About Opals

🌈 Opal Types & Price Guide

An educational overview for jewelry shoppers

Opals vary widely in value depending on their origin, structure, color play, and rarity. This guide helps customers understand the differences between Australian, Ethiopian, Mexican, solid, doublet, triplet, synthetic, and imitation opals.


💎 What Affects Opal Value?

  • Type of opal

  • Origin (Australia produces the highest‑value opals)

  • Color intensity & pattern

  • Transparency

  • Cut quality


✅ Price Guide by Opal Type

1. Australian Opals (Solid)

Australian opals — especially black opal — are the most valuable due to rarity and intense color.

Type Typical Price Range Notes
Black Opal High‑end; among the most valuable Dark body tone increases brilliance
Crystal Opal Mid to high range Transparent with vivid color
Boulder Opal Moderate Opal veins in ironstone; durable

Sources note that Australian black opal holds the highest valuation overall.


2. Ethiopian Opals

Ethiopian opals (especially Welo) are known for hydrophane behavior and bright neon colors.

Type Typical Price Range Notes
Welo Opal Affordable to mid‑range Absorbs water; vivid color play
Ethiopian Black Opal Moderate Often treated to darken body tone


3. Mexican Opals

Mexico is famous for fire opal, valued for its orange‑red body color.

Type Typical Price Range Notes
Fire Opal (no play of color) Low to moderate Transparent orange/red
Fire Opal with play of color Moderate to high Rarer and more valuable


✅ Opal Structure Types

4. Solid Opal

A single, natural piece of opal. 💰 Price: Follows the ranges above depending on origin. ✅ Highest value ✅ No layers or enhancements


5. Opal Doublets

A thin slice of opal bonded to a dark backing. Doublets typically cost 15–50% of solid opal prices and range from USD $0.90 to $230 per carat.

Price Range Notes
$1–$230 per carat Bright appearance at lower cost

✅ Affordable ✅ Strong color ⚠️ Not waterproof


6. Opal Triplets

Three layers: backing + thin opal slice + clear cap. Triplets are even more affordable than doublets.

Price Range Notes
Very low to low Budget‑friendly; bright look

✅ Great for budget jewelry ⚠️ Cap can scratch ⚠️ Avoid water exposure


✅ Synthetic & Imitation Opals

7. Lab‑Created (Synthetic) Opal

Man‑made but chemically similar to natural opal.

Price Range Notes
Low to moderate Uniform patterns; durable

✅ Eco‑friendly ✅ Affordable ⚠️ Patterns look “too perfect”


8. Fake / Imitation Opal (Resin, Glass, Plastic)

These contain no real opal.

Material Price Range Notes
Resin Opal Very low Glitter‑like pattern
Glass Opal Very low Swirled colors; no true play of color
Plastic Opal Very low Lightweight; unrealistic look

✅ Good for costume jewelry ⚠️ No gemstone value


✅ How to Identify Each Type

  • Solid opal: natural, irregular back

  • Doublet: visible line between layers

  • Triplet: domed clear top

  • Synthetic: repeating “snake‑skin” pattern

  • Fake: glitter or swirls instead of shifting color