LAB-CRAFTED™ OPAL

Engineered opal materials for jewelry makers and lapidary artists.

SHOP OPAL

7+ Years Supplying Lab-Grown Opal

4,500+ Verified Reviews

Trusted by Professional Makers Worldwide

Ethical, Man-Made Material

Trusted By Makers

4,500+ Verified Reviews

Proven performance for production work, consistent color, and reliable supply.

Jewelry Makers Lapidary Artists Resin Artists

TWO OPAL TECHNOLOGIES. ONE STANDARD OF QUALITY.

Both materials deliver real play-of-color through engineered silica structures. The difference is how that structure behaves in use.

Astral Opal™ Nebula Opal™
Classification Synthetic Opal (Lab-Grown) Lab-Crafted™ Imitation Opal
Internal Structure Ordered silica lattice, polymer stabilized Colloidal silica suspended in polymer resin
Visual Pattern Directional, columnar / striped Non-directional, marbled / swirling
Consistency Between Pieces Highly consistent and repeatable Visually unique from piece to piece
Hardness (Mohs) 4 2
Durability & Stability Excellent resistance to cracking, crazing, and temperature shock Excellent chemical stability and impact resistance
Best Applications Beads, components, rings, inlay, production jewelry Statement jewelry, artistic work, decorative inlay
Rough Form Factor Irregular, organic rough pieces Rectangular lab-cast blocks
Availability Over 90 colors available Over 45 colors in stock
Astral Opal™
Classification
Synthetic Opal (Lab-Grown)
Internal Structure
Ordered silica lattice, polymer stabilized
Visual Pattern
Directional, columnar / striped
Consistency
Highly consistent and repeatable
Hardness
4
Durability
Excellent resistance to cracking and temperature shock
Applications
Production jewelry, beads, components, inlay
Availability
Over 90 colors in stock
Nebula Opal™
Classification
Lab-Crafted™ Imitation Opal
Internal Structure
Colloidal silica suspended in polymer resin
Visual Pattern
Non-directional, marbled / swirling
Consistency
Visually unique from piece to piece
Hardness
2
Durability
Excellent chemical stability and impact resistance
Applications
Statement jewelry, artistic work, decorative inlay
Availability
Over 45 colors in stock

HOW OUR OPAL IS MADE

Our opals are created in controlled laboratory environments designed for consistency, stability, and repeatable optical performance.

Illustrative micrograph of silica spheres arranged in an ordered structure
Illustrative micrograph showing ordered silica sphere arrangement used to produce play-of-color in synthetic opal materials.
1

Silica Engineering

Ultra-pure microscopic silica spheres are produced within a tightly controlled size range that determines color and optical behavior.

2

Structural Formation

The silica spheres are arranged through controlled processes into either an ordered lattice or a stabilized suspension.

3

Polymer Stabilization

Water is fully replaced with a stabilizing polymer that permanently locks the structure in place and prevents cracking or crazing.

4

Finishing

The finished material is cut, shaped, or processed into rough, beads, cabochons, or inlay material ready for fabrication.

Astral Opal™ and Nebula Opal™ use different structural methods, but both rely on the same optical physics to produce vibrant, permanent play-of-color.