Opal is a yet another valuable gem from the silicate mineral family, prized for its vibrant play-of-color.

The word Opal is believed to have originated from the Latin word “opalus”, which itself was derived from the Greek “opallios”, meaning “to see a change of color.”
Composed of hydrated silica, its water content ranges from 3% to 21%, giving each stone a unique, iridescent glow.

Opals are majorly found mainly in Australia, Ethiopia, and Mexico and over the centuries, have been associated with emotional healing, creativity, and luxury.
The most popular varieties of opal are include White Opal, Black Opal, Fire Opal, and Boulder Opal. If you are looking to buy opal gemstone online, check out our opal collection here.

Characteristics of opal ↓

• Common Name: Opal
  
• Species: Hydrated Silica
  
• Chemical Classification: Mineraloid (Amorphous Silica)
  
• Optic Character: Amorphous
  
• Transparency: Transparent to opaque (varies by type and quality)
  
• Mohs Hardness: 5.5 – 6.5
  

Luster:

• Vitreous to subvitreous
• Waxy
• Resinous
• Pearly
  
• Radioactivity: Not radioactive
  

Luminescence (under UV light):

• Variable
• Some opals glow green, white, or orangey
• Many remain inert
  

Inclusions:

• May contain potch (common opal without play-of-color)
• Sand grains or internal cracks
• Synthetic opals may show columnar or snake-skin patterns under magnification

Opals are found across the world, but certain regions are known for producing the highest-quality stones with distinct features:

• Australia: The global leader in opal production, known for premium black, white, and boulder opals — especially from Lightning Ridge and Coober Pedy.
• Ethiopia: Famous for hydrophane opals with vibrant play-of-color. Ethiopian Welo Opals are highly sought-after for their beauty and affordability.
• Mexico: Renowned for fire opals, which display vivid orange, red, or yellow tones — often with a glowing transparency.
• Peru: Source of solid-color opals in blue, green, and pink. Peruvian opals are popular for emotional healing and unique pastel beauty.
• Brazil & USA: Smaller producers, but offer unique opals used in designer and artisan jewelry.

These locations influence not just price, but also durability, color range, and overall energy of the stone.

Opals are classified based on their body tone, transparency, play-of-color, and origin. Below are the most well-known and valuable types of opals, each with unique beauty and metaphysical significance.

Ethiopian Opal

• Origin: Welo & Shewa regions, Ethiopia
• Color: Milky white to translucent with vivid flashes of green, red, orange, and blue
• Value: Highly affordable and visually striking, Ethiopian opals are prized for their bold play-of-color and hydrophane nature (ability to absorb water). Their mystical patterns make them ideal for spiritual and healing jewelry.

Fire Opal

• Origin: Mexico
• Color: Bright orange, red, or yellow with or without play-of-color
• Value: Known for its fiery body tone, Mexican fire opal is rare and sought-after for its warmth and vitality. Transparent varieties with internal flashes are the most valuable. Fire opals symbolize passion and creativity.

Black Opal

• Origin: Lightning Ridge, Australia
• Color: Deep black or dark gray base with vibrant flashes of all colors
• Value: Considered the rarest and most expensive type of opal. Its dark body tone enhances the color play, making it intensely vibrant. Highly prized in fine jewelry and collector’s pieces.

White Opal (Light Opal)

• Origin: Australia, particularly Coober Pedy
• Color: Milky white to light gray base with pastel rainbow flashes
• Value: Classic and elegant, white opals are more common and often more affordable. They’re ideal for daily wear and symbolize clarity, peace, and balance.

Hyalite Opal (Water Opal)

• Origin: Mexico, Oregon (USA)
• Color: Clear to glassy, sometimes with bluish or golden sheen
• Value: Rare and collectible, hyalite opals are admired for their luminous transparency. Some varieties fluoresce under UV light. Ideal for minimalist jewelry lovers.

Matrix Opal

• Origin: Queensland (Australia), Andamooka (South Australia)
• Color: Colorful flashes interwoven with host rock (often ironstone or sandstone)
• Value: Visually unique and earthy, matrix opals are budget-friendly and great for artistic, rustic jewelry. Each piece is truly one-of-a-kind due to its natural patterning.

