convincing imitations of natural sapphire,” GIA said.

There was a resin coating their surfaces that resembled a matrix commonly seen on natural rough corundum. GIA said the resin started to melt when touched with a hot point.
And though their rough surfaces made it difficult to see inside the stones, GIA was able to observe a few gas bubbles through a transparent area.
It also performed Raman spectroscopy, the results of which matched corundum, and immersed the stones in water, revealing curved blue banding.
GIA said laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) revealed trace elements matching synthetic corundum. SG values were found to be 3.76 and 3.59, respectively, both of which are below the SG of corundum (3.9-4.05) and are a result of the lower SG of the surface resin.
The lab issued reports for both identifying them as lab-grown sapphires.
Finally, the fourth rough blue stone submitted weighed 8.46 carats.
It had a “frosted” natural surface that made it hard to see inside, but GIA said it was able to observe some natural-looking fingerprints and strong, straight “inky” blue banding.
The lab immersed the stone in methylene iodide to confirm the color zoning it saw was straight, an indication of a natural origin.
The Raman spectrum matched that of corundum, further confirmed by SG of 3.96.
GIA put the stone under shortwave UV and saw a medium chalky blue fluorescence.
LA-ICP-MS revealed a natural chemistry, including iron and trace elements such as gallium, vanadium, magnesium, chromium, and titanium.
Given its appearance, color zoning, and chemistry, the stone was identified as a natural sapphire, with its report noting it had been heated and was of Madagascar origin.
Anjomani said in the lab note that the four submitted stones provided an “interesting study of how synthetics and simulants can be mixed with their natural counterparts to misrepresent a parcel.”
The author noted, however, that “careful examination and standard gemological testing are usually enough to identify them correctly.”
The Latest

Plus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.

Peter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.

The necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show


A private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.

The designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.

Around 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.

The event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.

Before Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.

The one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.

While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.

The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.

The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.

The donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.

Located in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.

The nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.

BIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.

As a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.

The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.

Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.

“Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.

The deadline to submit is June 16.

Moti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.

Lichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.