How are synthetic emeralds grown?
Synthetic emeralds were first produced in 1848. Commercial production did not start until the 1940’s. Chatham produced about 50,000 carats a year with about 10% being of gem quality. Crystal growing is more of an art than science with variable success rate. Presently there is production in the U. S., Japan, Australia, China, and Russia. Most of these producers either have patent protection or keep it as a trade secret. There are two types of techniques that are used for the production of synthetic emerald. The main technique is called flux-melt growth. There is an oven which contains a heater to set up a temperature gradient and a platinum crucible which contains the source material ( beryl plus colorant) and a flux of a lithium molybdate or vanadate. Seed crystals are placed in the upper portion of the crucible. The apparatus is heated to about 800 degrees Celsius for a period of between 8 to 10 months. There is also a hydrothermal process which uses an autoclave ( essentially a stron
