How To Identify Fake Opal

The popularity of Opals has exploded in the last few years. Buyers always need to be on the look out and do their best at knowing how to identify fake Opal.

Many shops across the world carry Opal and sell them to the general public at a price point that is lower than Australian Opals. Many buyers do not have experience with this type of Opal and many of them think they are being sold a synthetic or a fake Opal. We will try to explain the best ways on how to identify fake Opal below.

1. Ethiopian Opals are mostly Hydrophane and do have a waxy different feel compared to other Opals. This can confuse new opal buyers. It is fine if the Opal feels like this.
2. Look closely at the pattern in the Opal. Fake Opal or synthetics will usually be ‘too perfect’ and look man made. A natural opal will have less systematic patterns. They will also sometimes have a difference of colour or brightness across the Opal.
3. Look for what gemologists call ‘Columnar’ structure or ‘snake skin’ pattern. Turn the Opal on it’s side and look for straight columns of color running vertically.This is the sign of a fake Opal.
4. Look at the shape of the Opal, even a polished natural Opal will not be perfectly round or oval. Many times fake Opal will be perfectly round in shape.
5. Always source your Opal from a reputable seller. We cannot stress this enough. A good seller will talk you through your potential purchase. Even if you are not happy with it they should always be willing to swap the Opal for a different one or discuss a refund.
6. Try your best to educate yourself before you buy. The more you know what a real Opal looks like the easier it will be to buy a real one.
7. If you can, ask the advice of a Gemologist to help you or find an Opal expert.

Below are examples of Natural Opals, note all the different patterns.

Below is a sample of what fake Opal looks like.

On Opal Auctions all of our sellers are verified and have knowledge about Opals.

Gilson Synthetic Opal

The most common form of synthetic Opal found on the market is the Gilson synthetic. This type of Opal has been around since 1974. It is created using Silica so it is a true synthetic version of natural Opal.

Chinese Synthetic Opal

This is the newest type of Synthetic to hit the market. It is made from a resin mixture so it is not a true Synthetic version of natural Opal. The pattern is very similar throughout the Opal. This is to be expected when something is manufactured. Natural Opal is unique and random while a manufactured product will be uniform.

Opal Auctions Rules

Vendors of Opals should follow these guidelines when trying to describe an Opal.

1. If the Opal is smoked, it has to be declared as smoked and not as Black Opal
2. Ethiopian Opal cannot be called Black Opal unless it is certified by an approved gem testing laboratory
3. If the Opal is treated in oil it has to be disclosed as a treated Opal
4. Dark base Ethiopian Opal is to be named as Dark Brown Opal
5. If the Opal is treated with Opticon or any other method of treatment, it has to be disclosed as treated.

If you are interested in the patterns found in Opal from Ethiopia please read this informative article about patterns written by GIA.

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