Using opals?

[Cosmo]

I just got a few opals given to me by a friend (Gibson opals). I have never used them, but I think I'll give them a try in some pendants. Has anyone ever used them?

I was wondering how to get them in place. Can you heat a rod and pick it up like you would a CZ, then encase it? Or would I be better off dropping it down into a closed tube and melting the tube down around it?

[Juln]

Yeah, the tube method - thats the way to do it.

[Orchid40]

Can you really use opals in lampwork?? Is the tube method the only one that works??

[luke gardner]

You can use opals in boro, but only the synthetic ones made in a lab by Gilson. (By the way, they are the only ones that produce these stones, and I hear that they may discontinue their manufacture) The reason that natural opals cannot be used is because they have a water content to them that will form a steam haze around the opal when you try to encase it in the tube, usually this spells incompatibility.

[Cosmo]

Discontinue them? I guess I better place a big order now...

I'm really starting to enjoy using them. I'll post some photos later...

[Orchid40]

Darn I haven't progressed to boro yet & it sounds like when I get to it, the opals will be gone :( .

Thank you for the info.

Char

[Cosmo]

I hope not. I just made a big order for some opals though, so hopefully that will get me through...