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Lab warns of synthetic red spinel

November 07, 2008

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Basel, Switzerland—With fine-quality red spinels now appearing on the market, synthetics are following in their wake, according to an alert issued by the SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute in its October newsletter.

"During and after the Hong Kong Jewellery Fair in September, the SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute has received several red spinels for testing, which were found to be flux synthetic spinels," the newsletter from the Basel, Switzerland-based lab said. "These spinels apparently have been offered in Bangkok in the last few weeks."

Traditional gemological methods cannot be used to distinguish flux-grown synthetic spinel from natural spinel as the specific gravity and the refractive indexes of the stones are the same and the spectrum looks the same in a spectroscope, according to the lab's findings. Even the rough crystals have the same appearance.

The lab said some indications that the stones are synthetic may be revealed under a microscope. Flux synthetic spinels generally show only a few inclusions, mainly jagged flux residue, metallic flakes and small, parallel hollow channels. By comparison, natural red spinel is often very included with healed fissures consisting of octahedral negative crystals.

Chemical and Raman analysis usually helps to distinguish between the two if microscopic evidence is not enough, the lab said.

For more information, see the full study.
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