ABOUT
OPAL
is a naturally blue
stone with interior fracturing of light which results in a play of color. Opal
is October's birthstone and is believed to make the wearer less self-conscious,
thereby encouraging spontaneous action and awakening one's psyche.
Natural opal
(also known as precious
opal) contains between 3-10% water but can be as high as 20% and this can make
the stones less stable.
Lab opal
is considered a true synthetic or created opal – produced in controlled laboratory
conditions and with the same chemical composition as natural opal but with a very
low moisture content making it more durable. Lab opal has much fracturing of light
and brilliant colors including blue, pink, purple, red and green. Most opal used
in Native American jewelry is lab opal.
Imitation opal
(artificial or simulated
opal) is different chemically from natural and lab opal. It is made up of 80%
silica and 20% resin and is an economical option to both precious and lab opal.
Read
more about opal. Read
about stones.
