Introduction
We all know opals – the gemstones that have made a name in the jewelry industry for their beautiful play of colors and iridescence. The stunning visual effect that all precious opals showcase is known as the play of colors. This is because precious opals are amorphous solids, which are very different from crystals. On one hand, where crystals are organized in a regular lattice pattern, while on the other, amorphous solids like opals have an unorganized lattice, which is why they react with light differently and exhibit a beautiful play of colors. Because of the high demand for opals, scientists have discovered ways to synthesize opals artificially and they know how to create synthetic opals. In this blog, we will discuss what you need to know as you invest in a synthetic opal ring. But first, let us get to know what synthetic opals are.
What are Synthetic Opals?
In 1974, after scientists discovered the clear sphere structure that natural opals have, they learned how to copy this structure to produce synthetic opals. The man behind the discovery of synthetic opals was Pierre Gilson – the same man who discovered other synthetic gemstones, like synthetic corals, emeralds, and lapis. Synthetic opals are also known as Gilson opals, in honor of Pierre Gilson, who discovered them. Although in the beginning, synthetic opals were mass-produced in Europe, primarily Switzerland, now they are mass-produced in Japan by companies like Inamori and Kyocera.
Synthetic opals possess the same chemical composition and internal structure as natural opals, and even the physical properties of both of these types of opals are similar. Some of the names of synthetic opals other than Gilson opal are lab-grown opals and cultured opals – these names indicate that they are man-made and not a creation of Mother Nature.
Looking at the play of colors of synthetic opals, you will find that synthetic opals display a much better iridescence as compared to most precious opals (that have natural origins). And the plus point with synthetic opals is they are available in a much wider range of colors and patterns. If you look at Kyocera’s collection of synthetic opals, you will find them in a huge range of colors – pink, blue, orange, black, and green. The point being, that these synthetic opal manufacturers offer synthetic opals in various shades.
How Can You Spot a Synthetic Opal in a Synthetic Opal Ring?
You can spot the difference between a natural precious opal and synthetic opal using a loupe with high magnification, and to be precise, 60X magnification or more. Under a high magnification loupe, when you observe the synthetic opal stone set in the ring, you will observe a “lizard skin” effect, which is nothing but the area (that shows the play of colors) exhibiting “snakeskin” or “lizard skin” or “chicken wire” pattern. This crumbly surface showing a play of colors you see under a high magnification loupe showcases that the opal is synthetic.
There is another way to spot a synthetic opal in a synthetic opal ring. When you go out to purchase opals, carry a UV torch along with you – synthetic opals showcase a fluoresce of deep green color under UV light. Thus, if your synthetic opal ring fluoresces, it means that the stone set in it is synthetic opal.
Why Should You Get Your Synthetic Opal Ring Tested in a Proper Gemological Laboratory?
When buying a synthetic opal ring, it’s advisable to get it tested in a proper gemological laboratory and get a certificate of the stone’s authenticity from that lab. The reason for this is reputed gemological laboratories (like GIA, American Gem Society, ICA GemLab, etc.) provide all the details about the stone in their certificate of authenticity, like the stone’s origin, its cut, weight, color, and the treatments that the stone might have undergone. Also, gemological laboratories can quickly tell if your synthetic opals are imitation stones or not. Gemologists working at these gemological laboratories have professional tools for checking the gemstone, and they know the different ways you can check the stone. For instance, if you talk about synthetic opal, here is how the gemological laboratory tests the stone:
1. The gemologist at these laboratories observes the play of colors in a synthetic opal ring. The play of color patches that are displayed by a synthetic opal has a columnar growth pattern. It means that the growth pattern, when viewed perpendicular to the direction in which opal grows, is columnar in nature.
2. The gemological laboratory also checks if the synthetic opals are resin-impregnated or not. The ones impregnated with resin have lower specific gravity, which is how gemologists identify these opals.
3. When a knowledgeable gemologist observes the play of color patches of synthetic opals, he finds that these patches are more uniform in size and also have a uniform distribution. This is how he would segregate between a natural precious opal and a synthetic opal.
