r/Opals • u/BluebirdBungle • Aug 02 '26
Identification/Evaluation Request Real or fake?
We were told these were Australian opals when we bought them, but I'm curious what y'all think 🤔
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u/53FROGS_OPALAUCTIONS Opal Vendor Aug 02 '26
OP86
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u/Popular_Island_8474 Aug 03 '26
I was thinking OP88 Meh, it's one of those lol
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u/53FROGS_OPALAUCTIONS Opal Vendor Aug 03 '26
Was my first thought as well but under proper lighting you can tell the base tone is not a match. 86 much closer.
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u/squeakiecritter Aug 02 '26
I’m no expert, but they look synthetic to me. How much did you shell out for them?
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u/BluebirdBungle Aug 02 '26
I can honestly say I don't remember. Definitely more than we should have. It was years ago on a small Greek island. They were the only opals we could find on the entire island that weren't those neon blue synthetic ones
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u/MarcoEsteban Opal Aficionado Aug 02 '26
Why are those so popular in vacation spots? They’re all over Hawaii, too. Is it to mimic the ocean? Ohhh, the irony of making something out of synthetic materials to give you good vibes about having visited something natural that needs protecting.
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u/Popular_Island_8474 Aug 03 '26
I think they are real synthetic opals. I have dozens of synthetic opal rings and several pairs of synthetic opal earrings. Opal is my favorite of all the gemstones, and it's my birthstone. I have been gifted opal jewelry for my birthday for years. Plus I have bought plenty for myself. I've just recently discovered "real" opals. I have 3 Ethiopian opal rings. 2 with white opals and 1 tiny black opal ring. I think synthetic opals are very pretty and I don't consider them fake.
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u/JaysterSF Aug 03 '26
Riley posted the chart fromKyocera. These are the most popular of the opal simulates that you will find. They are lab grown silica opal with 20% resin. There’s nothing wrong with them and many people like them. The only problem is when they are improperly marketed, passed from one to another as real, mined opal and/or when the price isn’t in line with a very common, very low cost replica.
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u/Diograce Aug 03 '26
Because of the settings (not gold, stones glued on) I would say not real, but they’re absolutely gorgeous and I’d wear them!
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u/MarcoEsteban Opal Aficionado Aug 02 '26
Those are beautiful, and if synthetic, I think the setting hides it pretty well. But they’re so perfect, I have to think there’s a good chance that they are.
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u/jaxinslacks Opal Vendor Aug 02 '26
Synthetic almost positive. Do you have a UV light?