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Lab Created Opal Cabochons ā€” AAA Quality Sterling & Monarch Opal

Looking for lab created opal cabochons that give you the full fire and color play of natural opal without the natural-opal price tag? Our collection of synthetic opal loose stones ā€” sold under the trade names Sterling Opal and Monarch Opal ā€” is cut and polished into AAA-grade cabochons ready for pendant, ring, earring, and custom jewelry making.

Every stone in this collection is 100% lab created opal (also called synthetic or man-made opal) ā€” grown under controlled conditions to reproduce the same rainbow flash you see in natural opal, at a fraction of the cost. Because it's lab created gemstone material, you get consistent color, shape, and quality across every cabochon, which is exactly why silversmiths and jewelry designers keep coming back to it for pendant making and bezel-setting projects.

What you'll find in this collection:

  • Octagon, oval, pear, marquise, cushion, freeform, heart, and star-shape lab created opal cabochons
  • AAA quality loose opal gemstones, flat-back cut for easy bezel or prong setting
  • Sizes ranging from petite accent stones to large statement cabochons
  • Matched pairs available for earring and symmetrical designs
  • Every stone individually photographed (front and back) so you know exactly what you're getting

Whether you're searching for synthetic opal for sale, lab created opal cabochon supplies for your next design, or an affordable opal for sale alternative to natural stone, this collection is built for makers who want real fire without the natural-opal price.

Lab Created vs. Natural Opal ā€” What's the Difference?

A common question we get is "lab created opal vs natural opal ā€” what's the difference?" Natural opal forms underground over millions of years and is mined, which makes fine natural opal expensive and often included with fractures. Lab created opal (synthetic opal) is grown in a controlled lab environment to mimic that same silica structure ā€” so you get the same play-of-color and durability characteristics, without the rarity price tag.

Neither is "fake" in the sense of being glass or plastic imitation ā€” lab created opal is genuine opal material, just made in a lab rather than the earth. If you're comparing synthetic opal vs natural opal for a project, lab created is the better choice when you need consistent supply, predictable pricing, and uniform sizing across multiple pieces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Lab created opal (also sold as Sterling Opal or Monarch Opal) has the same mineral structure as natural opal ā€” it's grown in a lab instead of mined from the ground. It is not glass, resin, or plastic imitation opal.

Yes, Lab created opal cabochons hold up well in pendants, earrings, and occasional-wear rings. As with natural opal, avoid ultrasonic cleaners, extreme heat, and harsh chemicals ā€” clean with a soft, damp cloth.

Store separately from harder gemstones to avoid scratching, keep away from direct heat and sudden temperature changes, and clean with a soft cloth and mild soap only. Avoid steam or ultrasonic jewelry cleaners.

Yes ā€” all our cabochons are flat-backed, which makes them ideal for bezel setting, prong setting, and wire-wrap pendant designs.

Our lab created opal cabochons come in octagon, oval, pear, marquise, cushion, freeform, heart, and star shapes, ranging from small accent stones (2ā€“5 cts) to large statement cabochons (15+ cts).