Opal Information RSS
What is Crushed Opal?
What is Crushed Opal? Crushed Opal is a diverse inlay material that is commonly used for jewelry making and craft projects. The Material & Benefits Most commonly, Crushed Opal is a Lab Created material. Lab Created Opal is grown in a controlled environment that is formulated to replicate the natural formation of Genuine Opal. Our Crushed Opal is a blend of 80% silica & 20% resin and is resistant to chemicals such as acetone and alcohol. By using a polymer it also creates a slightly softer product making it superior for turning and cabbing. This provides a better user experience, as you will...
Why Does Crushed Opal Change Color When Wet?
Why Does Crushed Opal Change Color When Wet? Dive into the fascinating realm of Crushed Opal! Used primarily as an inlay material, Crushed Opal brings a vibrant twist to various art forms such as ring making, resin art, woodworking, and numerous craft ventures. A compelling characteristic of Crushed Opal is its translucent nature, resulting in color-shifting properties. Unleash the full potential of this striking feature by incorporating a liquid medium, thereby unveiling colors that remain unseen when dry. Let's delve into how the crushing process influences this and how to unveil the complete spectrum of color in your project... Dry vs...
Lab Created Opal vs. Man Made Opalescence
Lab Created Opal vs. Man Made Opalescence Lab Created Opal SHOP NOW How is it made? Our Lab Created Opal takes around one year to grow in a controlled environment. This is a complex process of layering to create the unique color patterns. The first form of synthetic opal is a rough cut of stone. This rough cut synthetic stone is then cut or crushed into the desired final product. Read our Blog on How Lab Created Opal is Made What is the material made of?This lab-made material that consists of Silica and Polymer rather than hydrated silica (natural opal). The polymer stabilizes our opal which in...
How Lab Created Opal is Made
How Lab Created Opal is Made Synthetic opal, also known as lab-created or man-made opal, is created through a controlled process that replicates the natural formation of opal. Our Lab created opal is known for its vivid colors and patterns. While synthetic opal may have a similar appearance to natural opal, it's important to note that there are differences in terms of composition, structure, and value. Synthetic opals can offer an affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to natural opals. Also do not forget to consider that not all synthetic opal is created equally and may have different purposes. For example, our lab opal products are...
Why Use Lab-Created Crushed Opal Over Natural Opal for Inlaying?
Synthetic opal is an excellent choice for inlay material whether you are a beginner or professional. Here are a few reasons that stand out in comparison to natural opal: Natural opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica that has a water content ranging from as low as 3% to as high as 21%. While there are many ways of stabilizing natural opal, (our) synthetic crushed opal does not contain water and has been stabilized by polymer. Due to being stabilized by polymer, the synthetic crushed opal will experience less cracking and crazing throughout its lifetime. Lab-created opal...