White opals in cabochon cuts featured in a pair of stud earrings

Opal Guide

Opals contain a galaxy of colors—electric flashes of blue, iridescent strokes of hot pink, burning flames of orange and everything in between. Known as the Queen of Gems, opals are as diverse as the mystical range of colors each gem possesses. Opals attract love, enhance beauty and release inhibitions.

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What is an opal?

Opals are an amorphous form of silica, meaning they don’t have a crystalline structure like other gems. This distinct formation is found only in opals and creates an optical phenomenon of glittering rainbow prisms called play-of-color. The majority of opals are mined in Australia, but deposits are also found in Brazil, Ethiopia, Mexico and the United States. Opals are the birthstone for the month of October and the gemstone of the zodiac sign Libra.

: Opal Quick Guide
What to Look for in Opals?
Hardness & Wearability
Choosing the Right Opal Jewelry
Shop Popular Opal Jewelry
Famous Opal Gemstones
How to Care for Your Opal Jewelry
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Moonstone Buying Guide
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Ruby Buying Guide
Sapphire Buying Guide
Tanzanite Buying Guide

OPAL QUICK GUIDE

PRIMARY COLOR

Multi-colored

SECONDARY COLORS

Black
White
Orange

COMMON SHAPES

Cabochon

BIRTHSTONE MONTH

October

ZODIAC SIGN

Aquarius

CRPeters, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Cropped from original

Mineral:: Hydrated Silica
Origins:: Brazil, Ethiopia, Mexico, United States
Symbols:: Truth, Purity
Properties:: Freedom
Durability:: 5 to 6.5

Enhancements

Coated to alter surface consistency and durability

CARE

Special Gemstone Care: Do not use ultrasonic cleaning. Avoid sudden temperature changes, chemicals, perfume, cosmetics, and hairspray.

Similar Gemstones

Moonstone
Pearl
Chalcedony

What to Look for in Opals

When choosing an opal, pay attention to its play-of-color, pattern and intensity. Opals come in limitless colors, and no two opals look alike, so enjoy perusing the different varieties—the right one will pop out at you when you see it.

COLOR
Gemstone Color is often the most important factor in determining a gem’s value. Opals may display one or two colors or an entire rainbow. Opals are defined by the background color upon which the magical play-of-color dances. If the body of the opal is transparent, color patches can be seen below the surface. The main types of opals are:
Black Opal:
Black opals have a dark body that ranges from translucent to opaque. The contrast of opalescent rainbows shimmering against a dark background makes these gems highly sought after.
White Opal:
Sometimes called light opals, these light opals have a white or light grey body with iridescent flashes characteristic of opals.
Crystal Opal:
Crystal opals, also called water opals, are colorless and transparent to semi transparent with a rich play of color.
Fire Opal:
Also called sun opals, these gems have a yellow, orange or red body, sometimes with a vibrant green to lavender play of color.
Boulder Opal:
Boulder opals range from translucent to opaque with a stunning play of color. These opals contain fragments of the surrounding rock in the finished piece.
Look for an opal that has a brilliant luster and a beautiful pattern — also known as the arrangement of the play-of-color. Types of opal patterns include:
Pinpoint:
Identifiable by small, closely-set patches of color.
Harlequin:
Large, angular patches of color are signatures of harlequin opals.
Flame:
Sweeping reddish strokes fly across these gems.
Peacock:
Opals with mainly blue and green patches of color.
Learn About Color
CUT
The cut of a gemstone is what gives it symmetry and shows off the opal’s play-of-color and brilliance. Because of their amorphous structure, opals are commonly found in domed cabochon cuts, which highlight this gem’s spectral beauty and give opals a sturdiness worthy of engagement rings.
Learn About Cut
CLARITY
Gemstone clarity is determined by any inclusions embedded in the opal, such as fractures, pits, or other blemishes. An opal’s clarity is rated by its transparency, which ranges from clear to opaque. Different levels of clarity are prized depending on the background color of the opal.
Learn About Clarity
SIZE (CARAT)
While diamonds are valued based on carat weight, gemstone size is based on diameter in millimeters. Opals come in many different sizes, but larger opals tend to carry a higher price tag because they usually—but not always—have better play-of-color.
Learn About Size
ENHANCEMENT
Gemstone enhancements are used in most gemstones on the market today to improve the stone’s qualities. Opal enhancements may include an infusion of colorless oil, resin, wax, or other hardener to improve durability and bring out the luscious sheen of the stone. In some cases, opals that are thin or translucent will get a backing of some sort that adds rigidity and — depending on the opal — highlights its spectacular color play.
Learn About Enhancements

Hardness & Wearability

Opals are a delicate gem with a rating of 5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. This means that while opals make for stunning pieces of fine jewelry, they might not be suitable for everyday wear and require special care to stay in tip-top shape.

Choosing the Right Opal Jewelry

Opals will dazzle and delight in any metal, from romantic rose gold to imperishable platinum. As a softer gem, opals do well in protective bezel settings, which wrap the gemstone in metal, or in settings with a halo of diamonds or other gemstones that provide additional protection for the opal. Opal engagement rings are vulnerable to scratches and chips and should be worn with the utmost care to prevent these gentle gems from becoming marred.

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Famous Opal Gemstones

The ancient opal has long been imbued with magnificent and spellbinding properties. Zeus, King of Gods, was so happy when he defeated the Titans that he wept tears of opals. In the Middle Ages, the opal’s ever-shifting colors gave rise to a belief that they could turn the wearer invisible. The ‘Virgin Rainbow’ opal is one of the rarest opals, famous for its incredible fluorescence that allows it to glow in the dark. Today, opals have adorned the likes of Taylor Swift and Meghan Markel, and the mysterious black opal made an appearance in the blockbuster hit Uncut Gems.

How to Care for Your Opal Jewelry

Care for your opal jewels by storing them when you’re not wearing them and checking often for loose or damaged stones. Read our tips for caring for your gemstone jewelry, or let us do the cleaning for you with our complimentary cleaning and repair services on all of our jewelry.