Difference between revisions of "Imitation opal"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
  
Any man-made stone designed to resemble the iridescence of a natural [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=opal opal]. The first imitation opal was made by Pierre Gilson in the 1960s and first marketed in 1974. [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=Gilson%20stone Gilson stone], as well as most other synthetic opals, contain an underlying honeycomb pattern that can be through a microscope. Many synthetics, called opalite, are made from [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=silica silica]. Some have been made or coated with plastics ([http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=acrylic%20resin acrylic], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=latex latex] spheres, [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=polystyrene polystyrene]). Some imitation opals have also been made by dyeing silicified [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=sandstone sandstone] or cemented silica spheres together. One good opal imitation, [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=Slocum%20stone Slocum stone], is made from laminated glass with embedded bits of metal foil.
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Any man-made stone designed to resemble the iridescence of a natural [[opal]]. The first imitation opal was made by Pierre Gilson in the 1960s and first marketed in 1974. [[Gilson stone]], as well as most other synthetic opals, contain an underlying honeycomb pattern that can be through a microscope. Many synthetics, called opalite, are made from [[silica]]. Some have been made or coated with plastics ([[acrylic resin|acrylic]], [[latex]] spheres, [[polystyrene]]). Some imitation opals have also been made by dyeing silicified [[sandstone]] or cemented silica spheres together. One good opal imitation, [[Slocum stone]], is made from laminated glass with embedded bits of metal foil.
  
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
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Opalite; Gilson stone; Slocum stone
 
Opalite; Gilson stone; Slocum stone
  
== Authority ==
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==Resources and Citations==
  
* Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com  Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opal (accessed Oct. 12, 2005)
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* Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opal (accessed Oct. 12, 2005)
  
 
* Michael O'Donoghue and Louise Joyner, ''Identification of Gemstones'', Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, 2003
 
* Michael O'Donoghue and Louise Joyner, ''Identification of Gemstones'', Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, 2003

Latest revision as of 14:05, 31 August 2022

Description

Any man-made stone designed to resemble the iridescence of a natural Opal. The first imitation opal was made by Pierre Gilson in the 1960s and first marketed in 1974. Gilson stone, as well as most other synthetic opals, contain an underlying honeycomb pattern that can be through a microscope. Many synthetics, called opalite, are made from Silica. Some have been made or coated with plastics (acrylic, Latex spheres, Polystyrene). Some imitation opals have also been made by dyeing silicified Sandstone or cemented silica spheres together. One good opal imitation, Slocum stone, is made from laminated glass with embedded bits of metal foil.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Opalite; Gilson stone; Slocum stone

Resources and Citations

  • Michael O'Donoghue and Louise Joyner, Identification of Gemstones, Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, 2003