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Artificial products / Manufactured products · Artificial product type · Synthetic product
Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire
Lab-grown corundum whose colour must fall within the padparadscha colour range defined by LMHC IS#4; the qualifier must be equally prominent. This page compares how the major standards and institutions name it, what must be disclosed when selling it, whether it can be worn every day, how it is treated and identified, and which source each conclusion comes from.
Price, rarity and origin are outside the scope of this wiki.
What this page can answer
This page covers
- How Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire forms and what gives its colourFormation setting, process and timescale; where its colour and optical effects come from, each finding graded and sourced
- How to identify Synthetic Padparadscha SapphireIdentification points from the research literature
- Hardness, density and refractive index of Synthetic Padparadscha SapphireEach value with its source and check date
- Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire in English, Chinese and Japanese; national standard namesNames in four languages, the GB/T standard name and the suggested listing name; and: Has any of GIA, FTC, CIBJO or Gem-A put a name for it on record here?
- Listing and disclosing Synthetic Padparadscha SapphireThe listing name to use; what must be disclosed before sale
What we cannot conclude
- Whether one particular bead is natural, treated or synthetic — only a laboratory report can settle that.
- Geographic origin, unless an origin report accompanies the item.
- Price, rarity or investment value: this wiki covers naming and disclosure only.
Material research: formation, causes and history
What authoritative sources say about how this material forms, what causes its colour and optical effects, where its name comes from and how people have used it. Each statement carries an evidence grade and its sources; it describes the material in general, not any specific piece.
How it forms
Synthetic padparadscha is laboratory-grown corundum in the padparadscha (pinkish-orange) color range, not a natural deposit product. It is produced by crystal-growth methods (such as the Verneuil flame-fusion or Czochralski technique) with chromophore-bearing compounds doped into the nutrient to give the target color; corundum (Al2O3) is allochromatic — pure corundum is colorless — and its color comes from trace chromophores. The pinkish-orange of natural padparadscha corresponds to the combined action of the Cr3+ and h•-Cr3+ (trapped hole paired with Cr3+) chromophores in corundum; synthetic material obtains that color range by doping the relevant chromophores and controlling growth.
Scope: Applies to explaining the laboratory preparation of synthetic padparadscha (crystal growth + doping with colouring elements) and the origin of its pinkish-orange colour; does not cover natural mineralisation and is not applicable to natural padparadscha sapphire.
Sources G&G Fall 2017 · G&G Fall 2023
Where it forms
Flame-fusion (Verneuil) furnace: chromophore-doped alumina powder is melted in an oxy-hydrogen flame to grow corundum crystals.
Sources G&G Fall 2017 · G&G Fall 2023
Czochralski technique: single corundum crystals are pulled from a crucible melt on a seed (used for research and synthetic gems).
Sources G&G Fall 2017 · G&G Fall 2023
Not a natural deposit setting: this material is laboratory-synthesized and involves no natural ore-forming environment.
Sources G&G Fall 2017 · G&G Fall 2023
How it forms, step by step
Alumina is the nutrient, and chromophore-bearing compounds (such as chromium oxide, with iron or titanium as needed) are added to produce the target color.
Corundum single crystals are grown by the Verneuil (flame-fusion) method or the Czochralski technique.
The crystal is made to fall in the pinkish-orange padparadscha color range; this color corresponds to the combined action of the Cr3+ and h•-Cr3+ chromophores in corundum (a conclusion from natural-corundum color research).
The crystal is faceted into gems; laboratory growth features (such as curved growth layering and gas bubbles) help distinguish it from natural material.
Link to appearance
The pinkish-orange padparadscha hue corresponds to the combined action of the Cr3+ and h•-Cr3+ chromophores in corundum; synthetic material obtains this hue by doping the relevant chromophores and controlling growth.
Sources G&G Spring 2020
Timescale
The available authoritative sources give no crystal-growth or annealing duration for synthetic padparadscha, nor any absolute timescale.
