What a lab looks for in opal
- Doublets and triplets: a thin layer of opal stuck onto a dark base, sometimes topped with a clear cap. The lab examines the side profile and the joins.
- Synthetic and imitation opal: lab-grown opal has an orderly, columnar pattern, and plastic or glass imitations are picked out by their density and refractive index.
- Smoke and sugar treatment: methods for darkening pale opal, seen especially in Ethiopian material.
- Impregnation and dye: resin or polymer added to strengthen porous opal or change its colour.
Asking for a report
Choose a stone from our opal collection and message us its link on WhatsApp. We will explain how testing works for that stone, and you see the report before you pay. You can do the same with Ethiopian opal, Australian opal and moonstone. More on lab-certified gemstones.
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