You may have noticed lab grown sapphires appearing more often in jewelry recently. They have become a much more accessible option over the past few years, but there is still some confusion around what “lab grown” actually means. Is it the same as a natural sapphire? Does it look different? And why are more jewelry brands choosing to use them?
A lab grown sapphire is exactly what it sounds like: a sapphire grown in a lab rather than formed naturally underground. The stone itself has the same basic composition as a natural sapphire, but it comes from a different process. In this guide, we’ll look at what lab grown sapphires are, why more jewelry brands are using them, and how they compare to natural sapphires.
What Are Lab Grown Sapphires?
Lab-grown sapphires are sapphires created in a controlled environment rather than mined from the earth. They have all the same qualities you'd expect from a natural sapphire, including the colour, the shine and the durability, just made through a different process.
To create them, scientists recreate the natural conditions that form sapphires underground, using heat and pressure to grow the crystal from the same minerals found in natural stones. What normally takes nature millions of years can be done in a lab in just a few weeks.
How Long Have Lab Grown Sapphires Been Around?
The technology behind lab grown gemstones has actually been around for decades. Synthetic sapphires have been used in jewelry, watches and other applications for the majority of the last century, so the idea itself is nothing new.
What has changed over the past two to five years is how visible these stones have become in everyday jewelry. As shoppers have started asking more questions about materials and how their jewelry is made, lab grown sapphires have become a much more familiar option.
Are Lab Grown Sapphires Better Than Natural Sapphires?
That really comes down to what you want from your jewelry. A natural sapphire has its own appeal because it formed naturally beneath the earth, and for some people, that history is an important part of what makes the stone special.
A lab-grown sapphire offers something different. Being produced in a controlled environment allows for more flexibility around colour and size, making it a more accessible way to enjoy sapphire without paying the same premium that can come with a particularly rare natural stone. This accessibility leaves more room to focus on the jewelry design itself, whether you want a larger stone or simply a piece that feels right for daily wear.
If the natural process matters to you, a natural sapphire may be worth the investment. If you care more about the finished design and how you will wear it, lab grown sapphire jewelry could be a more practical choice.
Are Lab Grown Sapphires Better for the Environment?
This is one of the reasons people look into lab grown gemstones, but it's worth keeping the answer realistic. Since a lab grown sapphire isn't extracted from the earth, it can avoid some of the environmental impact that comes with traditional mining.
That said, growing a stone in a lab still takes energy and materials, and the impact varies depending on how and where that production happens. It's really just a different way of making the stone, and for some shoppers, moving away from traditional mining is an important part of that choice.
Why Do Jewelry Pieces Use Lab Grown Sapphires?
Sapphire is naturally hard and durable, making it suitable for pieces that are intended to be worn regularly. It has the presence of a gemstone without being something you need to save for special occasions.
There is also more freedom when working with a lab grown stone. The production process is controlled, allowing designers to have greater consistency when it comes to colour and size, giving them more room to build a piece around the look they want. For the person wearing it, that simply means more choice.
What Types of Lab Grown Sapphires Are There?
When most people think of sapphire, blue is probably the first colour that comes to mind. It is the classic, but sapphire can actually come in a range of colours, which gives lab grown sapphires a little more variety than you might expect. Lab grown blue sapphire is still one of the most recognisable options, with shades ranging from a softer blue to something deeper and more saturated. White lab grown sapphire is another option, with a clean, bright look that works well when you want the jewelry itself to take more of the attention.
You may also see lab grown ruby, lab grown emerald and lab grown onyx when looking at gemstone jewelry. They are not types of sapphire, but they are often mentioned alongside lab grown gemstones because they offer their own colours and finishes. Ruby is part of the same gemstone family as sapphire, while emerald and onyx are different stones altogether. A lab grown ruby brings a rich red tone, lab grown emerald is known for its green, and lab grown onyx tends to have a darker, more understated look. So when you see “lab grown,” think of it as describing how the gemstone was made, rather than the type of gemstone itself.
Are Lab Grown Sapphires Good for Everyday Jewelry?
If you are choosing a gemstone for everyday wear, it helps to think about how it will hold up over time. Sapphire is a hard gemstone, which is why it has been used in jewelry for so long. A lab grown sapphire has that same durability, making it a good option for rings, necklaces, and other pieces you plan to wear often.
That does not mean it will stay completely untouched. Jewelry picks up scratches and marks, which is completely normal. Your ring might knock against your desk or your necklace might catch on a bag, but that is part of wearing jewelry regularly. With a lab grown sapphire, you can enjoy the colour and look of the stone without feeling like you have to be overly careful with it.
Lab Grown Sapphire Jewelry at LUAH
At LUAH, we make jewelry for everyday wear, and our lab grown sapphire jewelry is designed with that in mind. The stones add a little colour without making the pieces feel too formal, so they can easily become part of your daily rotation.
If you have been looking for lab grown sapphires or want to see how they look in our designs, have a browse through the LUAH collection. You might find a piece that fits into your everyday jewelry a little more easily than you expected.
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