Sources G&G Fall 2017 · G&G Fall 2023
Related base materials
- Padparadscha sapphire: synthetic-counterpart-of | Laboratory-grown synthetic counterpart of padparadscha sapphire (a restricted pinkish-orange colour range)
- Synthetic corundum / synthetic sapphire: is-a | Synthetic sapphires falling within the padparadscha pinkish-orange colour range
Supporting findings
Synthetic (laboratory-grown) corundum is produced by crystal-growth methods (such as Verneuil flame-fusion or the Czochralski technique) and its color is controlled by doping with chromophores.
Evidence grade AScope: Method evidence comes from authoritative accounts of synthetic corundum (Cr/Fe-doped, Ni-doped and Czochralski-grown samples); 'synthetic padparadscha' is a descriptive application of that color range.
Causes of colour and optical effects
The pinkish-orange color of padparadscha is created by the combined action of the Cr3+ and h•-Cr3+ chromophores in corundum.
Evidence grade AScope: The color conclusion comes from quantitative study of natural corundum color; synthetic material obtains the range by doping the relevant chromophores.
How it is identified
The colour of synthetic padparadscha (synthetic orange-pink sapphire) resembles natural padparadscha, so the eye cannot separate them, and synthetic features usually need magnification or instruments to detect. Identification relies on laboratory testing: microscopic examination shows internal features such as curved growth striations, gas bubbles, or flux residues, and UV-visible and infrared spectroscopy together with trace-element analysis such as LA-ICP-MS help judge synthetic status; the colour cause and synthetic status must be concluded by an accredited laboratory, and this entry provides no self-test threshold.
Evidence grade AScope: Safety boundary: appearance and colour are insufficient to decide synthetic status; determination requires testing by an accredited laboratory, and this entry gives no self-test threshold.
Origin determination concerns natural material, whereas synthetic padparadscha is a man-made synthetic stone, to which natural origin determination does not apply. For such material the treated or synthetic status must itself first be established by an accredited laboratory using instrumental testing; until then an origin discussion is meaningless. Origin cannot be inferred from appearance or name; and even where some natural material is involved, any origin claim must be issued by an accredited laboratory for a specific specimen. No self-test criteria are given here.
Evidence grade AScope: Origin cannot be inferred from appearance or name; natural origin determination does not apply to this material and its treated/synthetic status must first be established by a laboratory; any conclusion must be issued by an accredited laboratory for a specific specimen; no self-test criteria are given here.
Other research findings
Corundum (Al2O3) is allochromatic: pure corundum is colorless and transparent, and color comes from trace impurities (chromophores) or other point defects incorporated during growth or later equilibration.
Evidence grade AScope: The general mechanism for corundum color; synthetic material introduces chromophores deliberately by doping.
Synthetic corundum can be distinguished from natural corundum by laboratory growth features (such as sequential curved growth layers and gas bubbles).
Evidence grade AScope: Features are from observations of Verneuil-grown asteriated synthetic corundum, as a representative example of synthetic-vs-natural criteria.
Limits of this research
- Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
- The cited sources discuss corundum color, synthetic star corundum and synthetic/natural yellow sapphire; they give no dedicated production record for 'synthetic padparadscha', whose method and color cause are synthesized from these authoritative sources.
- The cited sources give no crystal-growth or annealing duration for synthetic padparadscha.
- The color-range definition of natural padparadscha is set by other authoritative standards (e.g. CIBJO), which the cited sources do not cover.
Methodology
- Origin determination and its limits
- Quality grading and value factors
- How gemmology became a technical discipline
Evidence grades
- A
- Standards bodies, government geological surveys, peer-reviewed research and museum records
- B
- Institutional educational material
- C
- Specialist databases or cautious readings
A statement is never graded above its strongest source.
This section is LumaLark's own factual restatement of public authoritative sources, credited item by item; it contains no verbatim excerpts, images or third-party logos.
DecideListing name, disclosure, care and treatments
- Suggested listing name
- Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire
16 CFR Part 23 §23.25(b), §23.27 · LMHC Information Sheet #4 IS#4 “Corundum - Padparadscha sapphire definition” Definition
This page cannot answer
Natural? · Origin · Price
A lab report settles these; this wiki covers naming and disclosure.
