Repairing Opal Cracks: Exploring Cyanoacrylate Alternatives

Question
Rod,

I saw your comments regarding the use of Windscreen Repair Kit in the repair of opal cracks.  Do you know if anyone in the opal gem field has tried to use cyanoacrylate as a repair glue?  In paleontology we use it in stabilizing and repair of fossils.  The formulation is called Paleobond and there is a thinned out formula that is like water and it wicks nicely into cracks.  I have a cracked Fire Opal that I would like to try it on but before I do, I would like to see if anyone else has tried.

Answer
Hi George , yes we have tried this , it joins things no problem but with opal its not used as it dries witha white mark. The windscreen repair  has optical properties and is almost invisible . It has a refractive index that is comparable with glass and dries clear. while they both are very fast drying,the windscreen  repair is the better  other than that the next is opticon from your local rock shop . best regards  Rod