SYNTHETIC | YEAR OF INITIAL USE | PEAK OF ANNUAL PRODUCTION (IN CARATS) | YEAR OF PEAK |
Sapphire | After 1905 | unknown | unknown |
Spinel | About 1920 | unknown | unknown |
Rutile | 1948 | 750,000 | 1955 |
Strontium nitrate | 1955 | 1.5 million | 1968 |
YAG | 1968 | 40 million | 1972 |
GGG | 1975 | small | 1976 |
Cubic zirconia | 1976 | 60 million | 1980-81 |