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What is Natural Opal?
Natural opal is a hydrated non-crystalline silica-based mineral, with varieties that are noted for their iridescent beauty, like fire opal and blue opal. Many varieties are considered gemstone quality.
What is a Synthetic Opal?
A synthetic opal is a manufactured gemstone that is made to resemble, at least visually, natural opal. According to the Gaaj-Zenhokyo Lab, which tests synthetic stones, one variety of synthetic blue opal has been marketed since 2007 under the name PeruBlu by RMC Gems Thai Co. Ltd.
Synthetic Blue Opal Composition
Using fluorescent X-rays, the Gaaj-Zenhokyo Lab found that, as with natural blue opal, silicon was the main component of synthetic blue opal, along with traces of iron and copper. Other trace elements detected were boron, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, potassium, calcium, scandium, titanium, chromium, manganese, nickel, zinc, strontium, rhodium, thulium and lead.
Natural Blue Opal Composition
Natural blue opals also contain silicon and traces of iron and copper. Trace elements include beryllium vanadium, gallium and uranium̵1;which do not occur in synthetic blue opals, according to the Gaaj-Zenhokyo Lab.
Laboratory Test Results
Testing synthetic blue opal's physical properties, done under magnification at the Gaaj-Zenhokyo Lab, revealed densely spread tiny inclusions in the stone, as well as cloud and gas bubble formations and a fine wavy growth structure not seen in natural opal. Also, under both long wave and short wave ultraviolet light, synthetic blue opals did not fluoresce and were inert, unlike natural blue opal.