Related:What this page can answer
Answer at a glance
"Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire" is a market name rather than a mineral species name; before using it, verify: Not a mineral: man-made or non-mineral material.
Evidence
What this means for you
Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire" and any disclosed treatments on this page, and ask the seller for a grading report if in doubt.
Known uncertainty
- This entry's exact material identity is not fully settled.
- See “Disclosure and cautions” above
- Last reviewed
- 2026-09-01
Trade-name ruling
- Not a mineral: man-made or non-mineral material.
- Suggested listing name
- Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire
VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources
Names
Standard and listing namesThe suggested listing name for Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire is Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire. The corresponding national-standard name is synthetic sapphire, based on GB/T 16552—2017, and the name itself is not listed in the original. Trade and mineralogical namesThe mineralogical name is laboratory-grown corundum in the padparadscha colour range. Institution usageAmong GIA, FTC, CIBJO and Gem-A, the FTC and CIBJO texts contain no wording for this name (checked), while GIA and Gem-A are unchecked; bodies without a recorded wording show the entry's own English name, Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire, which does not represent their position. Japanese namesThe entry has its own Japanese name, and the wording used by GSJ (Japan) for it is not yet verified by this site. Names in four languagesNames are given in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English (Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire) and Japanese.
- GSJ (Japan) formal name
- 合成パパラチャ (not yet checked for this body — the entry's own Japanese name is shown)
- GB/T naming counterpart (this name is not in the standard)
- 合成蓝宝石 (GB/T 16552—2017 §5.1.3.1 a))
- Mineralogical name
- Laboratory-grown corundum in the padparadscha colour range
Four-language names
- 简体中文
- 合成帕帕拉恰
- 繁體中文
- 合成帕帕拉恰
- English
- Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire
- 日本語
- 合成パパラチャ
See also: Misleading and prohibited trade names · Supplementary name index
Classification
- Origin
- Artificial products / Manufactured products
- Material domain
- Artificial products / Manufactured products
- Browsing family
- Synthetic gem products
- Identity tier
- Artificial product type
- Mineral chemical class
- Mixed / composition-dependent
- Construction or treatment status
- Synthetic product
What it is and how it's identified
Among the registered material facts for Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire, structural, durability, physical and optical items take the values for synthetic sapphire as a whole class and are not measurements of Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire alone. For synthetic sapphire as a whole: the structure is crystalline, trigonal, with flame-fusion producing pear-shaped boules and flux and hydrothermal crystals being tabular; Mohs hardness is 9 and cleavage none; density is 3.95–4.1 g/cm³ (clause value 4.00, derived with a tolerance of +0.10/−0.05). For synthetic sapphire as a whole, optical character is anisotropic, uniaxial negative; refractive index is 1.757–1.779 (clause value 1.762–1.770, derived with a tolerance of +0.009/−0.005); birefringence is 0.008–0.01. For synthetic sapphire as a whole, pleochroism in the untreated state covers blue, green, colour-change, pink, orangish yellow and other types, and lustre is vitreous; chatoyancy can be seen but is rare, and asterism and colour change can be seen. Chemical composition, fluorescence, UV-visible spectrum, infrared spectrum and magnification are written for synthetic sapphire as a whole class; see the Synthetic Sapphire entry.
Registered material facts
Each row carries its own source and check date and can be cited on its own; “—” means the cited source gives no value, not “none”.
Chemical composition, luminescence, UV-visible spectrum, infrared spectrum, magnification: these whole-class features are given in the cited clause for synthetic sapphire (the whole class), so they are not repeated on the Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire page; see the material facts on the Synthetic Sapphire entry.
Items below that name the class they cover give the cited clause’s value for that whole class, not a measurement of Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire (how to read class-level values).
Structure
Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire — structure (overall): crystalline
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic sapphire (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.3 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire — structure (crystal system): trigonal
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic sapphire (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.3 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire — structure (crystal habit): pear-shaped boules (flame fusion); plates (flux melt and hydrothermal growth).
