Look at the side. Straight, glued lines mean it's a composite. Pattern and Shape The way the color is arranged affects the price. Harlequin: Large, distinct squares of color. Rarest. Pinfire: Tiny dots of color. Common. Flash: Large blocks of color that blink on and off.
Tiny cracks on the surface. These can eventually break the stone.
To buy a high-quality opal, focus on , body tone , and authenticity . A valuable stone should have a vibrant "play-of-color" visible from all angles without any visible cracks or inclusions. ✨ Brightness: The #1 Factor The "play-of-color" is everything. Scale of 1 to 5. Aim for 4 or 5. Vibrancy matters. A bright stone beats a large, dull one. Red is rarest. It commands the highest prices. Blue/Green is common. These are more affordable. Determine the Body Tone This refers to the background color of the stone. Black Opal: Darkest base. Makes colors pop. Most expensive. Grey/Semi-Black: Mid-range. Great value for the look. how to buy opals
Too perfect. Patterns look "snakeskin" or repetitive.
Used to make cheap Ethiopian opals look like Black Opals. Look at the side
Transparent. Colors look like they are floating. Check the Construction Not all opals are solid pieces of stone. Solids: 100% natural opal. Best for investment. Doublets: A thin slice of opal glued to a dark backing. Triplets: Opal slice with a clear quartz/glass cap.
Milky base. Softer, more feminine appearance. Harlequin: Large, distinct squares of color
Some opals absorb water and lose color temporarily. If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know: What is your budget range ? Do you have a favorite color (Fire red, ocean blue, etc.)?