A different kind of find..is it real ?

[blueskyminer]

While going through past estate sale purchases (culling) we found this box. I know the cabs are Agate. It is the small opal I am unsure of. Looks synthetic to me but I am guilty of having thrown away valuable items in the past. It appears to be 2 piece, as in having a show side and having a a back for mounting. Laugh at me if you will.....just askin

 

[Kray Gelder]

It's a "doublet" opal. A thin slice of real opal, glued to a piece of stone, or even plastic, for strength. Opal commonly forms in very thin layers, too thin for carving a cabochon for jewelry. So the thin piece is glued to the backing, then the lapidary cuts the cab. So, yeah, it's real, and no, I won't laugh at you. Cool.

 

[blueskyminer]

Thanks Kray, spot on. Looked it up, viewed a couple of examples and show nuff that's what it is.

 

[smokeythecat]

Kray nailed it. They do that a lot with opal.