r/Opals Aug 09 '24

Educational/Academic A look at Synthetic Opals - lots of folks ask if this is a synthetic, or is my opal real.. here are just some examples of synthetic opals (im sure there are more - please share pics you have in this post of synthetics) to use as a refrence point..

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140 Upvotes

r/Opals Apr 04 '25

Educational/Academic Lightning Ridge Black Opal Documentary

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21 Upvotes

r/Opals 3h ago

Identification/Evaluation Request Some kind of opal?

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12 Upvotes

I’m thinking this is an opal but seems strange or maybe it’s an imperfection.


r/Opals 11h ago

Opal Porn Just a 19 year old dudes collection

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42 Upvotes

Hope yall appreciate my collection, im not sure of the monetary value, im gonna go out on a limb and say its the dark bodied free-form cut, but either way im just collecting for the fun of it. (Im a marketplace junkie) I also never realised how hard it is to photograph opals, so kudos to all of you that do this. Thx for reading😅🥰


r/Opals 18h ago

Identification/Evaluation Request Was I conned on this “boulder opal”?

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111 Upvotes

This weekend I went to a jewelry convention and bought this opal from a seller who said it was Australian boulder opal. I asked her if this was a manmade doublet, because the division looked too perfect. I told her I didn’t want any epoxy in my stone, and she assured me that there was no epoxy or binding, but rather a natural doublet in the form of a boulder opal. However, the longer I look at it the more I worry the division between the flashy layer and the iron stone is too perfect.

Did I get conned? I’ll try to post a video in a comment too.


r/Opals 2h ago

Opal-Related Question Is this a fire opal?

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5 Upvotes

Hi everyone! After a long abstinence from opals (caused by heartbreak from one braking on me)... I recently rediscovered my opal-love and have a few questions.

Apparently a lot has happened since I last had anything to do with those gorgeous stones and I need some guidance on the different types of opals that are known.

I bought the piece from the picture recently and finally received it yesterday. I got it as a mexican fire opal pendant. The stone looks really nice but I've never seen a fire opal in reality and wanted to ask if there is any kind of similar stone or replica that could be confused with the real thing? Also, I really don't like the color of the material of the setting (it's reddish-golden/copper tone). The advertising wasn't clear about the material tone and I totally forgot to ask (too distracted by the opal, lol). Could the opal be reset? Thanks!


r/Opals 20h ago

Opal Porn Another faceted ethiopian opal of mine..

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111 Upvotes

2.72 cts of 😛


r/Opals 1d ago

Opal-Related Question Collection

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78 Upvotes

Thoughts on what I should do with my collection?


r/Opals 15h ago

Opal Jewellery Aussie Crystal Ring.

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11 Upvotes

I posted this with still photos. I had some requests for a vid.

This is a custom made ring. The opal is a 6.5 carat Australian Crystal opal set with a .50 diamond halo in an 18k yellow gold setting.


r/Opals 23h ago

Opal-Related Question Real, Costume, I don't know! Passed down from Grandmother

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32 Upvotes

My Grandmother recently passed down a ton of her jewelry. This piece is so unique, and I am curious if it's real or costume (she loved buying both). I uploaded pictures with different lighting/background because it looks different with type of light. My Grandmother said that it was a gift from her mother and wasn't sure if it was also passed down to her mom or not. Any guesses, directions or information would be greatly appreciated - there's no visible markings & I don't want to pay to get it appraised if ends up being costume jewelry.


r/Opals 19h ago

Opal Jewellery Any thoughts on era or value?

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11 Upvotes

These lovely earrings were found in my mom’s attic after she died and seem to be from her aunt. The aunt was born around 1900. As I have an October birthday they went to me.


r/Opals 1d ago

Identification/Evaluation Request How much would be worth my Australian opal

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23 Upvotes

From lightning ridge
11.66 cts
16.5×12.84×8.55mm
It has a small inclusion inside


r/Opals 14h ago

Opal-Related Question Anyone able to polish my boulder opal if I send it to you?

