GemResearch Swisslab (GRS) Specializing in Origin Determination of Fine Rubies and Sapphires

Chart 1 and Chart 2: Internationally first chemical analyses of the sapphires heated with new heating technique producing colorless rims.
Section across a heated sapphire showing a colorless rim analyzed by LA-ICP-MS. Selected chemical elements are graphically shown (in ppm). Note that no abrupt changes occur from the core towards the rim (Chart 1 & Chart 2). The typical chemical elements of a natural sapphire are present (Ti,V, Mg, Fe, Ga), both in the core and the rim in similar concentrations. No detection of additional light elements such as Boron (B), Beryllium (Be) and Lithium (Li) are found. Chemical variations are mostly related to growth zoning in the parent natural sapphire material.