Look for a high "cabochon" (dome). It shows off the color better. 🚩 Watch for Red Flags
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.
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.
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.)?
Tiny cracks on the surface. These can eventually break the stone.
Used to make cheap Ethiopian opals look like Black Opals.
Look for a high "cabochon" (dome). It shows off the color better. 🚩 Watch for Red Flags
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.
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.
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.)?
Tiny cracks on the surface. These can eventually break the stone.
Used to make cheap Ethiopian opals look like Black Opals.