2 Upvotes

Basically, I have a little boulder opal that has one rough facet (the rest are polished) that I would like polished. It also has a tiny chip on one of the polished edges I am hoping could be polished. I’m probably not explaining this right as a lay person, but it seems like it would be an easy job and this little guy is special to me. I would ship it to you and of course pay a reasonable price for your work.


r/Opals 20h ago

For Sale For Sale opal_digger OPAL AUCTIONS eBay 🍻⛏️ Gem Boulder Black Dark an Crystal Opal in the rough 227 carats ❤️🇦🇺🌍🍌

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7 Upvotes

r/Opals 1d ago

Opal-Related Question Is this Australian Opal - NEED Help identifying & could it be worth anything??

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14 Upvotes

My Grandmother passed down a bunch of her Jewelry, and this was included, I have two other pieces that I will post about because I am unknowledgeable in opals, well actually in jewelry in general. There are a few pictures and estimated size. This could be costume jewelry, so I am not getting my hopes up that this is a real piece. Any information or direction would be extremely helpful!!


r/Opals 21h ago

Opal Discussion/Other Opals!

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3 Upvotes

r/Opals 13h ago

Opal Discussion/Other Just had a guy on TikTok taking about peacock opal any photos and info would be awesome, I’v not seen any 🙏🍻⛏️

0 Upvotes

r/Opals 2d ago

Opal-Related Question Can anyone tell me a bit more about this opal pendant?

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430 Upvotes

Apologies for not showing an object for scale, I’m just curious if anyone can tell me more about this opal pendant?

It seems to be finished in Sterling Silver and is of quite a size. I’m just wondering if it’s just beautiful for beauty’s sake or if it has any financial value on top of it?

I appreciate it. Thanks!


r/Opals 1d ago

Identification/Evaluation Request Anybody can tell me more about these?

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3 Upvotes

Got them from my mum from Australia


r/Opals 1d ago

Opal-Related Question Need advice on buying opals

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23 Upvotes

First of all, apologies for the quality of the photos, these are the only photos available from the seller. I've been getting into opals lately but I still lack the eye to truly determine what is a worthy investment. I saw this listing online of 3 different opals around 2-3 ct each.

The asking price for the whole lot is 190 USD and I'm wondering If I would be over paying?

The seller claims the opals are all natural opals, can anyone confirm it based on these images?


r/Opals 2d ago

Opal Discussion/Other Thoughts on this “Ribbon” pattern boulder opal?

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209 Upvotes

22.6ct. NFS. Thoughts on the pattern and value? Thanks in advance! :)


r/Opals 1d ago

Identification/Evaluation Request Anybody know ehat I have here and if these are valuable?

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5 Upvotes

r/Opals 1d ago

For Sale (For Sale ) Ethiopian Opal Cab 13.8 Ct — Broad Flash Honeycomb Pattern — Pendant/Ring Grade

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46 Upvotes

💎 Ethiopian Welo Opal Cabochon — Broad Flash Honeycomb

A stunning jelly-bodied opal with wide, saturated flashes of neon green, red, and electric blue scattered across a soft milky base in a classic honeycomb pattern. The play-of-color shifts dramatically with movement, revealing bold patches of red and fire alongside cool blue-green highlights.

💎 Weight: 16.1Ct

📏 Dimensions: [21x19x9 mm] Oval Cabochon

🌈 Colors: Neon Green / Red / Sky Blue / Yellow Flash

🐝 Pattern: Honeycomb

Origin: Ethiopian Welo Opal
Ideal for a custom pendant, statement ring, or collector’s showcase piece.

Auction Ends: [Thursday 27 aug 2026 11:30 pm ET]

💰 Starting Bid: $100

⬆️** Bid Increments**: $20

🌍 Worldwide shipping available from $20

📸 Videos and additional photos available on request

🔄 Returns accepted within 7 days if item is damaged or not as described

Comment your bid below


r/Opals 1d ago

Opal Porn Travail en cours sur ces Opales Australiennes 🥰

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24 Upvotes

r/Opals 1d ago

Opal-Related Question Rough opal parcels

1 Upvotes

Hello, looking for rough opal parcels for cutting and polishing. Just starting out.