Methods of producing synthetic stones

Flame fusion synthetic ruby and sapphire of different colours. Usually, modern flame fusion is very clean and gemologists would look for curved colour or striation growth marks. FLAME FUSION METHOD synthetic ruby, synthetic sapphire, synthetic colourchange sapphire and synthetic spinel Inclusions Curved striation, curved colour banding and gas bubbles Synthetic ruby and sapphire produced by this method have all the properties of their natural counterparts and inclusions sometimes make identification problematic. FLUX METHOD synthetic ruby, synthetic sapphire, synthetic colourchange sapphire and synthetic spinel Inclusions Flux residues, twisted wispy veil, platinum platelets and zigzag growth pattern inclusions Hydrothermal grown synthetic bi-colour quartz (below left) and synthetic ruby (below right) and synthetic emerald HYDROTHERMAL METHOD synthetic amethyst, synthetic citrine, synthetic bi-colour quartz, colourless quartz, synthetic emerald, synthetic ruby Inclusions Nail-head spicule, chevron growth pattern and wispy veil inclusions Imitation amber with a modern ant embedded (magnification 10x) POLYMER of yellow, brown and white imitating natural amber Inclusions Gas bubbles, flow patterns like natural amber that imitate modern insects and sun spangle effect by heating polymer. One feature of the polymer is the acrid odour when burnt, whereas natural amber emits a pinelike smell.