No two opals are alike. They may differ in color, shape, size, clarity, and, most importantly, quality. Whether you are looking for opal as an accessory or an astrological stone that can relieve many problems, quality comes first.
To
buy opal stone
, one must consider various factors that enhance their quality. These are also valuable gemstone assets. Thus this opal guide ensures some basics to invest your money safely.
Opal Quality Factors
Three major factors that evaluate the opal worth are:
- Color: Like all other colored gemstones, opal color is evaluated based on its body tone and play of colors. Body tone refers to the background color, which can be different for different types of opals. For instance, the body tone can be white,
pink, blue, colorless, grey, or black.
The play of colors is the most crucial factor in assessing the quality of these stones. Play of color in opals is an optical phenomenon where light refracts to give flashes of colors. The arrangement of silica spheres the stone
is composed of determines the intensity of this phenomenon. Read Here: Natural Opal Gemstone:- The Birthstone of October Month
Only precious opals are known to feature a “play of colors.” Black opals are considered rare and fine-quality
gemstone
with an intense play of colors due to their dark background.
- Brightness: Bright colors of opals are highly valued. The brightness ranges from brilliant and bright to subdued or dull.
- Size and Cut: Precision of cut is only required when these gems display a striking play of color. Oval is the most common cut for these gems. However, if you are looking for the best yet mesmerizing opal cuts, they are marquise and pear.
- Clarity: Clarity is visible inclusions in a gem. Higher inclusions degraded the quality of the gem. Other blemishes in
opal gemstone
include crazing and cracks. Both of these are types of fracturing, but there is a slight difference. Crazing resembles a web-like network inside the gem, whereas cracks are on the surface. Both crazing and cracking reduce the opal quality.
- Patterns: Opal worth is determined by distinct patterns. Out of all the patterns present naturally in the stone is the Harlequin pattern. Black opals with this particular pattern are considered expensive.
Also Read: Types of Opal: Why Should You Own One?
What is the Quality Grade of Opals
|
Opal Grade
|
Percentage Found
|
Characteristics
|
|
AAA
|
Less than 1%
|
Finest quality with intense play-of-color, Premium Price, Best for high end jewelry. High quality opals
|
|
AA
|
Around 5%
|
Bright play of color
|
|
A
|
20% – 30%
|
Moderate color play
|
|
B
|
30% – 40%
|
Weak Color play
|
|
C
|
25% – 35%
|
No play of color, Low Grade opals
|
How to Tell if an Opal is Real
The characteristic feature of precious opals that makes them different from other gemstones is their play of color. If you find gems with no play of color sold in the names of opals, then they are fake.
However, there are common opals available in the market that do not show any play of colors. They are translucent and opaque and are low-quality gems.
Opals are not hard and can be scratched easily. Triplets and Doublets opals are available
in the market which are composite gems. These are created with a thin layer of real opal combined with quartz or onyx. Compared to solid opals, these composite counterparts are less valuable. While buying these gems always ask for a certificate from reputed
laboratories. The certificate will only identify whether opal is natural, synthetic or fake.
Read Here:
Australian Opal vs Ethiopian Opal: Difference & Benefits
Is Opal a Good Investment
There are various reasons why these gems are considered a good investment. Firstly, the unique play of color makes them stand out from the rest. This makes them a desirable option for one-of-a-kind
jewelry
.
They are also a popular diamond alternative for
engagement rings
. Australian and black opals are highly valuable and best for investment. The intense iridescence shown by these gems is unmatched.
Apart from being the best jewelry option, these gems are also culturally significant. In India, people buy opal
to strengthen the Shukra (Venus) planet. Wearing an
opal stone ring
on the ring finger is said to bring marital harmony and luck.
Read Here: Does Opal Help in Getting Married? To conclude,
if you are looking for unique jewelry gemstones or an astrological need, buy quality opals from Navratan.
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