Watch the video link as Justin from Black Opal Direct gives you an invaluable insight and learn how to spot a synthetic opal.
In a few minutes Justin shows you visually the difference between a ‘real’ opal and a ‘synthetic’ opal and delivers in a concise manner the techniques in detection. You might also want to watch our other videos on synthetic opal and fakes found in the video gallery.
Techniques in detecting a synthetic vs a natural opal
Synthetic Opal
- Synthetic has a pattern and play of colour which is tightly bunched together.
- By using a 10 x hand lens loupe you will discover no gaps in the patterning.
- The pattern is uniform it displays pattern flake after pattern flake.
VS
Natural Opal
- Different sized flakes
- Colour is not uniform
- Pattern not the same
Please be wary if you ever see a perfect opal. Remember the old saying ‘if it’s too good to be true, it probably is’.
