What Is A Gilson Opal: A Guide To This Rare Gemstone

In the 1970s, French ceramicist Pierre Gilson made a remarkable discovery: he figured out how to create simulated gemstones. These are often called synthetic in the trade, but it’s important to understand that they aren’t truly natural. While they may look like the real deal, they lack the same properties as their natural counterparts, making them simulants or imitation gemstones.

Think of it this way: a Gilson opal is like a really good copy of a real opal, but it’s not the original. The difference lies in how they are formed. Natural opals are formed over millions of years, deep within the Earth. They are created by a complex process involving silica and water. Gilson opals, on the other hand, are created in a laboratory through a process called hydrothermal synthesis. This method involves growing crystals in a controlled environment, mimicking the conditions found in nature. While this process results in stunningly beautiful gemstones, they are not technically natural.

So, are Gilson opals real? Well, it depends on how you define real. They are real in the sense that they are genuine gemstones, but they are not real in the sense that they are not naturally occurring. They are a man-made creation, a testament to human ingenuity. They are also a great alternative for those who want the beauty of a natural opal, but at a more affordable price.

Australia is home to a vast majority of the world’s opal mines, producing a stunning 97% of the global supply! You’ll find a wide array of opal types in Australia, including Black Opals, Boulder Opals, White Opals, Crystal Opals, and Opal Doublets and Triplets.

But when it comes to the three main types of opals, we’re talking about precious opals, common opals, and matrix opals.

Precious opals are the most sought-after type, renowned for their brilliant play of color, often referred to as “fire.” These opals have a high water content and a unique internal structure that causes the light to diffract, creating the mesmerizing rainbow display. Precious opals are further categorized based on their color, with black opals being the most valuable due to their dark body tone that intensifies the color play. White opals are known for their milky white body tone, while crystal opals boast a transparent or translucent body tone that reveals the full spectrum of their color play.

Common opals, as the name suggests, are more abundant and less valuable than precious opals. They generally lack the brilliant play of color found in precious opals and often exhibit a milky or cloudy appearance. However, they can still be quite beautiful and are often used in jewelry or decorative objects.

Matrix opals are a fascinating type of opal where the precious opal is embedded in a host rock, such as ironstone or sandstone. The matrix adds a unique texture and depth to the opal, and the contrasting colors of the opal and matrix can create stunning visual effects. Boulder opals are a type of matrix opal that is particularly prized for its unique appearance and durability.

So, next time you see a dazzling opal, take a moment to appreciate the incredible natural phenomenon behind its beauty. Whether it’s a fiery precious opal, a delicate common opal, or a captivating matrix opal, each type of opal offers its own unique charm and allure.

While lab-created opal can be made to resemble natural opal, it’s not exactly the same. Lab-created opal is not as rare as its natural counterpart, so its value is generally lower.

Think of it like this: Imagine a limited-edition painting by a famous artist. If that artist decides to make more copies of the painting, the original will still be valuable, but the copies will be worth less. The same goes for opal. Natural opal is a unique and beautiful stone that has been formed over millions of years, while lab-created opal is essentially a man-made version that can be produced more easily.

However, it’s not entirely accurate to say that lab-created opal is “worthless.” It still has its own unique beauty and characteristics and can be a beautiful and affordable alternative for those who can’t afford natural opal. Lab-created opal is often used in jewelry and other decorative items. Its value is often determined by factors such as the quality of the stone, its size, and the craftsmanship involved in creating the piece. So, while it may not be as valuable as natural opal, lab-created opal can still be a beautiful and affordable option for collectors and jewelry enthusiasts alike.

We’ve all been captivated by the mesmerizing beauty of opals. Their vibrant colors and unique play of light make them a truly special gem. But what if you’re looking for a similar look without the high price tag? There are several opal imitations available, created to emulate the beauty of natural opals.

Let’s explore some of the most common opal imitations:

Slocum opal
Opalite
Synthetic opal
Gilson opal
Inamori opal

These opal imitations are all man-made, designed to capture the essence of the natural opal but with a lower cost and sometimes different properties.

Slocum opals are often made from glass, while opalite is a type of glass that’s specifically designed to mimic the appearance of opal. Synthetic opals, on the other hand, are created using a process that involves growing tiny silica spheres in a gel. This results in an opal that’s chemically similar to natural opal but is lab-grown.

Gilson opals and Inamori opals are both examples of synthetic opals. They are highly prized for their vivid colors and are often used in jewelry.