Peruvian Opal

• Origin: Andes Mountains, Peru
• Color: Solid pastel shades like turquoise blue, mint green, or soft pink
• Value: A common opal without play-of-color but adored for its calming colors. Great for emotional healing and gentle aesthetic appeal.

Hydrophane Opal

• Origin: Primarily Ethiopia
• Color: Creamy to translucent with shifting color once wet
• Value: Unique for its ability to absorb water and temporarily alter its transparency and brightness. Often found among Ethiopian opals and requires special care.

Jelly Opal

• Origin: Mexico, Ethiopia
• Color: Clear to bluish-gray with a gelatinous, glowing look
• Value: Known for its semi-translucent, jelly-like appearance. Some varieties display faint play-of-color and are appreciated for their dreamlike quality.

Honey Opal

• Origin: Mexico
• Color: Warm amber or honey-yellow with a glassy luster
• Value: A charming, often transparent opal with a golden glow. Typically lacks play-of-color but is loved for its warm, sunlit energy.

Aurora Opal

• Origin: Lab-created (inspired by Australian opals)
• Color: Intense, layered flashes of pink, teal, green, purple, and electric blue — often arranged in a linear or kaleidoscopic pattern
• Value: Aurora Opal Stone is a premium synthetic opal, admired for its extreme color play, durability, and futuristic beauty. Though lab-made, it’s composed of the same silica structure as natural opals. It’s ideal for designers who want the look of a rare black opal at a more accessible price point. Loved in artisan jewelry for its striking “nebula-like” effect and consistent quality.

Australian Opal

• Origin: Australia (various mines)
• Color: Varies — includes black, white, boulder, and crystal
• Value: Known for top-grade color quality; sets the global standard for opal gemstone price

Cantera Opal

• Origin: Mexico
• Color: Transparent to reddish-orange with opal inside volcanic rock
• Value: Unique natural matrix; often sold as cabochons; popular among those who buy loose opal stone

Opal is more than just a visually captivating gemstone — it is widely used for emotional balance, creative inspiration, and spiritual growth. Revered in metaphysical healing and astrology, it is known to amplify inner clarity and strengthen personal expression.

Key Benefits of Wearing Opal Stone

• Emotional Healing: Calms mood swings, anxiety, and emotional turbulence, encouraging self-acceptance and emotional release.
• Creativity & Imagination: Often worn by artists and performers to boost innovation, imagination, and originality.
• Love & Relationships: Enhances emotional bonding, deepens connection in romantic relationships, and restores harmony.
• Spiritual Growth: Said to activate the crown chakra, opal improves intuition and brings mental clarity.
• Luxury & Prosperity: Ruled by Venus, opal is associated with wealth, beauty, and a high-vibration lifestyle.

Benefits of Buying Opal Online

Purchasing opal online offers unmatched convenience, variety, and access to global sources — especially when shopping from trusted platforms.

• Wider Selection: Choose from global varieties like Ethiopian, Fire, or Black Opals Crystal without regional limitations.
• Better Prices: Online platforms often offer competitive pricing and seasonal discounts unavailable offline.
• Certification & Transparency: Reputed sellers provide gem lab certificates and detailed product information.
• Convenience: Hassle-free doorstep delivery, easy returns, and 24/7 shopping access make online buying ideal.
• Verified Reviews: Customer feedback helps make informed decisions with real-world usage insights.

Opal is ideal for those seeking emotional healing, creative inspiration, and balance in relationships. As the birthstone for October and a gemstone linked with Venus, opal is often worn for love, luxury, and self-expression.

• Zodiac Connection: Especially suitable for Libra, Taurus, and those with prominent Venus placements.
• Creative Fields: Artists, writers, and performers often wear opals to boost imagination and originality.
• Emotional Wellness: Ideal for those looking to stabilize mood swings, reduce emotional stress, or enhance self-worth.
• Style & Symbolism: Popular among individuals who value uniqueness, opals also represent transformation and renewal.

