What is synthetic opal and White sapphire

What is synthetic opal and White sapphire?
Opal is a natural amorphous solid known for its flashes of fire color. An amorphous solid
is a material that, unlike glass, is not organized in a regular network pattern. This causes
some unusual interactions with light, and is explainable for the colors of the opal
rainbow.
However, just because the opal is classified as amorphous does not mean that its atoms
are arranged without order. Chemists have discovered a clear sphere structure in opal,
which led them to copy it in 1974. Synthetic opal is often called Gilson's opal, after
Pierre Gilson, the man who invented it along with other synthetic minerals: coral,
emerald, lapis lazuli, etc...
Sapphire: the stone of wisdom
White sapphire is one of the four most important gemstones in the world and one of the
most beautiful along with ruby, natural aquamarine and high quality cubic zirconia.
Also known as ultralite, it is usually found in deposits rich in hematite, bauxite and rutile.
Its blue color is due to its composition includes aluminum, titanium and iron.
Sapphires are associated with sincerity and fidelity. A sapphire is usually blue, although
there are pink, yellow and even white or even colorless sapphires. Made from an
aluminum oxide called corundum, it is the hardest natural mineral after diamond. The
blue corundum is a sapphire, while the red one is a ruby.
What is synthetic opal?
How to detect a synthetic opal
If you are ever in the market of opals, we recommend that you bring a magnifying glass.
Under a large increase (around sixty), it is clear from the regularity and columnar nature
of the patterns that the opal is synthetic. Even with the naked eye, the columnar nature of
the opal is clearly visible. With the help of a magnifying glass, you will be able to discern
the effect called "lizard skin" on the colored patches.
What is synthetic opal?
It is said that synthetic opals emit a green color under UV light. Along with the
magnifying glass, we recommend that you bring a UV flashlight to the flea market (or
wherever you go to get your opals). If it is fluorescent, it is synthetic; if not, it's natural.
The two main types of synthetic opal
Synthetic opal comes in two main types: white opal and black opal. White opal is
generally more expensive than black opal, in large part because white is more natural
than black.
The monarch opal has recently arrived on the market and many people think it is a new
opal, but it is a synthetic opal made by man.
Synthetic chemical composition opal
Many countries manufacture opals and sell them saying emerald stones for sale, as it is
a valuable gemstone, so unfortunately we hope that more synthetic opals are
incorporated. As far as we know, China and Thailand are constantly trying to make new
products for this market to catch the trusting opal buyer. Professional laboratories try and
market your product as a brand. Synthetic opal is available in sheets or blocks. The
blocks are used to make bracelets and the leaves are ideal for inlay work or sets of rings,
pendants and earrings.