How to Identify Opal: A Comprehensive Guide to Tell If An Opal Is Real or Fake

Opal is a popular gift for people born in October, as it has been the October birthstone or a striking main stone in an opal ring. However, the market is seeing an increase in counterfeit opal, which is difficult to distinguish. Want to know how to identify an opal to know if it is real or fake? You are on the right track! Come with Juyoyo to learn the identical ways of opal and check if the opal is real! In this blog, you will learn 9 ways to tell if an opal is real or fake!

• 1.Look for Play of Color
• 2.Check the Body Tone
• 3.Observe the Surface Texture
• 4.Testing Transparency
• 5.Opal Hardness Test
• 6.Identify Synthetic Opal
• 7.Consider the Price
• 8.Additional Tips to Examine Opal Is Real or Fake
• Conclusion

1. Look for Play of Color

The most important characteristic to tell if an opal is real or fake is to check its "play of color". A genuine opal can change color when viewed from different angles. This is caused by the diffraction of light as it passes through the stone, a phenomenon known as adularescence. The colors range from blues, greens, and reds to pinks, oranges, and purples. The more vivid and varied the colors, the higher the quality of the opal.  

2. Check the Body Tone

There are many background colors of opal, including white, black, crystal, fire, or other colors. The body color will affect the color play and value of the opal. A true opal type includes black opal, white opal, crystal opal, fire opal, and Ethiopian opal. White opal or crystal opal is usually a genuine solid opal. If the body color of your opal is not included in these 6 types of opal, it is likely to be fake opal.

3. Observe the Surface Texture

Genuine opals typically have a smooth, waxy texture that feels polished to the touch. A counterfeit or imitation opal will have a rough or grainy surface. Genuine opal has a consistent and relatively flawless surface throughout the stone. It will have a cohesive texture with no irregularities or rough patches.

4. Testing Transparency

Opals can vary from transparent to opaque. More valuable opals tend to be more transparent, allowing light to pass through to see the color play more clearly. Genuine opals should appear natural and avoid excessive clarity or opacity.

5. Opal Hardness Test

Testing the hardness of an opal is one of the most effective ways to know if an opal is genuine. Opals are between 5.5 and 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them relatively hard stones for everyday use. A genuine opal should be scratch-resistant and not easily damaged. If an opal can be easily scratched by rubbing it, it is likely to be a fake opal.

It is recommended that you try other ways to tell the authenticity of opals before testing the hardness, as this may cause some damage to your gemstone.

6. Identify Synthetic Opal

Is synthetic opal fake opal? No, synthetic opal is not considered fake opal in the same way as imitation or counterfeit opal. It is also known as lab-created opal or man-made opal, a genuine opal material that has been created in a laboratory to replicate the chemical composition and physical properties of natural opal. Synthetic opals are mainly divided into doublets and triplets. Doublets and triplets are considered real opal but are not solid opal stones. Synthetic opal can be a more affordable and accessible alternative to natural genuine opal.

• A doublet has two layers - a thin slice of precious opal attached to a backing material that is generally dark in color. The dark backing can make the play of colors appear more brilliant. However, doublets can be more susceptible to damage, especially along the seam where the opal layer joins the backing.
• A triplet has three layers - a thin slice of precious opal, a backing, and a transparent or protective overlay. The capping layer can protect the precious opal. However, the color play in a triplet may be limited or restricted to a specific area.

7. Consider the Price

When authenticating an opal, one of the quickest tests is to compare the price. If the opal is being sold at a considerably lower price than similar opals on the market, this could be a red flag. Familiarize yourself with the current market value of an opal by comparing several shopping sites. If the price seems unusually low compared to the market value, it could raise suspicions.

Before making a purchase, it can be beneficial to shop around. Compare prices from several reputable sources. You can buy with confidence at Juyoyo. Juyoyo is a reputable jeweler that sells various exquisite gemstone jewelry, including natural real opal rings or synthetic opal rings. You can choose or customize one you like at an affordable price! Don't hesitate to add one to your shopping cart!

8. Additional Tips to Examine Opal Is Real or Fake

8.1 Seek Professional Help

Many fake opals are so real that it is difficult to see the subtle differences with the naked eye. The best way to tell which opal is real is to consult a professional gemologist or jeweler who can provide an expert opinion. They can accurately examine and evaluate your opal using specialized equipment such as a refractometer or spectroscope.

8.2 Compare to Known Authentic Opals

If you have a piece of opal jewelry that is known to be authentic, you can compare the play of color, body tone, and surface texture between the authentic and the tested piece. Authentic opals often have a unique color play that is unique to each stone. Their surface is smooth and polished, while fake opals may feel rough or artificially lustrous.

Conclusion

Hopefully, with the methods mentioned above, you will have a basic knowledge of how to tell if an opal is genuine or not. Before buying a piece of opal jewelry, you should first check its color play, surface, body color, and other key factors. The most important thing is to buy from a reputable jeweler - Juyoyo is a reputable and professional jeweler where you can buy real opal! If you have any questions about opals, please feel free to contact us!

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