![]() Large opals are typically more expensive than smaller opals. Other factors include thickness, polish and calibration. Opals that are asymmetrical or irregular fetch lower prices. Inclusions such as cracks, pits, crazing and potches lower their value. They can be composed entirely of opal or carry remnants of the host rock. Opals can be transparent, translucent or opaque. ClarityĬlarity includes factors like transparency, inclusions and type. These refer to the appearance of the stone in terms of how it reflects colors and how well it does so. ![]() Play-of-color, body tone/background, pattern and brightness. You may be used to the 4Cs with diamonds and rubies, but natural opals are graded and valued using somewhat different criteria. Opal scores 5.5-6.5 on the Mohs Hardness scale, and is one way to tell if opal is real. This means they fetch a much higher value, especially for rarer types like black opal. They are mined, polished, cut and sold in their natural state. Natural, or solid opal has not been treated or altered. This is more likely in environments of high temperature or extended low humidity. This is why opal reflects differently, giving its signature rainbow shimmer.īecause of their high water content, opals are extremely prone to cracking. Instead, they are clusters of amorphous hydrated silica, with a water content of between 3% and 21%, and are considered mineraloids. They lack the crystal structure that is required for that category, like obsidian, pearl and amber. Natural opals are not considered minerals. Mining also occurs in places like Hungary, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Honduras and western parts of the United States. Most of the world’s current opal supply is of Australian origin. Opals later became symbols of wealth and status, and the use of precious opal spread across the world. Historians date these discoveries to as early as 4000 B. While Australia has made opal their national gemstone, the first opals were actually discovered in Kenya and Ethiopia. Let’s discuss how Australia’s national gemstone has been mined, synthesized in labs and imitated. ![]() Rumors aside, let’s get into the facts and how to tell if opal is real. Many people don’t even know about this rumor! Some will never get caught near opal, others say it can only be worn by people born in October. ![]() Today, it’s safe to say that things have changed (somewhat). The goal was to get people to buy more diamonds! Unfortunately, opal was unable to shake off the bad press and sales drastically declined during the peak of these rumors. This vicious rumor is believed to have been started by De Beers, the world’s largest diamond corporation. This is interesting because, for a long time, opals were widely believed to be bad luck in the West. They wore them as necklaces to ward off evil and believed dreaming of opal meant good luck. First Nations people considered opals to be the footprints of the Creator on Earth. Opal is the national gemstone of Australia. Wherever it came from, it’s the name of one of nature’s most beautiful creations. Others say it’s from the Latin word ‘opalus’, meaning ‘precious jewel’. Some say we get the name ‘opal’ from the Greek word ‘opallius’, meaning ‘to see a change in color’, because they come in so many different colors. A lot of people wear/have synthetic and even imitation opals, and that’s perfectly fine.īut if you want to get your hands on real opal, this is what you need to know:: The story of opal If you’re interested in opal, it helps to know how to tell if opal is real. Though opal is considered soft, it’s still a great choice for delicate jewelry and statement pieces. There are many different types of opal, some worth more than others, and they occur naturally in many different colors. Opal is the birthstone of October, and is said to symbolize faithfulness and confidence.
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