Remember, although these opal imitations may look similar to natural opals, they have distinct differences in their origin, composition, and even durability. If you’re looking for a truly unique piece of opal jewelry, opt for natural opals. However, if you want a more affordable option or a unique alternative to the natural gem, these imitations can be a fantastic choice.

Opals are beautiful and unique gemstones, and their value can vary greatly depending on several factors. Let’s break down the pricing of opals, especially black opals which are the most valuable.

A black opal can range in price from $50 per carat to $10,000 per carat! The price depends on a few things, including the opal’s color, clarity, and cut. Opals with vibrant colors and a good clarity are naturally more valuable.

White opals are a bit more common than black opals, and their prices tend to be lower. They can range from $10 per carat to $150 per carat. Other types of opals, like fire opals, red opals, and blue opals, fall somewhere in between, with prices ranging from $10 to $500 per carat.

Now, let’s talk about what makes a black opal so valuable. The color of a black opal is the most important factor, and intense red, green, and blue colors are highly sought after. The play of color, which is the way the opal’s colors shift and change in the light, is another key element in determining value. The more vibrant and intense the play of color, the more valuable the opal.

Clarity also plays a big role in the price of a black opal. A clear opal with few inclusions (internal imperfections) will be more valuable than an opal with many inclusions. Lastly, the cut of the opal can influence its price. A well-cut opal will maximize its brilliance and play of color, making it more appealing and valuable.

It’s important to keep in mind that these are just general guidelines. The actual price of a 1-carat opal, or any opal, can vary greatly depending on the specific characteristics of the stone and the market conditions at the time of purchase.

White opals are the most common type of opal and are often the most affordable. You can find white opals for as low as $4, but if the gem displays a beautiful play of colors, the price can increase to $60 or more.

White opals are a great option for those who are looking for a beautiful and affordable gemstone. They are often used in jewelry, but can also be used for other decorative purposes. The affordability of white opals is due to their abundance. They are found in many parts of the world, including Australia, Brazil, and the United States.

The price of a white opal is determined by a number of factors, including the quality of the stone, the intensity of the play of color, and the size and shape of the gem. White opals with a strong play of color are typically more expensive than those with a weaker play of color. Larger white opals are also more expensive than smaller ones.

If you are looking for a beautiful and affordable gemstone, white opals are a great option. They are available in a wide range of prices and can be found in a variety of styles and settings. With a little bit of research, you can find the perfect white opal to fit your budget and style.

Gilson created opals are a fascinating example of how technology can mimic nature. These opals exhibit a distinctive columnar pattern, a hallmark of opals formed through natural sedimentation processes. However, unlike some synthetic opals, Gilson opals aren’t infused with polymers or resins. This means they possess the same chemical and physical properties as their naturally occurring counterparts, making them a truly authentic alternative.

The creation of Gilson opals involves a meticulous process that replicates the conditions under which natural opals form. A carefully controlled environment allows for the controlled deposition of silica spheres, the building blocks of opal. These spheres arrange themselves in precise, ordered patterns, creating the mesmerizing play of colors that defines opals. The absence of polymers and resins ensures that the resulting Gilson opals maintain the same brilliance, fire, and durability as their natural counterparts.

The beauty of Gilson opals lies in their ability to offer the same breathtaking visual appeal as natural opals, without relying on potentially harmful or unsustainable practices. This makes them a responsible and ethically sound choice for those who desire the unique beauty of opals without compromising on environmental and ethical considerations.

Gilson opals are synthetic opals, which means they are created in a laboratory. They are known for their unique lizard skin appearance, which is caused by the way the opal is formed.

Early Gilson opals had a very distinctive lizard skin look. However, over time, the manufacturing process improved. Now, you can find Gilson opals with a less pronounced lizard skin appearance. This is because manufacturers have learned to cut the opals at an angle to their columnar structures. This helps to disguise the lizard skin look and create a more desirable appearance.

Let’s dive a bit deeper into this “lizard skin” pattern. It is a result of the way Gilson opals are made. They’re formed in a process that involves layers of silica spheres, creating a unique internal structure. The “lizard skin” pattern is actually a series of small, raised bumps on the surface of the opal, which are a reflection of these internal structures.

The bumps are not always visible. Sometimes, they are only noticeable under magnification. However, they can be a distinctive characteristic of Gilson opals, especially the earlier ones.

You might be wondering if this “lizard skin” is a good or bad thing. Well, it’s really a matter of personal preference. Some people find the pattern quite attractive, while others might prefer a more uniform surface. The good news is that with the advancements in manufacturing, you have more options when it comes to the appearance of Gilson opals. If you are looking for a smooth, flawless opal, you can certainly find one.

