Gemmological Classification

In the discipline of Gemmology (which is a subdivision of mineralogy as a classification), the terminology or classification of opal is different. Principally Gemmology discusses the use of minerals as gemstones which may be fashioned (cut and polished ) for use in the jewellery industry. Gemmology using this principle then becomes a science for distinguishing different types of gemstones used in jewellery. As such a gemmologist will use a tool that enables the gemmologist to distinguish between those attributes of an opal that determine whether the opal is Natural (mined out of the ground), Synthetic (manufactured in an industrial process by man), Imitation (a material that looks like or resembles and opal) and is either man-made or a natural “look alike” material (there are both types) or treated (changed or altered by some process that changes the appearance or the durability of the gemstone.

You can read more about these Gemmological categories here.

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