How to Identify a Fire Opal Gemstone Is Real or Not?

When it comes to orange gemstones, can you think of something better gem than a fire opal? Well, we don’t think so!

Fire opals are all in vogue nowadays. When in the market for a stone as desired as fire opal, it isn’t a surprise to come across any imitation stones. If you’re worried about ending up with the fake one, fret not.
We’re here for rescue! This blog will show you how to identify a real fire opal.

So, let’s begin...

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Firstly, let’s talk about Fire Opals

Fire opal, a type of opal, is formed when water is trapped in lava or volcanic depths, resulting in a vibrant yellow, orange, or red hue. The iron oxide present within the opal creates its distinctive color. In gemstone lore, fire opal is often associated with passionate love.

Priced differently, the rarest and most valuable fire opal is the red variety. With a Mohs hardness rating of 5.5 to 6.5, fire opal requires careful handling to maintain its shine and quality.

World-renowned for its stunning beauty and diverse color palette, Fire Opal is a sought-after gem for jewelry enthusiasts. Its unique characteristics make it a popular choice for statement pieces, including pendants, earrings, rings, and bracelets.

Different ways to check if a fire Opal is real or not

To check the difference between the fake and real one, follow these steps:

• Check the play of colors

• Look for bubbles

• Check the Transparency

• Check the Clarity

• Inspect the Stone’s Surface

1. Check the play of colors:

   Examine the color changes of your opal stone by checking them in various light conditions. It may be dyed or heat treated if it is only marginally changing color in a dark area; but, if the colors are visibly lively in both a bright and a dark environment, then that is most likely a real one!

2. Look for bubbles:

   To perform this step, put the gemstone under a bright light and look at it with the help of a jeweler's loupe. If you inspect some tiny bubbles within the gemstone then it might be a fake one. As the fake one is made from glass, some tiny air bubbles remain within the gemstone after they form. Always make sure to check your fire opal gemstone from all sides.

3. Check the transparency:

   A window-like section is frequently found in the center of an opal gemstone. The area that is transparent or translucent will be either milky white or greenish-blue in color.

   Hold your stone so you can view both sides of it to see if it is transparent. If the appearance varies from side to side, it can be a false opal.

4. Check the clarity of the stone:

   To check the clarity of the fire opal, hold it up against bright light and look through it with one eye closed. When you hold the stone up, and it has a silent appearance, then there’s a chance that it might be a fake one.

   On the other hand, a properly cut opal will show flashes of color and some fire, which will look like sparks inside the stone. Real opals should always reflect light brightly.

5. Inspect the stone’s surface:

   When you look at a plain fire opal in its raw form, you can only identify that it’s not a fake one by running your fingers across the gemstone. The stone is real when there’s no trace of paint or pigment.

   Also, the stone should not scratch if you rub your fingers over the opal surface. The surface should feel velvety soft but it may feel a little rough if it’s poorly cut. Real opal should be clear and shiny.

What You Need To Do Before Shopping For Opal?

• Research about the seller:

  Check every credential that the company has posted on its website. To learn more about their services and goods, make it a point to check their social media accounts and read client reviews and comments. Always make sure that the company provides a certificate of authenticity for the gemstone jewelry.

• Check the return and refund policy:

  Verify if the business offers a clear return and refund policy. You'll feel more confident when you shop since you'll know exactly what to do if the product doesn't live up to your expectations.

Summing Up

In conclusion, haere in this blog, we have discussed that besides the popularity of fire opal, there are also fake copies of this gemstone being sold in the market in the form of real ones.

However, we always recommend you pay attention to the stone’s authenticity for not to get fooled by such traders in the market. You may follow the above-given steps to check whether your fire opal stone is real or not.

We hope that this blog will help you clear all your doubts regarding the authenticity of your fire opal gemstone.