Pink Background Opal

Early synthetic opal from the Gilson Laboratories in the 1970s had a pink background. This material is easily identified by its distinctive pink background and play-of-color.

This pink background is a result of the way the synthetic opal was created. The Gilson process involves layering very thin sheets of silica gel. These layers are then treated with heat and pressure, which causes them to bond together. The resulting material is very similar to natural opal, but it has a unique pink hue.

Synthetic opal is not as rare as natural opal. It is often used in jewelry and other decorative objects. However, it is important to note that synthetic opal is not a natural gem. It is a man-made product.

Synthetic opal is a good choice for those who are looking for a beautiful and affordable stone. It is also a good option for those who are looking for a stone that is easy to care for.

While synthetic opal can be very beautiful, it does not have the same rarity or value as natural opal. Natural opal is prized for its unique beauty and rarity.

Synthetic opal is a great option for those who are looking for a beautiful and affordable stone. It is also a good option for those who are looking for a stone that is easy to care for.

You can often find synthetic opal in jewelry and other decorative objects at a lower price than natural opal. However, be sure to purchase your synthetic opal from a reputable dealer.

Let’s talk about synthetic opal. Early on, in the 1970s, Gilson Laboratories produced synthetic opal that had a distinct pinkish background. But they quickly refined their process and were able to make synthetic opal that was both black and white.

This is really interesting because it shows how the technology behind creating synthetic opal has evolved over time. The ability to control the background color is a key part of making synthetic opal look as realistic as possible. It’s also important to remember that synthetic opal is not just a cheap imitation of the real thing. It’s a unique material with its own set of properties and characteristics. In fact, many people prefer synthetic opal for its durability and affordability.

Synthetic opal is created by mimicking the natural process of opal formation. It involves creating a silica-rich solution, often using a gel, and then carefully controlling the conditions under which the silica spheres precipitate and arrange themselves. This process can be done in a lab, and the resulting synthetic opal has the same basic structure as natural opal.

Because synthetic opal is made in a controlled environment, the manufacturers have more control over the final product. This allows them to produce synthetic opal with specific colors, patterns, and even shapes that are not always found in nature. In the world of opal, natural and synthetic versions each have their own unique appeal and value.

Gilson Opal – Black Opal, White Opal and Crystal Opal

Resin Free Opals with a Directional Pattern of Play-of-Color. Gilson-like opals are available as rough opals in different colors as black opals, white opals and crystal opals with orange or green fire. They will be delivered as fragments in different sizes and weights. gilson-opals.com

What is Synthetic Opal Made Of? | Opal Auctions

The term “Gilson opal” is usually used to refer to imitation opal, opals which are not only lab-created but contain minerals not found in actual opal (minerals such as plastic in Slocum stone, for example). Opal Auctions

10 things about Synthetic Opal you need to know

Synthetic Opal (Resin free): Gilson is the first company who successfully invented resin free synthetic opal and Gilson Opal is commonly known as created opal in the market. sanwapearl.com.hk

An Introduction to Synthetic Gem Materials

A synthetic gem material is one that is made in a laboratory, but which shares virtually all chemical, optical, and physical characteristics of its natural mineral counterpart, though in some cases, namely synthetic Gemological Institute of America (GIA)

Synthetic Opal Types – International Gem Society – IGS

Gilson Opal. After the discovery of opal’s structure, which consists of nano-scale spheres, scientists sought to replicate its beauty in the lab. In 1974, Pierre Gilson, who was responsible for introducing other synthetic International Gem Society

Synthetic & Imitation Opals — Opal Academy

Gilson Synthetic Opal. Early production of synthetic opal from the Gilson Laboratories from the 1970’s was a material that had a distinct pinkish background to its play-of opal.academy

Synthetic and Imitation Opals — Opal Academy

The first commercial production of ‘synthetic’ opal was not manufactured until 1975, with the introduction of the “Gilson” created gemstones, ‘synthetic’ opal was a reality and it began to appear in opal.academy

35 Years on – A new Look at Synthetic Opal – gilson-opals.com

opal has never been removed, it is often cunningly disguised by cutting cabochons at an angle to their basic columnar structures. However, close observation always reveals the gilson-opals.com

Gilson Opal: Mineral information, data and localities. – mindat.org

Opal was first synthesised by Pierre Gilson in 1974. The resulting material is distinguishable from natural opal by its regularity; under magnification, the patches of Mindat.org