YAG: From Spring Green to Aqua Blues

By Gerald D. Sisk, Jr.

Co-Founder
Jewelry Television™

If you are thinking a YAG may be one of those big

furry creatures seen on the Mongolian tundra dur-
ing National Graphic specials, then you may want
to read a little farther.

YAG is actually a man-made gemstone that has

been around for quite a few years. The name is a
little strange but, truthfully, that is not unusual in
the world of gemstones.

To start with, YAG (rhymes with lag) is not referred to by the individual let-
ters. YAG is an acronym for three words--yttrium (pronounced it-tree-um),
aluminum, and garnet. As you may have noticed, that’s quite a mouthful,
so it didn’t take too long for someone to come up with a shorter term.

The name is somewhat misleading since YAG is not really a garnet. True
garnets are silicates. All six species in the garnet group contain an SiO4
molecule in their chemical formula. Let’s start with a little information on
the scientific side. YAG’s structure is similar to that of garnet, but its chemi-
cal formula is somewhat less complex. It is composed of three elements,
two of which are found in the acronym (yttrium and aluminum). The final
member of the trio is oxygen. The chemical formula is represented as
Y3Al5O12.
While the elements aluminum and oxygen are fairly well known, the rare-
earth element yttrium is not. As exotic and futuristic as its name may
sound, yttrium was discovered in 1794 and has had a long history with the
scientific community. It appears on the periodic table of elements, abbrevi-
ated with the symbol Y. It is also a vital component of the chemical for-
mula.

YAG is synthesized under controlled conditions using a melt process. In

simple terms, all the ingredients are heated in a crucible until the solids
liquefy. A rod is then inserted, pulled slowly upward and rotated. As the
rod is retracted, the material cools. A large crystal, called a boule, is formed
in this way.

YAG is different from many synthesized materials because it has no natural

counterpart. It is therefore considered an imitation gemstone, a material
that is used to simulate the appearance of other more expensive creations
of nature.

Created in the 1950s, YAG did not make its way into the jewelry trade until
many years later. Its first application was in the fields of optics and laser
technology, but many new uses have been found in recent years. When
YAG finally made its debut in the jewelry trade, it was marketed as a man-
made diamond simulant.

In its original form, YAG was colorless, or nearly so, and reasonably hard,
ranking an 8 on the Mohs scale. One of the first things jewelers noticed was
the heft.

YAG is nearly 30 percent denser than diamond (SG 4.57 to 3.51). It has a
reasonably high refractive index, but the dispersion is .028 to .044 for dia-
mond. That means YAG does not exhibit the level of fire that is so charac-
teristic of diamond. It is attractive, but not quite as lively as the king of
gemstones. It was, however, the best diamond simulant at that time.

Shortly after YAG’s introduction to the world of jewelry, cubic zirconia

came on the scene and replaced it as the simulant of choice for diamond.
CZ is slightly harder and has higher dispersion, but YAG still lives on.
Then manufacturers started experimenting with various dopants, which
are elements added in trace amounts to the “standard ingredients.” They
are used to alter certain characteristics of the material being synthesized. In
the case of YAG, dopants were added to alter color. By varying the recipe,
manufacturers could produce pastel to vibrant hues ranging from various
shades of yellow to yellow green, green to blue, pink, and even black.

One of the most popular colors, green, has been marketed as a simulant for
the green tsavorite and demantoid garnets. YAG can be a beautiful yet in-
expensive alternative to the more expensive gem-quality garnets. Blue
YAG, which is also highly popular, can rival the appearance of fine aqua.

While the popularity of YAG was initially overshadowed by the introduc-

tion of CZ into the marketplace, it has gained a great deal of momentum in
recent years. With the increased popularity of green, blue, and pink gem-
stones, the introduction of colored crystals has given YAG a new lease on
life.

Innovative styles of fashioning, calibrated shapes, durability, and an excit-

ing palette of colors have created a new and growing market for what was
once billed as only a diamond simulant.

YAG can be enjoyed for the beauty of its color and cut or set into your fa-
vorite piece of fine jewelry. Loose or mounted, YAG is a great alternative to
many of nature’s more expensive creations.

Visit us at jtv.com to browse our selection of YAG gemstones.