Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
G&G, Winter 2010 SYNTHETIC GEM MATERIALS IN THE 2000S: A DECADE IN REVIEW describes:
Quote:
A synthetic apatite with a color change from purple pink in incandescent light to violetish blue in fluorescent light was reported by McClure (2001). While most of the gemological properties were consistent with natural apatite, suspicion arose from an unusual spectrum (seen with a desk-model spectroscope) that was different from natural material. EDXRF analysis showed that the synthetic apatite contained a significant amount of neodymium and a small amount of strontium. Magnification revealed chevron-type growth and elongated gas bubbles, features that strongly supported a synthetic origin. While synthetic apatite is an oddity in the gem world, it has previously been reported for laser applications (Koivula et al., 1992).
Since this was the only stone reported by the GIA in the decade, I don't think it is commercially available. Secondly the additives neodymium and strontium would technically classify it as an artificial product.
Joined: Thu Dec 13, 2007 3:42 pm Posts: 4091 Location: the Netherlands
Dang... I have that issue and can even remember reading that article... A cold day, -10°C degrees, 40cm of snow and me defrosting in the tub with a G&G... hehehe... Good times... It didn't stick though
Joined: Mon May 23, 2011 2:06 am Posts: 22 Location: Lyon - France
Here is what I found concerning this artificial gemstone, very close to synthetic apatite except for color and SG: - Color: light blue under sunlight and light pink under incandescent light - RI: 1.628-1.632 - Bir. (DR): 0.004 - Hardness: ≈5 - SG: 3.82 - LWUV: inert - SWUV: moderate white The chemical formula of this artificial gemstone is Sr3Ca2(PO4)3F:Nd3+ The color change effect is caused by 1% Nd.
Joined: Mon May 23, 2011 2:06 am Posts: 22 Location: Lyon - France
EUR 15.-/ct - around $21.-/ct These synthetic/artificial gems are quite difficult to get because they are primarily manufactured for laser applications. I was lucky to know someone who knew someone who knew someone (...) who works in one of these french laboratories that manufacture these crystals (Czochralski process). I had many other exotic synthetic/artifical gemstones like this in the past (CaF2, YSO, Litanite, Linobate, LMA, LNA, YIG...). It's more and more difficult to get nowadays.
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