Crystopedia
Mineral variety Healing crystal

Synthetic Opal

Also known as: Gilson opal, Lab opal

BlueMulticolor & Iridescent

Variety of Opal.

Synthetic Opal specimen
Synthetic Opal.jpg · Wikimedia Commons (see file page for author & license)

📜 Key facts

AgeMan-made since the 1970s (Gilson opal was first sold in 1974)
Origin & sourcesLaboratory-grown, e.g. Gilson (France) and Kyocera (Japan).
CompositionLab-grown silica spheres (some contain resin), arranged like natural precious opal

How it forms

Silica spheres are settled and bonded in a lab to copy natural play-of-colour. Many show a 'lizard-skin' or chicken-wire pattern under magnification, which helps tell them from natural opal.

Mineral data: see Opal.

✨ Opal family

Black Opal
Black OpalMineral variety
Blue Opal
Blue OpalMineral variety
Boulder Opal
Boulder OpalMineral variety
Chocolate Opal
Chocolate OpalMineral variety
Common Opal
Common OpalMineral variety
Crystal Opal
Crystal OpalMineral variety
Dendritic Opal
Dendritic OpalMineral variety
Ethiopian Opal
Ethiopian OpalMineral variety
Fire opal
Fire opalMineral variety
Green Opal
Green OpalMineral variety
Honey Opal
Honey OpalMineral variety
Hyalite
HyaliteMineraloid variety
Matrix Opal
Matrix OpalMineral variety
Opal
OpalIMA mineral species
Opal Doublet & Triplet
Opal Doublet & TripletMineral variety
Opalite
OpaliteNatural glass
Opalized Fossil
Opalized FossilFossil
Pink Opal
Pink OpalMineral variety
◆
Precious opalGem material
Virgin Valley Opal
Virgin Valley OpalMineral variety
White Opal
White OpalMineral variety
Wood Opal
Wood OpalMineral variety

✨ Metaphysical & Folklore

These are traditional and folk beliefs from crystal lore. They are not scientific or medical claims – crystals are not a substitute for professional care.

Lab-grown opal shares opal's traditional associations with creativity in crystal lore.

Traditional uses
creativity, inspiration, expression
Chakra
Crown
Zodiac
Libra
Element
Water

💞 Pairs well with (traditional pairings)

OpalPaired in tradition for creativity, with Opal bringing inspiration as well. Blue Lace AgateBoth carry the theme of peaceful expression, so together they're thought to reinforce it. Lapis LazuliA natural partner for self-expression; Lapis Lazuli also adds wisdom. AmethystWorks the same Crown chakra, adding meditation. HematiteA grounding root stone to balance synthetic opal's high, spiritual energy.

Learn more