Dubbed “Queen of Gems” by William Shakespeare in his play “Twelfth Night,” opals, a precious gemstone rich in color, have long been considered a symbol of hope. In the past, people also attributed strange and supernatural powers to opals. Today opal jewelry makes a great gift for people born in October, those celebrating 14th wedding anniversaries, and those who just want something unique. On eBay, you’ll find a large selection of beautiful and interesting opal rings, opal necklaces, opal earrings, and opal bracelets available in a variety of colors and styles.
Discover Different Types of Opals
Opals can be found in a range of colors, from light or white opals to more rare and valuable black opals. Before you start shopping for opal jewelry, learn a little about the many types of opals, how to identify them, and how they relate to each other in value.
* Black opal: Black opals have a rare body tone that often features an impressive play of color.
* White opal: More common white, or milky opals, do not reflect color as well as black opals and often cost less.
* Boulder opal: Boulder opals, mined in Queensland, Australia, are precious opals formed in siliceous ironstone concretions or boulders.
* Matrix opal: Matrix opals have opal diffused throughout a host rock.
* Crystal opal: Crystal opals, a type of transparent opal that tends to reflect a fair amount of color, rank under the black opal in terms of rarity and value.
* Fire opal: Rare red-orange fire opals primarily found in the Mexican highlands are popular for their eye-catching color.
* Synthetic and imitation opals: Synthetic and imitation opals are more affordable man-made substitutes for the real thing. They usually appear glassier than natural opals and have a precise and organized color scheme, typically in a snakeskin pattern.
* Doublets and triplets: Part natural, part man-made, doublet opals and triplet opals combine natural fine opal with a darker backing made out of materials such as potch or ironstone and are made to resemble black opals. Triplet opals are much like doublets, but have a top layer of quartz covering the fine opal.
Determine the Value of Opals
Much like valuing a diamond or other gemstone, several factors help determine the value of an opal.
* Play of color: The range of hues an opal reflects plays an important role in determining value. Opals that flash red hold a higher value than more common stones that have a green or blue hue.
* Pattern: Evocative terms such as harlequin, fire, and peacock describe the unique interplay of color in an opal.
* Brilliance: The amount of light an opal reflects and the hue it reflects factor into an opal’s value. The most valuable opals show brilliant flashes of color. Lesser-quality opals have dull or subdued colors.
* Color bar: The thickness of the opal layer containing color corresponds to value. Opals with a thicker color bar typically hold a higher value.
* Body tone: The underlying color of an opal determines rarity and factors into its value. Black opals, being very rare, are most valuable. White opals, the most common opals, often hold the least value. Light gray, gray, and semi-black opals fall in the middle in terms of value.
* Faults: Opals with cracks, inclusions, or other faults become less valuable.
Natural opals examined by an expert should come with a certificate of authenticity outlining these qualities.
How to Maintain Your Opal Jewelry
Relatively fragile, opals require proper care to withstand the tests of time. In addition to advice from your jeweler, consider the following points:
* Opals do not react well to extreme temperatures. When you clean opals with water, do not use hot or boiling water. Also, try not to expose the stone to freezing or very hot temperatures.
* Assembled opals such as doublets and triplets use adhesive to keep the layers together. Submerging them in water can result in a murky appearance. When cleaning opals, use a damp, soft cloth and mild cleanser—no bleach, harsh chemicals, or abrasive agents that could scratch the stone.
* Opals should be stored in a soft bag made of cloth to maintain their quality and shine. If you plan to store your opal for an extended time, seal it in a plastic bag with slightly dampened cotton wool to help the stone retain its natural moisture and avoid cracking.
If something happens to your stone, especially cracking or loss of luster, consult a professional to have your opal properly restored.
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Asta Qauliyah, a freelance blogger from SEA. Just try to do the best with blogging, share experience and making money from it.
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