How to Wear an Opal Stone

Since wearing an opal is not just about the aesthetics but also about the healing effects it has on your body and mind, knowing how to wear an opal gemstone becomes a non-negotiable.

→ Which Finger to Wear It On:

An opal gemstone is traditionally worn on the ring finger of your dominant hand, especially in astrological practice.

Why? Because the ring finger is ruled by the sun and Venus, amplifying opal’s vibrations of love, luxury, and creativity. It allows energy flow from your hand chakra to the rest of your body.

→ Cleanse Before Wearing:

Before wearing your opal, cleanse it energetically by:

• Soaking in lukewarm water with mild soap for 10 min max.
• Leaving it under moonlight overnight
• Using sound (singing bowls) or sage to remove stagnant energies

Why? Opals are sensitive and absorb emotional frequencies just like they absorb water. Cleansing clears past imprints and aligns the stone with your energy and intention.

→ Ideal Weight (in carats):

Choose an opal that weighs approx. 1/10th of your body weight in carats.

For example, if you weigh 60 kg, a 6-carat opal is ideal.

Why? In Vedic astrology, this proportion is believed to balance energetic impact with your body’s aura — ensuring neither over-activation nor dullness.

→ Choosing the Right Color:

Go for opals with clear play-of-color and minimal internal fractures.

• White opals = peace and purity
• Black opals = transformation and power
• Fire opals = passion and vitality
• Boulder opals = grounded creativity

Why? Each opal variety has subtle energetic nuances. The color and clarity directly influence which areas of life it will support — emotional balance, prosperity, love, or creativity.

→ Best Metals for Setting:

Opals work best when set in silver, white gold, or platinum.

Why? These metals enhance Venus-aligned energy and provide a strong, non-reactive base that doesn’t disrupt the stone’s vibration.

→ Everyday Use Tips:

• Opals can be worn daily, but they are delicate (Mohs 5.5–6.5) so be a little extra cautious with them.
• Avoid direct impact, perfume, harsh chemicals, or excessive heat.
• Remove before bathing or swimming to protect the stone’s structure and color.

When to Wear an Opal

Although you can wear an opal at any hour of the day, in the Indian astrology, opal is best believed to be worn on a Friday (day of Venus in the Hindu calendar) between 5:00 am - 7:00 am of a waxing moon phase.

Before understanding the price range of opals, we need to understand what are the different qualities of opal available in the market and what factors really determine these qualities.

Broadly, opals are segregated into two main categories -

One is precious opals that show a play of color. Opals from Australia & Mexico like Black opals, Fire opals, White opals, Boulder opals & Crystal opals fall under the category of precious opals.

The other one is common opals which do not exhibit play-of-color but are still valued for their beautiful pastel shades. Opals predominantly from Peru & Oregon like Blue opals, Milk opals and Pink opals fall under the category of commons opals.

What determines the value of an opal?

Just like diamonds or any other gemstone, opals are graded based on four key factors—color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. These 4 C’s are essential for any buyer to know before making their purchase. Let’s have a deeper look.

1. Color : Color plays a very important role in determining opal values. Here’s what you should look for in opal’s case:

→ Play-of-Color: The more vibrant and varied the colors, the higher the value.

→ Background Color: The base color also called background on which the stone displays the play of color plays an important role. Usually black opals are valued the most, followed by white and then crystal opals.

→ Brightness: The intensity of the colors determines the opal’s appeal. Bright opals fetch higher prices.

2. Clarity : Generally opal doesn't come with inclusions.

→ However, since there are many different varieties of opal some types might come with inclusions such as cracks, sand or webbing. These inclusions generally tend to lower the value of an opal unless it’s an extraordinary piece that may result in an increased value than normal.

→ Boulder opal might come with natural inclusions and they are accepted as well because of the stone’s unique formation.

3. Cut : The cut of an opal plays an important role in deciding its price. Usually the round and oval cuts are most valuable and preferred. However, cuts are more of a personal preference and one should purchase what aligns with their demands.

