Opal stone

Types of Opal Stones

• Precious Opal

  Precious opal is the most commonly found type in the market today and is characterized by its play-of-color. The body tone of precious opal gemstones can range from milky white to deep black. It features vibrant colors like red, blue, green, or yellow as they scatter light within the stone. This type of opal is usually used for an opal stone ring, pendant, or earrings.

• Fire Opal

  Fire opal is a transparent or translucent variety of opal usually ranging in color from yellow to orange or red. They often have a warm, fiery appearance, which is why they were called fire opal. Buyers should note that not all fire opals show color play. Some only exhibit a solid, vibrant hue. Fire opals are mainly sourced from Mexico and the United States.

• Boulder Opal

  Boulder opal is mined within ironstone boulders, which gives it a unique character. The opal forms in thin veins or patches within the host rock, resulting in striking contrasting patterns. The most common type of boulder opal features a predominantly brown color from the ironstone combined with vibrant blue and green colors. On rare occasions, the copper within the stones can produce reds and purples.

• Black Opal

  As the name suggests, black opal has a dark body tone which makes the play of color within it more vivid and striking. It is among the rarest types of opals and tends to be highly prized. Black opal predominantly comes from Lightning Ridge in Australia. Depending on the colors displayed, the stone's appearance can range from a deep blue to green or red.

• White Opal

  White opal has a light body tone usually ranging from milky white to pale cream or light grey. While it doesn’t show the same intensity of colors as black opal, it still displays brilliant colors and can appear in shades of red, green, or blue. White opal is more readily available than other types, so buyers looking for opal stone jewelry should consider this type of opal.

• Cat's Eye Opal

  Cat's eye opal is a unique variety of opal that features a distinct ray or line of light running across its surface. This phenomenon is called chatoyancy and can resemble a cat's eye when viewed from the front. Chatoyancy occurs in opals containing fine, parallel silk-like fibers. It is a rare opal variety usually used in making statement rings and jewelry.

Opal Stone Designs And Styles

• Ball Opal

  As the name suggests, the ball opal is shaped like a sphere. The stone's play-of-color and brilliance can be viewed from multiple angles when carved into a ball. This allows for the entire surface to be polished evenly. Many people use ball opals to make stunning pendants, earrings, or displays, as they are often small for wearable items.

• Opal Triplet

  Opal triplets consist of three distinct layers that are bonded together. The bottom layer is often made of a dark material to enhance the stone's brilliance and contrast. The middle layer is a thin opal slice and is topped with a clear, protective layer, usually made from glass or quartz. This design enhances the stone's play-of-color and durability, making it ideal for jewelry exposed to daily wear.

• Bipyramidal Crystals

  This design includes opals shaped into bipyramidal crystals with two pyramid-shaped ends. It gives the stone a geometric and edgy look. This design highlights the stone's natural crystal structure and shows off its play-of-color from multiple facets. Many buyers use these stones in jewelry incorporating other geometric elements or as standalone display pieces.

• Mexican Opal Skull

  One of the most notable features of the Mexican opal skull design is its vibrant colors, which can range from orange to yellow or even blue. The opal's translucency also gives the skull a luminous quality. Opal skulls are primarily used as decorative items and often feature intricate details highlighting the opal's inner patterns.

• Pave Opal Jewelry

  Pave opal jewelry consists of small opal gemstones set closely together, filling an entire surface or area. This technique was done to create a visually striking and textured appearance featuring a play-of-color across the piece. It can be used in various jewelry items, including rings, bracelets, earrings, and pendants.

• Solid Opal Doublets

  This is a design where a layer of solid opal is bonded to a backing material, usually a slice of another gemstone or darkened glass. This design helps provide a thicker stone while maintaining the vibrant appearance of the opal on the surface. Many buyers look for this design when purchasing jewelry that showcases the stone's unmatched beauty.

Opal Stone Industry Trends

Knowing the trends in the opal gemstone industry will help buyers make better purchasing decisions. Here are some of those trends to consider:

• Lab-Created Opals

  Lab-created opals are becoming increasingly popular as they allow for greater control over the stone's colors and patterns and reduce environmental impacts. They also tend to be less expensive without sacrificing beauty, making them accessible to a wider market. As awareness of these benefits spreads, more consumers and retailers are considering lab-created opals as a sustainable and ethical alternative to natural ones.

• Increasing Demand for Fire Opals

  Fire opals are increasingly gaining popularity thanks to their vibrant colors and warm tones, which make them stand out in any jewelry collection. More and more consumers look for unique and rare opals, which are a relatively affordable option for distinctive opals. As knowledge and appreciation of fire opals grow, their demand will likely escalate further.

