What Is Lab-Created Opal? A Simple Guide

Few stones capture the imagination like opal, with its flashes of pink, green, blue and gold that shift with every movement. Lab-created opal brings that magic to everyday jewellery. Here's what you need to know.

What makes opal special?

Opal is famous for its play of colour: shimmering patches of rainbow light that appear to move as you turn the stone. In natural opal, this effect comes from tiny silica spheres arranged in a pattern that splits light into colours.

What is lab-created opal?

Lab-created (also called created or synthetic) opal is made in a laboratory to recreate that same beautiful play of colour. Because it's produced in controlled conditions, the colour is bright, consistent and even across the stone — perfect for pendants, earrings and bracelets.

Lab-created vs natural opal

• Look: lab-created opal usually has a more regular, vivid pattern, while natural opal varies stone by stone.
• Price: lab-created opal is far more affordable, making opal jewellery accessible for everyday wear and gifting.
• Consistency: matching pairs, like opal earrings, are much easier to achieve with lab-created stones.

At Glimvora, we always describe our opals honestly as lab-created, so you know exactly what you're buying.

How to care for opal jewellery

1. Remove opal jewellery before swimming, showering or washing up.
2. Avoid knocks and hard surfaces — opal is softer than many gemstones.
3. Keep it away from perfume, lotions and cleaning products.
4. Wipe gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth, then dry.
5. Store it separately in a soft pouch to avoid scratches.

Is opal a birthstone?

Yes — opal is the traditional birthstone for October, which makes opal jewellery a thoughtful birthday gift for anyone born that month.

Discover The Opal Edit

From the glowing Opal Sunburst Pendant to the sweet Opal Heart Necklace, explore our full opal jewellery collection in sterling silver.