Commonly, opals are available in -

• Cabochon Cut: Most opals are cut into smooth domes to enhance their play-of-color.
• Freeform Cut: Some opals are cut based on their natural shape to preserve maximum color.
• Faceted Cut: Rare but can add extra brilliance.

4. Carat Weight : Opals are measured in carats, but size isn’t as important as color and clarity. Large opals with vivid color are rare and expensive. However, a rich play of color is what adds life to an opal which is why one must put carat weight as the secondary characteristic when deciding to buy an opal.

What is a Fair Price for Different Opal Types?

Opal prices can vary drastically depending upon the color, intensity, size and origin. Wondering what is the price of opal across types? Check the table below for updated ranges.

Types of Opal with Characteristics & Price Range (Per Carat)

White Opal
▸ Milky body with soft, pastel-like play-of-color
▸ 💰 Price: $10 – $200

Black Opal
▸ Dark body tone with vivid, high-contrast fire
▸ 💰 Price: $1,000 – $15,000+

Crystal Opal
▸ Transparent with bright, floating color flashes
▸ 💰 Price: $100 – $1,500

Fire Opal (with color play)
▸ Warm-toned body with occasional vibrant play-of-color
▸ 💰 Price: $50 – $500

Boulder Opal
▸ Colorful opal veins with natural ironstone backing
▸ 💰 Price: $50 – $3,000+

Matrix Opal
▸ Opal specks fused within host rock (sandstone or ironstone)
▸ 💰 Price: $10 – $300

Pink Opal
▸ Soft pink, opaque, commonly from Peru
▸ 💰 Price: $1 – $25

Green Opal
▸ Mossy green with smooth texture and waxy luster
▸ 💰 Price: $2 – $30

Blue Opal
▸ Sky to aqua blue; opaque to translucent
▸ 💰 Price: $5 – $50

Yellow Opal
▸ Warm yellow tones; often translucent with a soft sheen
▸ 💰 Price: $2 – $20

Opalized Wood
▸ Fossilized wood replaced with opal; shows organic structure
▸ 💰 Price: $10 – $100

Ethiopian Opal
▸ Highly transparent with vivid play-of-color; hydrophane nature
▸ 💰 Price: $20 – $500+

Hydrophane Opal
▸ Water-absorbent; appearance changes when wet
▸ 💰 Price: $10 – $300+

Synthetic Opal
▸ Lab-grown with structured, repeated color patterns
▸ 💰 Price: $5 – $50

Australian Opal
▸ Premium quality, globally acclaimed; wide variety
▸ 💰 Price: $100 – $5,000+

Mexican Opal
▸ Found in volcanic rock; natural, rustic, and rare
▸ 💰 Price: $10 – $150

Buying an opal requires more than just choosing a pretty stone.

Whether you’re shopping to buy loose opal stone for custom jewelry, or looking for ready-to-wear pieces, the opal stone price can vary based on authenticity, treatments, and origin.

Here are key factors every buyer should consider before making a purchase:

• Natural vs. Lab-Created: Always confirm whether the opal is natural or synthetic. Natural, untreated opals are more valuable and astrologically significant.
• Transparency About Treatments: Many opals undergo enhancements like sugar or smoke treatment. Reputable sellers will disclose this clearly.
• Check for Hydrophane Behavior: Ethiopian opals are often hydrophane — they absorb water and can temporarily change in appearance.
• Request Certification: A gem lab certificate such as from IGI or GIA ensures authenticity and verifies origin, treatment status, and other key features.
• Know the Seller: Buy from trusted sources with a clear return policy, genuine reviews, and detailed product listings.
• Match Use with Type: Choose durable types like fire opals or black opals for rings; delicate opals are better suited for pendants or earrings.

Many buyers prefer to buy opal gemstone online due to the transparency, better prices, access to certified loose opals for sale and above all the ability to look from different stores at the same time + return in case product doesn’t match up - all through the comfort of home.