• Custom and Personalized Opal Jewelry

  The trend towards personalized and custom jewelry is reshaping how opals are used in designs. Customers increasingly seek pieces with personal meanings, birthstones, or custom-cut opals that reflect individual stories and values. Jewelers respond to this demand by offering bespoke services that allow clients to create unique, meaningful pieces featuring opals.

• Unisex and Gender-Neutral Jewelry

  Unisex and gender-neutral jewelry featuring opals is becoming more popular as consumers increasingly abandon traditional gendered designs in favor of versatile pieces. Opals, with their diverse colors and styles, can be easily incorporated into a wide range of jewelry that appeals to all customers regardless of gender. This trend is driven by changing social norms and the desire for more inclusive self-expression through jewelry.

• Higher Opal Quality Standards

  With increased demand has come a push for higher quality standards in the opal industry. Consumers have become more discerning about the origin, cut, and clarity of the stones they purchase. As a result, reputable dealers in the industry prioritize providing detailed information on these attributes and collaborating with trusted sources to ensure they supply only the best opals available.

How To Choose Opal Stones

By following the tips below, buyers can source high-quality opals suitable for various jewelry applications.

• Assess Opal Quality Based on Types

  Precious opal is often valued more due to its play of color. Fire opal is also highly prized, especially the red variety, which is not easy to find. Black opal is another highly valued opal because it highlights the colors within it. Opals with rare patterns like boulder opal and matrix opal are also highly sought after. Buyers should also consider the origin of the opal, as locations like Lightning Ridge in Australia are renowned for producing high-quality stones.

• Assess Opal Quality Based on Appearance

  Opal gemstones with more brightness and sharper color display are more desirable because they have better-play color. Buyers should also get stones with better color range, as those with multiple colors within them result in a stunning visual appeal. Opals with distinctive patterns or internal features like "fire" or "cactus" will also be excellent conversation starters. Lastly, the clarity and absence of surface flaws will improve the average appeal of the stone.

• Consider the Opal's Shape and Cut

  How an opal is cut and shaped contributes to its beauty and value. Buyers should go for well-shaped opals that retain most of their roughness. A skilled cut ensures the play of color is optimally displayed from multiple angles. Common shapes for opal jewelry include cabochons for rings and pendants, while beads and earrings often feature smaller opals in various cuts.

• Decide Between Natural and Treated Opals

  Natural opals are the most sought after and are valued for their authenticity. However, there are treatments like stabilizing and coating that enhance the stone's quality. Buyers need to know that treated opals are usually less valuable than natural ones, even when they closely resemble them. When purchasing natural opals, buyers should get certificates confirming that the stones have not undergone treatments or enhancements.

• Match Opals with Different Settings

  The opal's size and shape should complement the setting for the piece of jewelry. A well-matched opal in a setting like gold or sterling silver can enhance the stone's vibrant colors and unmatched beauty. Larger opals should be used in pendants or statement rings, while smaller ones are better suited for earrings or charms.

Q&A

Q. How can buyers tell if an opal is natural or synthetic?

One of the easiest ways to determine if an opal is natural or synthetic is by examining its inclusions. Natural opals have unique internal patterns or imperfections, while synthetic ones may have fewer or no inclusions. Additionally, lab-created opals often have a more uniform appearance. Conducting a refractive index test and purchasing stones from reputable dealers who provide certification are two other great ways to ensure the opal is genuine.

Q. Are all opals suitable for everyday wear?

Not all opals are suitable for everyday wear. While opals like boulder opal are more durable than others due to being embedded in ironstone, most opals have a hardness ranging between 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale. This means they are relatively softer than gemstones like sapphires or diamonds and can be scratched over time. Additionally, opals with lower water content are more durable and suitable for daily-use items.

Q. What is the significance of opal in different cultures?

Opals have been used by various cultures to symbolize hope and purity, as well as protection and healing. Ancient Egyptians believed opals were divine and offered eternal life. To the Romans, they represented the flame's beauty. By the Victorian Era, opals were considered a lucky gemstone. Despite some believing it brought misfortune if not a birthstone, most cultures regarded it as a symbol of love and fidelity.

Q. Are treated opals worth purchasing?

Yes, treated opals are worth purchasing, especially for those on a more affordable opal budget. Opals that have been treated are more affordable since they are not natural. Buyers should note that treated opals, like those coated or stabilized, are noticeably improved in appearance and quality. However, they are often less valuable than untreated ones. To ensure the best purchase, buyers should get clearly labeled information about any treatments on the stones they purchase so they can honestly market them.