Fire opals will forever remain in trend and that’s why they’re definitely worth the investment.
In today’s article, we’re going to discuss this jewel in great detail and show you how to differentiate between a real and fake gemstone.
Let’s get started…
Description
The fire opal is a semi-precious gem that is famed for its fiery body colours, including red, yellow, and orange. Because of its spectacular hue, this stone is often considered a symbol of passion, love, fortune and success.
How Do You Distinguish Between a Real and Fake Fire Opal?
Due to the stone’s growing popularity, several fake variations are sold in the market today. These pieces are typically made from glass, plastic, or resin and are quite different from the real gemstone in terms of chemical, optical and physical properties.
To distinguish between the two, we recommend following the steps mentioned below…
1. The Country of Origin
Did you know? Mexico is the primary source of fire opals. Apart from this, the stone can also be found in Australia, Western US, and Honduras. As such, if your stone’s authentication certificate lists a mining location other than the ones mentioned above, then it might not be authentic.
2. Consider the Weight
Synthetic opals, especially those made from resin and plastic, are typically defined by their relatively low density. Therefore, if the fire opal in question feels extremely light, then it could probably be fake. This is especially true for big-sized gemstones.
3. Look at the Price
While fire opals may not be as expensive as other precious gemstones, they are still considered to be mid-range jewels. Hence, if your opal ring is accompanied by a surprisingly low price tag, then it could be an indicator of the gem’s inauthenticity.
4. Watch Out for the Sparkle
For the most part, fire opals are transparent or translucent gemstones defined by their subtle yet mesmerising glow that never fails to catch the eye. Synthetic opals, on the other hand, do not display the same level of shine due to the materials used for creating them. So unlike a natural fire opal, you can expect the fake one to look darker and more opaque.
5. Does it Have Bubbles?
For this test, place the gem under a bright light and look at it through a jeweller’s loupe. If you see small bubbles on the surface of the jewel, then it is probably an imitation piece.
Important note: At the end of the day, if you’re still not convinced about the authenticity of your gem, then do consider visiting a professional to clarify all your doubts.
Important Shopping Tips
- Research the seller: Go through all the credentials uploaded by the company on their website. Also make it a point to explore their social media handles and cheque the reviews/comments written by customers to get a better idea about their service and products.
- Cheque the return and refund policy: Make sure that the company has a clear return and refund policy. This will give you the confidence to shop as you’ll know exactly what to do if the product doesn’t meet your expectations.
We hope this article helped!
Also read: The History of Fire Opal