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic sapphire (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.3 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Durability
Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire — Mohs hardness: 9
GB/T 16553—2017
Reference points on this site: Talc 1–3, Fluorite 4, Apatite 5–5.5, Orthoclase 6–6.5, Topaz 8, Diamond 10 (Source: GB/T 16553—2017); Gypsum 1.5–2, Calcite 3, Quartz 7 (Source: Handbook of Mineralogy); Corundum 9 (Source: GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide))
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic sapphire (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.3 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire — cleavage: none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic sapphire (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.3 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Physical properties
Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire — density: 3.95–4.1 g/cm³
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic sapphire (the whole class)
- Qualification
The clause we cite gives 4.00, with a stated tolerance of +0.10 / -0.05. The range shown here is worked out from that.
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.3 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Optical
Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire — optic character: uniaxial, optically negative (anisotropic)
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic sapphire (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.3 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire — refractive index: 1.757–1.779
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic sapphire (the whole class)
- Qualification
The clause we cite gives 1.762–1.770, with a stated tolerance of +0.009 / -0.005. The range shown here is worked out from that.
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.3 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire — birefringence: 0.008–0.01
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic sapphire (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.3 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire — pleochroism: blue: blue and green-blue; green: green and yellow-green; colour-change material: purple and purple-blue; pink: pink and pink-red; orange-yellow: yellow and orange-yellow.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic sapphire (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.3 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire — optical effect (chatoyancy): seen; uncommon
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic sapphire (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.3 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire — optical effect (asterism): seen
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic sapphire (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.3 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire — optical effect (colour change): seen
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic sapphire (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.3 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
- CIBJO definitions
- chatoyancy, asterism, colour change
Quality factors
Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire — quality factor (lustre): vitreous
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- What this covers
- synthetic sapphire (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.3 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
This material (RI / SG midpoints): 1.768 / 4.03; Closest values: 1Rhodolite 1.755 / 3.9, 2Almandine 1.79 / 3.9, 3Grossular 1.745 / 3.9, 4Tsavorite 1.74 / 3.9, 5Spessartine 1.802 / 3.9
Show the full chart (330 registered materials)
Outside the full chart's range, drawn as triangles at the edge (RI / SG midpoints): Hematite 3.045/5.12, Synthetic Rutile 2.76/4.26, Rutile 2.753/4.23, Synthetic Moissanite 2.67/3.22
Evidence and sources
Authority basis and clause sources
Sources
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. Gemmological Laboratories Book (Blue Book), Gemmological Commission 2024-1.
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. The Gemstone Book (Blue Book), 2022.
- SAMR / SAC (China). GB/T 16552—2017 Gems — Nomenclature.
- GIA – Gemological Institute of America (United States). Gem Encyclopedia.
- eCFR (United States). 16 CFR Part 23 — Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries.
- LMHC – Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee. Information Sheets.
- Federal Trade Commission (United States). In the Loupe: Advertising Diamond, Gemstones and Pearls.
- LMHC – Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee. Information Sheet #4: Corundum – Padparadscha sapphire definition and report wording, version 11, May 2025.
- eCFR (United States). 16 CFR § 23.25 — Misuse of the words “ruby,” “sapphire,” “emerald,” “topaz,” “stone,” “birthstone,” “gem,” “gemstone,” etc. In: 16 CFR Part 23 — Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries.
Further reading
Related entries and topic cluster
Parent entry and related pages on this site. Rows marked “Planned” are suggested new content and have no link yet.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Page | Content | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Browsing family | Synthetic gem products | Live |
| Related articles | To be added (placeholder) | Planned |
Who maintains this page
The material facts in the Synthetic Padparadscha Sapphire entry are maintained by the LumaLark wiki and matched one by one to the standard clauses or institutional sources they cite: every fact carries its source (with a clause or page locator) and a check date, so it can be traced back to the original. The entry exists so that buyers and sellers can check naming, disclosure and material facts item by item.