Opal Lexicon

Synthetic opal: how to spot it, and its value

Synthetic opal consists of the same silica spheres as a natural opal, but grows in about a year in the laboratory. How you recognise it for sure under the loupe, what it is worth, how it must be la...

Opalite is glass, not opal: how to tell

Opalite is art glass with a milky blue shimmer and is often sold as opal at flea markets and marketplaces. The article shows the traits that give it away, clears up the mix-up with natural milky op...

Is opal fragile? Hardness, cracks and water

An opal does not shatter at the first knock, but it reacts to two things: quartz dust that scratches it, and sudden dryness that draws cracks. What that means for ring, necklace and daily life is h...

Opal or Moonstone? How to Tell Them Apart

Both shimmer and yet they are not related. How to tell opal and moonstone apart at a glance, and which one suits you.

Opal Doublet and Triplet: Structure and Value

An opal doublet and an opal triplet bring genuine play of colour to your skin without you paying the price of a solid opal.

How to Tell if an Opal Is Real: 5 Reliable Signs

In most cases you can tell a real opal with the naked eye, a bit of light and a few simple checks. You do not need to be a gemmologist.

Opal Types: All Opals Compared

There are many types of opal, and few gemstones are as varied as opal. Which type comes from where, how they differ and which one suits you, you will see...

How Much Is an Opal Worth?

What an opal is worth comes down to a few traits: play of colour, body tone and authenticity first.