Opals are delicate gemstones that require mindful care to preserve their brilliance and structural integrity. Follow these simple practices to keep your opal jewelry looking beautiful for years:

• Clean Gently: Use lukewarm water, a mild soap, and a soft cloth or brush. Avoid harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, or abrasive tools.
• Avoid Heat & Sunlight: Keep opals away from direct sunlight, hot water, or sudden temperature changes, as they may dry out or crack.
• Minimize Moisture Exposure: Ethiopian opals are hydrophane and can absorb water. Avoid soaking or storing them in humid conditions.
• Store Separately: Place opals in a fabric-lined box or soft pouch to prevent scratches and preserve polish.
• Inspect Regularly: Check for loose settings or tiny cracks. Have your opal jewelry cleaned and serviced by a professional when needed.

At GemstonesForSale, we combine trust, experience, and accessibility — the three A’s of a truly reliable gemstone buying experience:

• Authenticity: We source natural opals directly from certified and ethical suppliers across Ethiopia, Australia, Mexico, and Peru. Every stone is quality-checked and backed by expert verification.
• Authority: With 20+ years in the gem industry and over 50K happy customers, we’re trusted by collectors, astrologers, and jewelry lovers alike.
• Affordability: We curate a wide collection of opals to suit every budget — from rare black opals to beginner-friendly options — so everyone can own a piece of this radiant gem.

We make it easy to buy opal gemstone Online with verified gem lab certificates and worldwide shipping.

Whether you're handcrafting bespoke jewelry, curating crystals for spiritual clients, or stocking your boutique, our ethically sourced, high-grade Opals are trusted by thousands of creators across the globe.

✔ Bulk-ready inventory for studios and retail

✔ Calibrated & freeform cuts for versatile design use

✔ Trusted by artisans for energy consistency and clarity

✔ Gem lab certificates available for professional resale

✔ Wholesale pricing & partner support available

Our extensive collection includes rare opal gemstones for sale — from premium black opals to budget-friendly pastel Peruvian stones.
If you're searching for the best place to buy opals online, our platform ensures competitive opal gemstone prices with full transparency.

Q: What is the rarest type of opal?

Black Opal from Australia is the rarest and most valuable type due to its dark background and intense play-of-color.

Q: Can opal crack or dry out?

Yes, solid opals contain water and can crack if exposed to extreme dryness or sudden temperature changes. You should keep them in a humid environment as it helps prevent dehydration.

Q: Why do some opals lose their color?

If an opal is exposed to too much heat, sunlight, or chemicals, it may lose its vibrancy. However, proper care ensures your opal stays brilliant for years.

Q: Is Opal good for spiritual or healing purposes?

Absolutely! Opal is linked to intuition, emotional healing, and creativity. Many believe it enhances self-expression and brings inner peace.

Q: Are Opals expensive?

The price varies based on color, clarity, type, and origin. Black opals and high-quality fire opals can be quite valuable, while common opal varieties are more affordable.

Q. How much water is in opal?

Opal typically contains 3-21% water by weight, which influences its stability and durability.

Q. What are the main types of opal?

The main types include black opal, white opal, crystal opal, fire opal, and boulder opal, each distinguished by background color and transparency.

Q. What makes black opal special?

Black opal has a dark body tone that creates a dramatic contrast, enhancing the vibrancy of the play-of-color.

Q. Can opal be treated or enhanced?

Yes, treatments include dyeing, impregnation with resins, and sugar-acid treatments to improve color or stability.

Q. What is a “harlequin” pattern in opal?

The harlequin pattern features large, distinct patches of play-of-color arranged in a checkerboard-like pattern. It’s highly prized by collectors.

Q. How to know the difference between fake and real opal?

A1 : A real opal shows irregular, natural color play from within, while a fake opal often has a uniform, plastic-like shine or a repeated “snake-skin” pattern under light.

Q. Is opal a crystal?

No. Opal is amorphous, meaning it doesn't have a regular internal crystal structure like other gemstones such as quartz or emerald.

Q. How durable is opal?

Opal is relatively soft (Mohs 5.5–6.5) and has poor to fair toughness. It's best suited for earrings, pendants, or protected ring settings.