Use Gem Stone Analyzer EDX9000B Plus to distinguish Natural and synthetic sapphire
There are many differences in the X-ray fluorescence spectra of natural sapphire and synthetic sapphire:
Element type difference
- Natural sapphire: usually contains trace elements such as gallium and titanium. Natural sapphires from different origins may also contain trace elements such as calcium, iron, strontium, and molybdenum.
- Synthetic sapphire: generally does not contain gallium, and its trace elements are significantly different from those of natural sapphire. It may contain chromium, nickel, copper, zirconium and other elements.
Different element content
- Natural sapphire: The content of trace elements is relatively stable, but it varies depending on the origin. For example, Australian sapphire may show high concentrations of iron.
- Synthetic sapphire: Its trace element content can be artificially controlled. Compared with natural sapphire, the content of some elements may be extremely low or even non-existent, and the overall content range is narrow.
Spectral line intensity difference
- Natural sapphire: The characteristic spectral line intensity of the trace elements it contains is relatively stable. Sapphires from different origins have different spectral line intensities due to different trace element contents and proportions.
- Synthetic sapphire: Due to the differences in synthesis processes and additives, the intensity of its characteristic spectral lines is significantly different from that of natural sapphire, and the spectral line intensity of the same batch of synthetic sapphires is relatively consistent.