Buying an opal is like purchasing a piece of a rainbow. Unlike traditional faceted gems, opals are valued for their —a shimmering, multi-coloured fire caused by light diffracting off microscopic silica spheres. 1. Know the Primary Types
: Transparent or semi-transparent stones where the play-of-colour appears to dance within the body of the gem. buy opal stone
: The most common and affordable. It has a pale or white body tone with softer, pastel-coloured flashes. Buying an opal is like purchasing a piece of a rainbow
: Australian opals (from places like Lightning Ridge) are globally renowned for their brilliance and durability. Ethiopian opals are stunning and often more affordable but are frequently "hydrophane" (absorbent), meaning they can temporarily lose their colour if soaked in water. 3. Buying Tips & Authenticity Opal Quality Factors | Types of Opal - GIA Know the Primary Types : Transparent or semi-transparent
: This is the #1 value driver. Look for vivid, multi-coloured flashes (especially red, which is the rarest) that are visible from all angles.
: Famous for its warm, fiery orange-red base colour. Unlike others, these are often faceted and may or may not show play-of-colour. 2. Essential Quality Factors
: Graded from N1 (black) to N9 (white). Generally, the darker the base, the more valuable the stone.