Opal gemstonePair of opal drop earrings with vivid red, blue plus green play-of-colour, suspended from diamond-set 18K gold chains

Buyer's guide

Opal

Opals vary widely. Like snowflakes or fingerprints, each one is different.

Design with opal

October Birthstone

Libra · Scorpio

Rough Opal specimen

Before the cut

From rough stone to custom jewelry

Opal rough looks like plain stone until light reveals the play of color inside. We craft settings that protect it and show that fire off. Tell us if opal caught your eye and we will start your design.

What to look for

The most important factor. Look at background color, pattern and the flashes.

Ranges from transparent to opaque. Different types prize different levels.

Opal holds up to 20% water plus has hardness 5 to 6.5. Avoid heat, knocks plus sudden temperature changes.

Common sizes run 6×4 to 8×6 mm, yet opal comes in a wide range.

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