4. A gemologist might even use a spectroscope to identify a synthetic opal. The thing with synthetic opals is that they are often stained in an outrageous color, which is why the stain creates absorption bands when viewed through a normal spectroscope. Through spectroscopy, the gemologist can determine the origin of the synthetic opal set in your synthetic opal ring.
Why Do Wholesale Gemstone Jewelry Manufacturers Use Synthetic Opals?
Many wholesale gemstone jewelry manufacturers and suppliers use synthetic opals to make various synthetic opal jewelry. The main reason behind making this jewelry is, that synthetic opals are way cheaper since they are produced at scale. Another reason for making synthetic opal jewelry is, that they come in a wide range of colors, and most often, they are cut into beautiful ring-size cabochons to make synthetic opal rings. These cabochons set in the ring cost a few dollars each, and this price is just a fraction of the price of a natural precious opal similar to that.
Now, you must be thinking, will synthetic opals replace natural precious opals in the future? Well, just because synthetic opals have their benefits, it does not mean they will end up squeezing the market of natural opals. Gemstone jewelry enthusiasts who love opals are willing to pay higher prices for natural and genuine gemstones, which are formed in the depths of the Earth, and this segment of people will never replace authentic precious opals with any synthetic variant. These people will prefer genuine opal rings when asked to choose between genuine precious opals and synthetic opals.
Uses of Synthetic Opal
Use #1: In Making Synthetic Opal Rings and other Jewelry Items
Synthetic opals are used in exquisite synthetic opal jewelry like synthetic opal rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets, etc. The primary reason for using them in making gemstone jewelry is their availability in a wide variety of colors – if you talk about the Kyocera Corporation of Japan (a leading lab-opal manufacturer), it sells synthetic opals in 78+ colors. All these different colored synthetic opals show the beautiful play of colors which is quite similar to the play of colors of natural precious opals when viewed from the naked eye.
Use #2: In Making Various Objects
Synthetic opals are used as decorative materials on items like jewelry boxes, vases, art objects, etc. In order to improve the aesthetic look, these objects either have a thin sheet of synthetic opal used in beautifying these objects, or small cabochon-shaped synthetic opals are used to adorn these objects.
Use #3: Other Uses
Synthetic opals are also used in making paints and polishes. For instance, a Japanese company named Kyocera has developed a quick-drying gel containing suspended powder of synthetic opal, which is marketed as fingernail polish. Similarly, synthetic opals are also used in making paints – if you google “opal dichroic paints,” you will find a wide variety of opalescent paints.
Conclusion
We hope that you liked this blog on synthetic opal rings. First, we discussed what synthetic opals are. Then, we moved on to identifying a synthetic opal ring as you go to the jeweler or your local flea market. Then, we discussed the importance of why you should consult a gemological laboratory to get your synthetic opal ring checked. Lastly, we discussed why wholesale gemstone jewelry manufacturers use synthetic opals and some uses of synthetic opals. Wasn’t this blog on synthetic opal rings illuminating? If this blog has piqued your interest and you have made up your mind to purchase synthetic opal rings and other synthetic opal jewelry at wholesale rates, then we would like to introduce you to our range of synthetic opal jewelry at Rananjay Exports.
We, Rananjay Exports, are India’s biggest wholesale gemstone jewelry manufacturers and suppliers, and we sell a wide variety of synthetic opal jewelry made in pure 925 sterling silver. Our 925 sterling silver jewelry is available in various vermeils, and you can get them ordered in rhodium plating. As a manufacturer of wholesale gemstone jewelry, we sell jewelry in various natural gemstones that are ethically sourced, and you will find many exquisite jewelry collections in our existing inventory, like chakra jewelry, plain silver jewelry, and birthstone jewelry.
Purchase jewelry from Rananjay Exports and get the jewelry your customers deserve – we have supplied jewelry to 5000+ customers since our inception in 2013, and we leave no stones unturned to provide our retail clients with gemstone jewelry that would awe their customers.
