Fire in Place Cultured Opals

Introducing Fire in Place Cultured Opals, a revolutionary addition that expands your options. These heat-resistant Cultured Opals are expertly grown in a lab over 14 to 18 months, showcasing natural colors without any treatments or enhancements.

 

Capable of withstanding temperatures to 1650º F (900º C) in a torch or kiln, they retain their vibrant color and sparkle, unlike some other gems.

 

Recognized by the GIA as true opals, they share similar properties with natural opals, but with added durability, scoring 6 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. Sustainable and free from harmful mining practices, these opals are a responsible choice for your jewelry collection.

Be cautious, as not all cultured or lab-grown opals possess the same qualities or heat resistance.

When purchasing opals, it's essential to understand the differences: Natural Opals are mined directly from the earth, while Cultured, Lab-Grown, and Synthetic Opals have similar properties and are created in labs. Imitation and Fake Opals may resemble natural opals but differ chemically, often made from glass, resin, or plastic.

 

Explore our Fire in Place Faceted Cultured Opals and Artisan-Cut Opals by Christopher for unique options.

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I have been a jeweler and Metal Clay Artist  in the business for over 45 years, 

I have been rigorously testing these fantastic new heat-resistant Opals extensively to study and learn how they could be fired in place in Fine Silver Metal Clay AND Enriched 950 Sterling and 960 Sterling Metal Clay at 1650ºF for 2 hours!!!! The results are so exciting!

This video sums up the fabulous results of firing Cultured Opals in place. Unlike nature opals, It CAN be done, and we're going to tell you how by updating this page often with new facts and findings as they come in. Meanwhile, click on the links below to get all the details of the process.