Opal gemstones are one of the most beautiful and mesmerizing gems among all. Because of their wide range of qualities and their vibrant play of colors, they need proper guidance before purchasing. While buying opal stones online, you should ask the appropriate questions about them because you cannot inspect them physically. In this online opal gemstone guide, we have provided the top 10 questions that you should ask before buying opal gemstones. Read this through to find out some great opal gemstone buying tips.
1. Is the Opal Natural, Synthetic, or Composite?
It is very difficult to find out the actual quality of the opal stone just by seeing it on the website. You cannot differentiate whether they are natural, man-made, or composite opal stones, like doublet or triplet. They all have different values, like natural opal gemstones, which are made in nature over more than a million years, and they are more valuable. The synthetic opals are created in the labs, but they look almost like the natural ones. The doublets and triplets have a thin layer of opal and backing materials; they are more affordable and much less durable.
2. Where was the Opal sourced from?
You should ask the seller or check the product description for the origin of the opal stone. There is always a battle going on- Ethiopian vs Australian opals, which is better. The Australian opals are famous for their durable nature, while the Ethiopian opals are hygroscopic in nature, which means they absorb water, and they can also change their appearance. Knowing the origin of the opal stone before purchasing can help take care, like Ethiopian opals need Hydrophane Opal Care.
3. What type of Opal is it?
There are many types of opal stones available, like fire opal, black opal, white opal, crystal opal, and boulder opal. They all have different shapes, sizes, and values. You should always look for the opal type before purchasing them online or ask your seller about them. The black opal is generally the most valuable and rare.
4. How strong is the Play-of-color?
The Opal paly-of-color makes them more desirable and valuable. The strong flashes with multiple vibrant colors have more demand in the market. The high-resolution videos and images should contain information on how the opal reacts to the light. Ask the seller for the videos made in natural lighting from different angles so that you can inspect them properly.
5. Is it a Solid Opal or a Treated Composite?
You should ask the sellers to check the description to see whether the opal stones are solid or composite. The solid opal stones are cut from a single piece of rough stone, while the doublets nd triplets have layers. This can affect the value, durability, and care requirements, so it is important to know whether the opal is solid or assembled.
6. Has the Opal been treated or enhanced?
The online sellers should provide all the information about any type of treatment, like smoke, sugar-acid, or resin enhancement. You should check the details of the product, or if not mentioned, then ask directly, because they can affect the price and appearance of the opal. The tons with treatments are often less expensive, and they have very limited resale value.
7. What is the Opal's Body Tone?
The body tone of an opal gemstone is the background color of the opal, which ranges from black to white. The darker tone of the background is more appreciable because it enhances color play. This is an important description that should be listed in the certificate. Don't rely on the images shown online because lighting can make a difference.
8. Is there any Certification or Grading Report?
Opal grading and certification become an important factor while purchasing them online because you can't see them in person. Also, don't forget to ask your seller whether the certification is from a gemological institute or not. This ensures that the gems are accurately priced.
9. Is the Seller Reputable and Transparent?
Do good research for the seller, and make sure you purchase them from a transparent seller. Check for all the customer reviews, customer service policies, and website security. When you buy an opal gemstone online, look out for the store that offers multiple videos and images of the product to know all the specifications about the gemstone. If there is online chat support or phone support, then it is a big plus point. Try to avoid sellers with no return policy and very little product description.
10. What are the return and warranty policies?
You should always check for the online gemstone return policy from your seller. In case the gemstone does not meet your expectations, then look for the seller who provides a money-back guarantee or exchange period, because most of the opals are on the high price side.
Bonus Tip: Ask for natural light videos before purchasing
In this blog, learn about the questions before buying opal for more authentic gemstones. To know the difference between the fake vs genuine opal, ask your seller to send you the videos in natural lighting because images can be edited. If you want to know how to buy opal online, then ask these questions to your seller.
