Gemstones, without a doubt, are one of the most marvelous and bodacious creations of the almighty. Though some people deny the vitality and robust aspects of gemstones, the truth is since time immemorial, people from different civilizations have been embracing gemstones for satiating a multitude of purposes. Be it adding more lavishness to your status symbol or dealing with physical or metaphysical issues, uncountable people and astrologers consider gemstones as the one-stop solution for everything.
One of the biggest obstructions that most individuals face when roping in a gemstone is testing its authenticity. To check the originality of a gemstone like opal stone, one requires thorough knowledge of gemstones and different methodologies used to check the originality of a gemstone. Opal is one of the most fascinating and valuable semi-precious gemstones in existence. The demand for opal gemstones in the international markets is so massive that many sellers sell either shoddy quality or replicas of opals to rake money. Thus, one must know different time-tested methods to tell if an opal is real and rope in only the genuine product.
In this comprehensive blog post, we have stated umpteen methods that satiate the most cliche query on opal “How to tell if an opal is real” that will surely help our valued readers to develop a thorough understanding on checking the originality of an opal stone.
Table of Contents
Different Ways to Check If An Opal is Real
Check for The Play of Colors
Determining an opal’s authenticity can be quite a tricky task but its mesmerizing dance of colors gives a major clue about its authenticity. As you turn a real opal, silica spheres inside the opal scatter incoming light into a rainbow of iridescent flashes gliding across its face. This dazzling display, called adularescence, arises from the gem’s intricate internal structure.
On the other hand, A synthetic opal stone typically appears lifeless and muted in comparison, without the kaleidoscopic sparkle. To test an opal yourself, observe how it interacts with light – does it produce a captivating flurry of changing hues, or does it fail to ignite? Let the stone’s reaction guide you in discerning true opal from clever knockoff. The vibrant play of color signifies an opal formed by nature’s hand alone and is real.
Don’t Forget to Check: – Opal Stone Benefits
Inspect The Base of Opal
The base of a real opal stone reveals its true origins. While the crown of an opal glitters with iridescent fire, flip the gem over to inspect its base. A natural opal forms imperfectly, its foundation etched rough with rivulets left from ancient flows of silica-rich water. This irregular surface resembles a miniature canyon, shaped by the chaotic forces of crystallization.
An artificial double appears flawless in comparison, its even bottom betraying manufacturing by modern tools. Beware too if the base seems artificially smoothed or streamlined, as genuine opals remain in their natural state. Let the opal’s base serve as your guide, its ragged edges and bumpy landscape signaling a gem birthed untamed from the earth. With a discerning eye, the truth presents itself beneath each stone’s glittering facade.
Check The Gemstone Hardness
An opal’s softness betrays its authenticity under pressure. Real opals rate only 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them vulnerable to scratching. You can test an opal yourself using a simple object like a knife. Gently drag the metal across the surface of the stone. If the opal is genuine, this motion will likely leave behind a scratch or scuff mark marring its face. An imitation opal, like glass or plastic, will withstand the friction unblemished. While a real opal gleams with rainbow hues, its structure remains fragile. The presence of new scratches proves the opal’s composition lacks mineral hardness, as would be expected from a product of nature rather than man-made means. With a basic tool, the true opal reveals itself by the mark left behind.
Never Miss: – How to Tell If A Ruby is Real
Inspect the Stone’s Surface
An opal’s appearance offers visual clues to its authenticity. Genuine opals possess a smooth and almost greasy surface that reflects light softly. Holding the stone up, one can easily see a faint glow permeating its depths and giving a subtle hint about its translucency. The opal’s body tone – its underlying color apart from any play of rainbow hues – will be a pure, clean white.
This whiteness comes from the tiny silica spheres that give opals their signature fire. An artificial stone may lack the opal’s waxy feel or show an unusual body tone like blue or gray. Examining the surface and peering into the body of the gem can help discern real opal from skilled copies. Trust the stone that displays the opal’s classic signs – the creamy glow, semitransparent body, and authentic white heart.
Look for The Price
An opal gemstone price can raise red flags about its authenticity. Natural opals are rare commodities that command hefty prices, especially those opals exhibiting top play-of-color. If an opal seems underpriced given its apparent quality, it must be a solid reason to arise suspicion. However, beware of crafty sellers who bank on buyers equating high prices with authenticity. Counterfeit opals exist that mimic the rainbow sparkle of real stones while lacking their internal structure. Verify the opal through other means before any purchase. Seek reputable dealers who provide certification, and learn to spot an opal’s distinctive features yourself.
Also Read: – How To Tell If A Sapphire Is Real?
Check for Doublets and Triplets
Opal imposters hide behind veneers of authenticity. Some counterfeits consist of two or three wafer-thin layers that are artificially fused. A bottom layer acts as the body, while the top provides a flash. Sandwiched in-between lies the smoking gun: a dark backing laminated to enhance play-of-color. Turn a suspect stone over. If confronted with black adhesive rather than the rough natural surface, you’ve likely got a synthetic opal stone. No true opal reveals such uniformity. Instead, scrutinize the gem for a rugged bottom matching the stone’s genesis within uncompromising bedrock.
Always Be Aware of Synthetic Opals
Beware of opals created in laboratories and not naturally. To dupe buyers, some sellers offer manufactured “fire opals” and “lab-created opals” in the name of genuine gemstones. While flashing scintillating hues, these synthetic imposters lack the true complexity that arises from natural forces over a prolonged period of time. If an opal’s authenticity is in doubt, seek a jeweler’s expert eye. Let them scan for telltale manufacturing signs like uniform color patches or a perfect finish. Ask them to peer into the opal’s depths for the chaotic structures that develop spontaneously in nature alone. A genuine opal’s story lies within, written in complexity no human can yet replicate. While synthetic opals have their place, only the lapidary can discern an opal made by man from the unfathomable brilliance born solely of the earth.
Check Out: – How To Tell If An Emerald Is Real?
