Flux growth is a way to grow synthetic crystals from a chemical solvent (flux). Crystals form as the hot solution slowly cools.
In more detail
It is used for synthetic emerald, ruby, sapphire, alexandrite and spinel. Growth can take up to a year. Flux remains can form fingerprint-like patterns that look like natural ones. Platinum platelets from the crucible show that a stone is synthetic.
On a grading report
Labs report the stone as laboratory-grown (synthetic).
Related terms
- Synthetic gemstone: A synthetic gemstone is made in a laboratory and has essentially the same chemistry and properties as the natural gem. A synthetic ruby is ruby, made by people.
- Flame fusion: Flame fusion grows synthetic crystals by dropping fine powder through a very hot flame. The melted drops build up a crystal on a pedestal below.
- Hydrothermal growth: Hydrothermal growth makes synthetic crystals in a hot water solution under high pressure.
- Fingerprint: A fingerprint is a pattern of tiny fluid or glassy drops left where a crack inside the crystal healed. It often looks like a human fingerprint.
- Emerald: Emerald is the green to bluish green variety of the mineral beryl. Chromium, vanadium or both cause its color.