Spinel is a rare and captivating gemstone, cherished for its vivid colors and brilliant sparkle. Found in shades of red, pink, blue, and violet, it has long been mistaken for ruby and sapphire, even appearing in royal crowns. With its growing popularity, spinel is finally stepping into the spotlight as one of the most fascinating gems in the world.

 

Lab Grown spinels are created with the Czochralski Method. This method involves placing a seed crystal above the melt's surface. When it contacts the melt, the seed is rotated and slowly lifted at a controlled speed. Heat reduction through the crystal, while maintaining the melt temperature, causes gradual crystallization. The crystal grows downward as it’s pulled, with synchronized pulling speed and crystallization rates ensuring a uniform, continuous crystal lattice. This method ensures precise chemical composition and optical clarity, suitable for high-end jewelry.

 

The flame fusion process, used to produce synthetic spinels, is the oldest and most cost-effective method. Powders of the required chemicals and colorants are melted in a hydrogen flame and dripped onto a seed crystal. Crystallization occurs where the molten drops contact the seed, forming round single-crystal boules. This method produces vibrant spinels at a fraction of the cost, suitable for mass-market jewelry.