Lab Created Opals
Opals, unlike many other precious stones, aren’t a type of crystal at all but a mineraloid which is typically found in the crevices and fissures of stones. Most true opals come from Australia, with only about 3% of them coming from other areas of the world. Naturally white in color, opals can reflect and refract all of the colors of the rainbow. People wear both genuine and lab created opals in all different types of jewelry today.
Opals are the birthstone of those born under the sun sign of Libra, and were once considered very good luck because they can show all the colors of all the other gemstones. It was during the 19th century after the publication of a novel by Sir Walter Scott that opals were believed to fall out of favor. Because a character in his novel dies after wearing an opal, many people started to associate them with bad luck. Russians often associated them with the evil eye, and many others believed them to be good luck if given as a gift but bad luck if purchased for themselves.
In the 21st century these types of superstitions have greatly disappeared. Of those who still hold to them, few likely believe that lab created opal jewelry would contain the same significance as genuine opals. Lab created opals have only been around since 1974 but are popular today because they make opal jewelry more affordable for more people. Lab created opal beads and rings are popular, as are pendants and opals set in other types of accessories.
Lab Created Opals versus Imitation Opals
Lab created opal rings and other jewelry could contain synthetic opals or they could contain something more accurately termed an imitation or fake opal. While both are not genuine opals and are created in a laboratory, there are some distinct differences. Lab created opals are created based upon the sphere structure of a genuine opal with a mimicking of the natural processes. Unlike the genuine stones, lab creation won’t have the irregularity and flaws found in nature.
Imitation or fake opals, on the other hand, will contain elements that would not be found in the natural opal like plastic and other stabilizers. These are often much less expensive and much less brilliant. Many are created using foiled glass and some are even mostly plastic. They won’t refract light properly or contain the true spectrum of colors that a genuine or a lab created opal will.
Because genuine and lab created opals can be milky white and can reflect an entire range of colors, they can be worn with a variety of different colors and styles, and are perfect for every occasion and season.