Lab-created opal is a synthetic material engineered to replicate the visual and physical characteristics of natural opal. It shares a similar chemical composition with its natural counterpart, primarily consisting of silica. This manufactured gemstone has gained increasing recognition across various industries due to its consistent quality and aesthetic appeal.
How Lab-Created Opal is Made
Lab-created opal is made through a precise scientific process that mimics natural geological conditions. Scientists discovered in 1964 that the “play-of-color” phenomenon in opal results from the orderly arrangement of microscopic silica spheres, providing the blueprint for synthetic production. The process begins with a solution of these tiny silica spheres, typically less than half a micron in diameter.
These spheres are then suspended in water and allowed to settle slowly, gradually stacking themselves into a highly ordered, tightly packed lattice structure. This sedimentation process can extend over several months, or even more than a year, to ensure the precise arrangement necessary for light diffraction. Once the silica structure is formed, the water is carefully removed. A polymer resin is then often infused into the porous structure to bind the spheres, enhance durability, and improve translucence, though some synthetic opals are produced without resin to be chemically identical to natural opal.
Understanding Its Unique Properties
Lab-created opal possesses distinct physical and chemical properties. Many lab-created varieties also incorporate a polymer resin, which can constitute a significant portion of the material, typically ranging from 15% to 85% of the total composition, with the remainder being silica.
The hardness of lab-created opal generally falls within a range of 4 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, comparable to or slightly softer than natural opal. This material is denser and contains less water than natural opal, which contributes to its enhanced stability. The “play-of-color” observed in lab-created opal often presents with more uniform or distinct patterns, sometimes exhibiting columnar growth or a “chicken wire” appearance when viewed under magnification. This consistent patterning can be a distinguishing feature compared to the more random formations found in natural specimens.
Primary Uses and Market Presence
Lab-created opal finds widespread application due to its consistent qualities and enhanced durability. Its most common use is in jewelry, where it is fashioned into rings, pendants, earrings, and necklaces. The material’s predictable coloration and patterns make it highly suitable for creating matching sets and intricate designs.
Beyond jewelry, lab-created opal is also utilized in decorative items, inlays for various products, and even watch dials. Its ability to be formed into different shapes and sizes makes it versatile for artistic applications, including adornments for musical instruments, vases, and art pieces. The preference for lab-created opal in these applications stems from its consistent quality, widespread availability, and cost-effectiveness compared to natural opal. Its increased resistance to chipping and cracking, often due to polymer infusion, also makes it a practical and durable choice for items intended for regular use.