In the trade, this material may be sold as an “opal-like product,” because of the play-of-color phenomenon observed (figure 1, left). Standard gemological testing revealed a hydrostatic specific ...

and physical characteristics of its natural mineral counterpart, though in some cases, namely synthetic turquoise and synthetic opal, additional compounds can be present. Synthetic gem crystals have ...

Nature continues to prove that it is the ultimate artist, crafting beauty that defies imagination. A recent discovery in ...