Opal

Opal Quality & Price

Opal quality assessment is unique and different from other gemstones — it is primarily determined by the nature and intensity of its play of colour, rather than just colour and clarity. Understanding these quality factors will help you select the finest Australian Opal for your astrological and personal needs.

Opal Quality — The Key Quality Factors

Play of Colour — The Most Important Factor

Play of colour is the single most important and unique quality factor for Opal. It refers to the dynamic, shifting display of spectral colours — red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet — that appear as the stone is moved in the light. In the Indian astrological gemstone market, this is commonly referred to as 'fire' or 'iridescence' — and it is the primary basis on which Opal is valued and described:

• Fire Opal — Opal displaying a vivid, fiery play of colour — most prized for astrological use
• White Opal with Fire — White-bodied Opal with strong play of colour — most popular category
• Fiery Opal — Opal with intense, bright iridescence across the stone's surface
• Double Fire Opal — Exceptionally fine Opal with particularly intense, multi-coloured play of colour — the most prized and expensive category

The more vivid, varied, and evenly distributed the play of colour across the stone's surface, the higher its quality and price. Red fire within the play of colour is the rarest and most prized colour component.

Body Colour

The body colour of Opal is the base colour of the stone — independent of the play of colour. For White Opal (most common for astrological use), the body should be a clean, milky white. A pure, bright white body colour provides the best contrast for the play of colour and is the most preferred for astrological rings and pendants. Yellowish, greyish, or dull body colour reduces quality.

Pattern of Play of Colour

The pattern in which the play of colour is distributed across the stone's surface also affects quality. Desirable patterns include broad flash (large, bold flashes of colour), harlequin (rare mosaic-like patches), and rolling fire (colours that seem to roll across the surface as the stone moves). An even, well-distributed pattern across the entire stone is more valuable than a patchy or localised display of colour.

Shape & Cut

Australian Opal for astrological use is typically fashioned as a smooth cabochon — oval, round, or cushion shape. A well-proportioned, symmetrical cabochon with a good dome height maximises the display of play of colour. For astrological rings and pendants, an oval or round cabochon in an open-back setting allows maximum stone-to-skin contact for effective planetary energy channelling.

Finish & Lustre

A high-quality Australian Opal should have a smooth, well-polished surface with a bright, vitreous to waxy lustre. The finish directly affects how the play of colour is displayed — a well-polished stone shows its fire more brilliantly and vividly. Scratches, pits, or rough areas on the surface reduce quality and the visual impact of the play of colour.

Transparency

White Opal used for astrological purposes is typically opaque to translucent. The degree of translucency affects the depth and intensity of the play of colour. A slightly translucent body with strong play of colour is considered very desirable. Crystal Opal — which is more transparent — can also display exceptional play of colour and is highly valued.

Opal Price in India — Per Carat (INR)

The price of Australian Opal in India is determined primarily by the quality and intensity of its play of colour, combined with shape, finish, and lustre. Here is a comprehensive price guide:

Opal Treatments & Imitations — What Every Buyer Must Know

Opal is one of the gemstones where buyers need to be particularly informed and cautious. Several treatments and assembled stones are common in the market — and can be easily confused with natural, solid Opal by uninformed buyers. Here is what you must know:

• Most Common in Market: Opal Doublets — Assembled Stone, Not Solid Natural Opal
  An Opal Doublet is an assembled stone consisting of a thin slice of natural Opal glued onto a dark backing material (usually black potch, ironstone, or glass). While doublets contain real Opal, they are not solid natural Opal gemstones and are significantly less durable and valuable. The dark backing artificially enhances the play of colour, making the stone appear more vivid than it would as a natural solid Opal. Doublets can be identified by examining the stone from the side — a visible join line between the Opal layer and the backing is the telltale sign. Doublets are not recommended for astrological use as they are not solid natural stones.
• Very Common — Avoid for Astrology: Opal Triplets — Three-Layer Assembled Stone
  An Opal Triplet is similar to a doublet but with an additional transparent protective cap (usually clear quartz or glass) placed on top of the Opal layer. Triplets appear even more brilliant than doublets due to the magnifying effect of the top cap, but contain only a very thin sliver of natural Opal. They are even less durable than doublets, susceptible to water penetration between the layers, and completely unsuitable for astrological use. Always ask whether an Opal is a solid natural stone, a doublet, or a triplet before purchasing.
• Completely Avoid: Synthetic Opal
  Synthetic Opal — created in a laboratory — has a very regular, uniform, and geometric play of colour pattern that looks almost too perfect when examined carefully. Natural Opal's play of colour has a more random, organic distribution. Synthetic Opal has no astrological value whatsoever. A basic gemological examination can easily identify synthetic Opal. Always insist on an independent laboratory certificate confirming natural origin.
• Know the Difference: Ethiopian Opal Misrepresented as Australian Opal
  Due to the significant price difference between Australian and Ethiopian Opal, Ethiopian Opal is sometimes sold as Australian Opal in the market. Ethiopian Opal is hydrophane — it absorbs water, temporarily changes its play of colour, and is significantly less durable for daily wear. Always insist on a laboratory certificate clearly stating geographic origin as Australia when purchasing Australian Opal from Shubh Gems or any other seller.
• Avoid: Surface Coating & Enhancement
  Some lower quality or pale Opals are coated with a film or resin to enhance their appearance or protect their surface. Coated stones are considered treated and have significantly reduced value. Always purchase Opal from a certified and reputed dealer who provides independent laboratory certification.