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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 -    • How to MINE OPAL gems in the OUTBACK ...  
Nilered -    • Making aerogel  
Applied science -    / bkraz333  

Papers:
Stober process - https://link.springer.com/content/pdf...
Opal preparation - http://www.pinfire.de/opal-literature...
Supercritical opal drying - https://www.researchgate.net/publicat...
Opal images and info - www.synthetic-opals.com
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