Top 5 Misconceptions About Lab Opals
Get to know a bit more about these lab-made gems and debunk the myths.
Opals are beautiful gems that consist of hydrated silica and are usually almost transparent with a gorgeous display of colors. Because of this crystal’s beauty, it’s been one of the favorite gems used to adorn jewelry pieces. Natural opals are typically mined from Australia but can also be found in Brazil, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Mexico, and here in the US. And because they can be pricey, opals are made in labs to be cheaper alternatives and to make opal jewelry more affordable. This week, we will turn the spotlight on these gorgeous gemstones and discover more about them.
MYTH 1: Lab opals are fake.
Opals created in the lab cannot be considered as fake. This is because they have the same chemical, optical and physical structures as the authentic ones. In short, they are 100% genuine. Fake crystals are typically made of glass or glass mixes and manufactured to look like the natural ones.
MYTH 2: Lab opals are treated.
Lab created gemstones are not treated. As mentioned above, they have the same chemical, optical, and physical properties with the natural opals. That said, these stones are not dyed, heat treated, or dyed to look natural.
MYTH 3: Lab-created opals break easily.
Lab opals do not have traces in water in them as do the natural ones, and that makes them harder. Also, if they were prone to damage, jewelry designers will not use them to adorn and wholesale sterling silver rings and other pieces.
MYTH 4: Lab opals do not have inclusions.
Inclusions in natural gemstones are what make them look beautiful. Most people think that because they are mass-produced in labs, lab opals are made without any imperfections. That is not true as these stones also have inclusions as these are a result of crystal growth.
MYTH 5: These lab-created gemstones are cheap and therefore look cheap as well.
Although they are affordable, lab opals are not as cheap as glass crystals. They also look almost the same as the natural ones and so do not look cheap in any way. That is why lab opal jewelry still looks as classy and sophisticated as jewelry pieces designed with natural opals.
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