Gilson Created Opal

Synthetic Or Simulant:
Synthetic or Lab Created
This type gemstones is created in controlled laboratory conditions.
They have the same chemical composition and physical properties
to that of the natural gemstones.

Various methods are used to create synthetic gemstones. Some of these processes can be
very expensive. Sometimes a Lab Created gemstone can even cost more than the natural
stone. For the most part these processes provide us with excellent looking gems. At a more affordable price.

Simulant or Imitation
These are a look alike to real gemstones. The chemical composition and physical properties
are not the same. These stones only look alike. This is often the case when a material like
glass is cut to looks like ruby, sapphire or emerald.

Another typical example is Cubic Zirconium. Totally man made with no natural counterpart.
But when cut, it looks remarkably like Diamond . In most cases these types of stone can be identified very easily.

What is opal?
Well, technically, opal is SIO2 and a minute trace of h20, bound together in a latticework
that resembles marbles in a fish tank—all settled in nice, orderly little rows. Because the
silica is generally spherical, each tiny particle adjoins its neighbors, but never flat surface
to flat surface.

Light passes amongst these particles, speeding up and slowing down as the size of the spheres and spaces between them changes with the angle of view. Thus, longer light waves produce
RED color hues and the shorter waves produce the BLUE color hues.

Remind you of the prism you saw in grade school? In fact in simple terms, opal may be
thought of in this same way. These little silicon balls all lined up in their little rows. Touching side to side, have a kind of triangle shape between them. Which throws out light much the
same as that prism did.

Gilson Created Opal:
The laboratory opal producing process, was first invented by Pierre Gilson, Sr. of France in 1974. This process produces a kaleidoscope of colors. From the rare and precious black opal,
to crystal and white opaque opal.

The Gilson formula is considered the truest gemological process in the world today.
Considered by many gemologists to by the world's finest laboratory grown Opal.
This process takes from 14 to 18 months,and the colors are natural with no treatment or enhancements.

Unlike its natural counterpart, this created opal is much tougher and not prone to breaking.
It gets it's hardness because it contains no water. Unlike natural opal which does contain
water. The lack of water in Gilson opal has currently brought about debates and differences
of opinion. Concerning the final classification of Gilson Opal.

In any event. Natural Black Opal is exceedingly rare and expensive. With Created Black
Opal cabochons, you can have all the sizes you need at an affordable price! The Gilson
White opals are very nice too.

These stones whether they are finally classed as Imitation or Synthetic. Are the best mimic
to real opal we have seen. They are grown in similar conditions as to what might be found in nature and do have all of the elements but water. We think their beauty, toughness and heat resistance is a plus.

Thanks to Gerry Manning and his family For this information. They are also the only folks
to bring us this fine product.