Can you GROW an Opal?

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Opal is easily one of the most beautiful gem stones and surprisingly it is also quite easy to grow synthetically. Unlike other gems which are solid crystals, opal is made of silica nanoparticles which have to be stacked together in just the right way to produce their magnificent colors. By growing silica nanoparticles of the right size, synthetic opal can be grown that looks just as amazing as the real thing.

Videos/channels I mentioned:

Smartereveryday - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHecdSDz4uU
Nilered - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0HfmYBlF8g
Applied science - https://www.youtube.com/user/bkraz333

Papers:
Stober process - https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs11051-016-3691-8.pdf
Opal preparation - http://www.pinfire.de/opal-literature/Some-Aspects-of-Opal-Synthesis.pdf
Supercritical opal drying - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273286020_The_application_of_supercritical_drying_in_the_synthesis_of_silica-based_materials
Opal images and info - www.synthetic-opals.com
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