Opals are among the most mesmerizing gemstones in fine jewelry, admired for their shifting play-of-color and soft luminosity. But with imitations and synthetics on the market, it’s important to know how to tell if an opal is real—especially if you're purchasing or valuing a precious piece. This guide from Little Treasury Jewelers will walk you through key signs to identify a genuine opal, address related questions, and help you feel confident when exploring opal jewelry in the Baltimore-Annapolis area.
What Are Real Opals?
A real opal is a naturally occurring gemstone formed over millions of years as silica-rich water deposits hardened into stone. Natural opals often come from Australia, Ethiopia, and Mexico and are prized for their one-of-a-kind color patterns and internal light diffraction.
A genuine opal may be:
-
Solid natural opal: a full opal stone cut from raw material.
-
Doublet: a slice of opal glued to a backing material to enhance its appearance.
-
Triplet: a thin layer of opal between a backing and a protective clear top.
All three are considered real opals, though value varies. Synthetics and imitations, on the other hand, are man-made.
How Can You Tell If An Opal Is Real By Sight?
Most people can start by examining the appearance of the stone. A real opal typically has:
-
Irregular play-of-color: The flashes of color should move and shift depending on the angle.
-
Non-uniform patterns: Natural opals don’t display perfect or repeating designs.
-
Depth and fluidity: There’s an organic, watery quality to real opals that synthetic versions lack.
If the stone looks too “perfect,” symmetrical, or brightly colored across the whole surface, it may be synthetic or an imitation.
What Does A Fake Opal Look Like?
Fake opals can often be spotted by their unnatural features:
-
Overly bright or plastic-like appearance
-
Color patches that don’t change with light movement
-
Glass or resin feel to the touch
-
Flat, uniform back with no layers or variation
Common imitation opals include “opalite” (a glass-based material) or plastic stones labeled as opals.
Can You Tell If An Opal Is Real By Touch?
Yes, and it's surprisingly effective. A real opal feels cool to the touch like most natural gemstones, while imitations made of resin or plastic feel warm or room-temperature. This quick test can be helpful when you're in-store.
What About Weight And Temperature?
-
Weight: Natural solid opals are slightly heavier than synthetics or fakes. Triplets and doublets may also feel lighter due to their layered construction.
-
Temperature: As mentioned, real opals usually feel cooler compared to imitations, which retain heat differently due to their materials.
Can You Identify A Real Opal With Magnification?
Absolutely. At Little Treasury Jewelers, our gemologists often use magnification to inspect opals. Under a jeweler’s loupe:
-
Real opals will show irregular color patterns and possible natural inclusions.
-
Triplets and doublets may reveal glue lines or layered structure.
Synthetics often display a “lizard skin” or “snake skin” pattern under 10x magnification—a telltale sign of lab creation.
Are There Lab-Created Opals?
Yes, lab-created opals are chemically similar to natural ones but grown in a lab. They still offer brilliance and color but differ in internal structure and value. They’re ideal for fashion-forward pieces but won’t carry the same long-term worth as a high-quality natural opal.
Are Opals Durable Enough For Everyday Wear?
Opals rank around 5.5–6.5 on the Mohs scale, which means they’re softer than diamonds or sapphires. With proper care and the right setting—such as a protective bezel—they can certainly be worn in everyday jewelry. We recommend occasional cleaning and professional check-ups to maintain their beauty.
Can Little Treasury Jewelers Help Authenticate My Opal?
Yes. Our in-house gemologists and jewelry experts offer professional appraisal and authentication services. Whether you’ve inherited a piece or are considering a purchase, we can help verify if your opal is natural, synthetic, or imitation.
Where Can I Buy Authentic Opal Jewelry Near Baltimore or Annapolis?
If you're searching for real opal jewelry in the Baltimore-Annapolis area, Little Treasury Jewelers is your trusted local source. Located in Gambrills, Maryland, we carry a curated selection of high-quality opal rings, necklaces, earrings, and custom designs. Each gemstone is hand-selected by our expert team to ensure authenticity and brilliance.
Little Treasury Jewelers – Gambrills, MD
Call us at (410) 721-7100
Visit or book a consultation today
Explore Our Opal Jewelry Collection
Discover timeless opal designs or create your own with help from our expert jewelers. Whether you’re looking for a statement piece or a gift full of meaning, Little Treasury Jewelers can guide you to the perfect choice.
Explore our gemstone collection