Opal

The influence of electrical charges on surfaces is very important to their physical chemistry. The Coulombic interaction between charged colloids is responsible for a myriad of behaviors from the formation of opals to the stability of biological cells. Although this is a broad subject involving both practical application and fundamental physics and chemistry, we must limit our discussion to those areas having direct implications for surface science. 

LIF is also used witii liquid and solid samples. For example, LIF is used to detect lJO ions in minerals the uranyl ion is responsible for the bright green fluorescence given off by minerals such as autunite and opal upon exposure to UV light [23],... 

Ohara P C ef a/1995 Crystallization of opals from polydisperse nanopartioles Phys. Rev. Lett. 75 3466... 

Silicon makes up 25.7% of the earth s crust, by weight, and is the second most abundant element, being exceeded only by oxygen. Silicon is not found free in nature, but occurs chiefly as the oxide and as silicates. Sand, quartz, rock crystal, amethyst, agate, flint, jasper, and opal are some of the forms in which the oxide appears. Granite, hornblende, asbestos, feldspar, clay, mica, etc. are but a few of the numerous silicate minerals. 

Oldhamite, see Calcium sulfide Opal, see Silicon dioxide Orpiment, see Arsenic trisulfide Oxygen powder, see Sodium peroxide... 

Fig. 7. Electron microscope view of Gilson synthetic opal each sphere is j p.m in diameter.

Discredited Synthetics. There are several materials that have in the past been considered to be synthetics, but were found on closet examination not to deserve such a designation, being merely imitations. Examples include imitation coral, lapis la2uli, and turquoise, all made by ceramic processes. This same point has been raised (17) with respect to synthetic opal, which does contain some substances not present in natural opal and somewhat less water. However, the composition of natural opal is quite variable and is usually intermixed with significant amounts of rock-derived materials hence the synthetic designation is usually retained. 

Composite Gemstones. Many types of composite or assembled gemstones have been made (1). Some are shown in Figure 3. In the United States a doublet has two pieces combined using a colodess cement. If three pieces are used, or if two pieces are assembled using a colored cement, the gemstone is a triplet. The use of composite stones has declined rapidly with the rise of inexpensive synthetics. Frequendy seen are opal doublets, where precious opal is backed by a black material. In opal triplets a thin sHce of precious opal is cemented between a black backing and a clear cover, usually of quartz. Additionally, insects and even fish have been inserted into amber. 

Fig. 3. Forms of composite gemstones (a) doublet (b) fused gamet-top doublet (c) and (d) triplets (e) opal doublet (f) opal triplet (g) and (h) gel-filled...

Since weathering is deterrnined primarily by clouding which changes transmission, a rating for the opal glasses is omitted. At 10 kHz. 

Unlike conventional ceramic materials, glass-ceramics are fully densifted with zero porosity. They generally are at least 50% crystalline by volume and often are greater than 90% crystalline Other types of glass-based materials that possess low amounts of crystallinity, such as opals and mby glasses, are classified as glasses and are discussed elsewhere (see Glass). 

The bulk density of powdered diatomite varies from 112 to 320 kg/m. The tme specific gravity of diatomite is 2.1 to 2.2, the same as for opaline sihca, or opal (1). The thermal conductivity of bulk quantities of diatomite is low but increases with higher percentages of impurities and a higher density. The fusion point depends on the purity but averages about 1430°C for pure material, which is slightly less than for pure siUca. The addition of chemical agents, such as soda ash, reduces the fusion point. 

Although natural quartz, cristobalite and opal are used as fillers, only synthetic products (fumed and precipitated silicas) find use as fillers in rubber base adhesives. 

Vitreous Si02 oeeurs as teetites, obsidian and the rare mineral leehatelierite. Synthetie forms inelude keatite and W-siliea. Opals are an exeeedingly eomplex erystalline aggregate of partly hydrated siliea. 

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