#syntheticgems

This #MineralMonday, let’s learn about synthetic gems. A synthetic gemstone is created in a lab but is the same substance as the natural gemstone.

In 1902, French chemist Auguste Verneuil announced his method for producing synthetic ruby–the first commercial synthetic gem ever created. The Verneuil process, or flame fusion, melts powdered gem material in a flame onto a rod. Other processes include pulling crystals from molten gem material, or growing them from molten mixtures with a flux from high-temperature hydrous fluid.

Photo: E. Louis/© AMNH

#NewYorkRocks #gems #minerals #SyntheticGems #amnh #NaturalHistory #jewelry #geology #jewels (at American Museum of Natural History)
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