Can Parti sapphires be synthetic?

[Nicko1702]

Hi all,
I read somewhere that Parti sapphires are not able to be reproduced synthetically because synthetic processes distribute color patterns fairly uniform throughout the boule. Is this true?
I know that some old Verneil methods tend to include a thin layer of color evenly distributed, which allows them to be efficient with their raw resources. In these cases, either the tip or the table are blue and the rest of the stone tends to be colorless. Even in these stones, they do not show the same types or color patterns and zoning as natural parti sapphires.

I ask to help determine if one can easily identify parti sapphires as having natural origins to determine how I should look for good color patterns that are not uniform.

Has anyone else heard of similar "rules of thumb" for sapphires?

OF course it's always good to get a jeweler's professional eye, but as a novice jewelry maker and an avid collector, I like to study these these things myself.

 

[arkieb1]

Parti sapphires - Abrecht Bird Jewellers

Parti sapphires are as beautiful as they are individual with a mix of yellow and blue, each stone is unique. Create your own piece today 03 9650 3830

abrecht.com.au

All the literature says that Parti sapphires come from Australia (I'm an Aussie) I've seen real not created Parti or multi coloured sapphires from Sri Lanka, Madagascar and from Asia so that part isn't true I think they are just more common from places like Inverell in Australia than everywhere else.

I've never seen a mutli coloured synthetic boule (the things they cut synthetic sapphires from), but some of the cutters that come here that go to all the big gemshows probably have more to add.

 

[Arcadian]

Any sapphire can be synthetic. If you're ever unsure about a stone, ask if its been tested by an independent lab.

 

[PrecisionGem]

Yes, they have parti colored flame fusion sapphire. I have seen them red and yellow and blue and red. Almost bought a piece this year but decided against it.

 

[Bron357]

Yes synthetic parti sapphires exist but arent “main stream”, As @PrecisionGem indicated the colours in the synthetics are more “out there” whereas the main colours in natural parti’s are yellow and greenish blue, sometimes with stronger green or more true blue with clear as well. Typically they are Australian.
Doug from Bespoke Gems here in Australia cuts a lot of partis and they are unique and beautiful.

 

[MeowMeow]

Yes synthetic parti sapphires exist but arent “main stream”, As @PrecisionGem indicated the colours in the synthetics are more “out there” whereas the main colours in natural parti’s are yellow and greenish blue, sometimes with stronger green or more true blue with clear as well. Typically they are Australian.
Doug from Bespoke Gems here in Australia cuts a lot of partis and they are unique and beautiful.

Wat! Omg. I need these to become more mainstream! Parti sapphires are my favourite. Guess I need to just keep waiting a few more years!

 

[lovedogs]

Yes synthetic parti sapphires exist but arent “main stream”, As @PrecisionGem indicated the colours in the synthetics are more “out there” whereas the main colours in natural parti’s are yellow and greenish blue, sometimes with stronger green or more true blue with clear as well. Typically they are Australian.
Doug from Bespoke Gems here in Australia cuts a lot of partis and they are unique and beautiful.

Also the ones I've seen have a much clearer delineation between colors (almost a split half look) vs natural parti stones which have the colors in zones but not as separated.

 

[Nicko1702]

Thanks so much all!!