Synthetic gems have the same chemical, optical, and physical properties of their natural counterparts, but are a more cost-effective alternative to a natural gem. The molten powder repeatedly falls from the flame onto a rotating pedestal, creating a synthetic crystal, called a boule, which can later be faceted into a gemstone. Powdered chemicals (the building blocks of the gem) are dropped through a high-temperature flame. The flame fusion process for creating gems, also called the Verneuil process, is the most affordable and common synthesis method for producing corundum (ruby and sapphire) and spinel.

When two or more intersecting bands appear, a star pattern is formed. As the amount of chromium increases in the corundum, the shade of pink deepens as well. These striking pink marvels are generally found in Burma or Sri Lanka.

Light that strikes the inclusions within the gem reflects off of the inclusions, creating a narrow band of light. Fancy Pink Sapphire After the blue and Padparadscha, the fancy pink sapphire ranks third in popularity for its prized hot pink hue. Synthetic star sapphire exhibits the optical phenomenon called asterism, a star-like pattern created on the surface of a gemstone when light encounters parallel fibrous, or needle-like, inclusions within its crystal structure.

Pink sapphire gemstone