Synthetics

Opal Synthetics is a lab-created opal material with the same chemical composition and physical properties as natural opal. It has the same play-of-color appearance and but non durable. Sometimes it can even be more beautiful than natural opal but upon the continuous use of it. its play of color disappears. 

SYNTHETICS IN OPAL 

In the early 1973, the Gilson Company developed a three-step process to make convincing synthetic opal. First, microscopic spheres of silica are created through precipitation. Next, the spheres settle in acidic water for more than a year. Finally, a hydrostatic press consolidates the spheres without distorting the stacked arrangement that creates opal’s play-of-color.

Gilson white, crystal and black ‘synthetic’ opals gradually improved the visual appearance of these opals while the distinctive ‘lizard skin’ appearance of this synthetic opal has never been removed, it is often cunningly disguised by cutting cabochons at an angle to their basic columnar structures.

These synthetic opals are sometimes seen in the market and to the unpracticed eye may appear to be highly valuable but actually it is not as valuable as compared to the natural.

The main difference between gilson opal vs real opal is the the real opal is natural and mined from australian mines and guarunteed effective in astrology. on the other hand, the gilson opal is made by human in the laboratory and not at all effective. You can always find the real opals on our website www.aakarshanopal.com