Opals are always in demand. The credit behind goes to their versatility. From healing to jewelry and home decor, this stone is used for varied purposes. This gemstone is also famous for an effect called color play. It shows varied color flashes when light hits the surface of the stone. Because of this, every opal piece looks different. It really matters when you buy opal gemstone online. In this blog, we will explore the quality factors to consider when getting this gem.
Understanding the Opal Stone
Opal is a unique gemstone formed from silica-rich water seeping into cracks in rocks over millions of years. Unlike diamonds or rubies, it doesn’t have a crystal structure. Instead, it contains mostly water (up to 20%) mixed with tiny silica spheres. This composition creates its color play. That’s why you can see flashes of red, blue, green, yellow, and more colors on this stone.
When it comes to opal, there are two main types. One is a precious opal, with a play-of-color. Secondly one is a common opal, which is a dull stone with no flashes. Most buyers want precious opal, like Australian black opal or fiery Bolivian opal. Opals come from places like
Around 90% of the world’s opal supply comes from Ethiopia, Mexico, and Brazil. In fact, Australia produces the world’s best black opals, which are known for their color play. However, quality matters a lot when selecting opals. That’s because opals can crack, fade, or lose color if mishandled. A good one lasts a lifetime; a bad one disappoints quickly. Now, let’s get to the checks.
Why Opal Quality Varies So Much
Opals aren’t uniform. Their value swings wildly, from $10 per carat for cheap stone (common opal) to $10,000+ for museum-grade pieces. The reason behind this is simple. Factors such as light play, body color, and stability determine the pricing of an opal. When you get an opal from reputable brands like Gemstones for Sale, they usually disclose all such information. It helps you understand the pricing and know what you are paying for.
Cheap opals might look pretty under store lights but go flat at home. On the other hand, high-quality ones dazzle from any angle. Factors like mining location affect quality as well. Places such as Lightning Ridge, Australia, yields dark-bodied gems with vivid color.
Now, let’s talk about the Ethiopian opals. They are colorful but often hydrophane. It means that these opals can absorb water and crack easily. That’s why you should always buy from trusted sellers who share origin details.
Pro tip: Avoid “treated” opals unless disclosed as they’re soaked in sugar or smoke for fake color.
The Star Feature: Play-of-Color
One of the most popular features of an opal is its color play. When you look at an opal, it should have vivid, neon-like flashes that beat the pastel glow. To check this, simply hold the stone to light and check the color play. If the effect is visible, then it shows that the opal is of a good quality.
Another thing to check here is pattern. You should go for opals that have broad, rolling flashes (like honeycombs or ribbons). These are considered premium. On the other hand, opals with a pinfire pattern (tiny dots) are common and cheaper.
Besides these two factors, you should also check color variety. Opals with a full rainbow such as red, orange, blue, and green flashes are considered the best. However, red flashes on black opals are ultra-rare and pricey. Thus, such opals fetch higher prices in the market and are difficult to get as well.
Before making the purchase, ensure to check the opal under different lights, such as daylight, LED, incandescent. After all, a great play-of-color makes opal worth the splurge. Just make sure to skip stones with just a faint shimmer.
Body Color and Background
Body color is the stone’s base tone without flashes. For example, a black opal has a dark body (black, gray). It makes colors pop like stars in the night sky. Hence, this variety is quite expensive. On the other hand, there is light or white opal. It has a milky base, where the colors are softer and less intense. This opal type is available easily in the market and is budget-friendly. Then we have a boulder opal. It’s a natural ironstone attached to an opal.
In short, the darker the body, the higher the price. A black opal with red fire might cost 10x a white one of the same size. Inspect closely and ensure that there is no milky haze or cloudiness.
Final Words
Opals range from see-through to opaque varieties. The ideal stone should be semi-translucent with a visible color play. When getting this stone, ensure that the color flashes are vibrant. Another thing to check for is the origin. You can seek such details from the seller’s platform as well. Some websites also provide detailed listings and gem certification. These help you pick the right opal.