Genuine opal?

[Scotopal]

I bought a secondhand silver opal pendant online. It's a pretty pendant, but the colouring of the opal is unusual - it glitters, but in a glassier way than other opals I've seen. I've tried to capture this in a picture - does this look like a genuine solid opal, or something else? Thanks!

 

[T L]

It looks suspect. Is it in a closed back bezel?

 

[Scotopal]

The bezel is closed back, yeah. Anything I should be looking at, or focussing in on in a photo?

It was an inexpensive piece - so I wasn't expecting a spectacular opal. I'd be annoyed if I've been sold glass, though!

 

[Rfisher]

Looking at your picture, my guess is synthetic.
Side /rear view?

 

[lovedogs]

I strongly think it's synthetic/not real opal.

 

[Scotopal]

I've put a few photos from different angles below. I can't get a photo from behind as the bezel is closed back. What do you think?

 

[lovedogs]

Can you take one from the side (flat, so we can see exactly how the stone curves at the top)?

 

[Rfisher]

My guess has changed from synthetic to simulant.

 

[Scotopal]

Do these side photos help? You should be able to zoom in on the stone

 

[T L]

I suspect a man made glass simulant.

 

[lovedogs]

I suspect a man made glass simulant.

Agreed. If you paid for natural opal, return it

 

[Scotopal]

Thanks for the helpful replies. Insofar as it makes a difference, I think it has a little age to it, but I guess this kind of simulant has been round for a long time anyway.

Would my next step be to go back to the seller? I could take it by a jeweller, but it was an inexpensive enough piece that it won't be worth paying for an appraisal. Would they be likely to look for free?

 

[lovedogs]

Thanks for the helpful replies. Insofar as it makes a difference, I think it has a little age to it, but I guess this kind of simulant has been round for a long time anyway.

Would my next step be to go back to the seller? I could take it by a jeweller, but it was an inexpensive enough piece that it won't be worth paying for an appraisal. Would they be likely to look for free?

They might look for free, but honestly I'd go back to the seller and ask why it was sold as genuine opal.

 

[Scotopal]

It was sold as natural opal, but I didn't pay very much - less than £30 (some opal and silver jewelry goes quite cheap here...) Will see what the seller says. I don't think it was deliberate deception - they sell much more expensive stuff, and I don't think this would be worth the reputational risk...

 

[lovedogs]

It looks like this to me (the stone)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/599564207/blue-opal-czech-glass-and-sterling

So if you paid under $75 (assuming it isn't solid Sterling silver or something), I wouldn't worry about it. Take it as a lesson learned. But if you paid more, return it.

 

[lovedogs]

It was sold as natural opal, but I didn't pay very much - less than £30 (some opal and silver jewelry goes quite cheap here...) Will see what the seller says. I don't think it was deliberate deception - they sell much more expensive stuff, and I don't think this would be worth the reputational risk...

Gotcha. Yeah see my post right after yours (didn't see yours until I posted). At that price it doesn't really matter, but the seller shouldn't have claimed it was natural.

 

[Scotopal]

Yeah - well under $US75. It was sold as having tested as sterling silver - the metal looks ok to me, unless you think that's also suspect?

I've contacted the seller politely and will see what they say (you're right that simulant shouldn't be sold as natural opal, even when it's an honest error). I wonder how much it would be to get the small simulant replaced with a natural stone - less than 5mm diameter - as I do like the pendant!

 

[pokerface]

It's a glass foil opal, for sure. Silver is not an expensive metal, but I would think it would usually be stamped with 925.

 

[Scotopal]

Seller's insisting it is genuine, as they trust their supplier. If I take it past a jeweller (an independent which deals with secondhand and new jewellery) are they likely to be able to confirm what it is, or would I need someone more specialist? Assuming it is glass I'd look at getting the stone replaced anyway, so I wouldn't be wasting their time...

 

[stracci2000]

It's glass with foil inside.
Any jeweler will confirm this in a heartbeat.

 

[lovedogs]

Seller's insisting it is genuine, as they trust their supplier. If I take it past a jeweller (an independent which deals with secondhand and new jewellery) are they likely to be able to confirm what it is, or would I need someone more specialist? Assuming it is glass I'd look at getting the stone replaced anyway, so I wouldn't be wasting their time...

The seller is either confused or lying

 

[Scotopal]

Thanks. I'm sure you're right about it being glass, but more convincing for the seller to say a jeweller told me that...

I'd assume confused rather than lying - I'd guess they could have got a similar price just selling it as a simulant opal, and not worth risking their reputation over a cheap-ish piece. These things annoy me, though!

 

[Catmom]

I've seen some opal pieces that are advertised as natural opal but are really crushed opal in some kind of suspension. It could be that.

 

[Bron357]

Definitely a man made gem. It’s sometimes referred to as Dragons breath or Foiled Czech Art Glass. Actually quite collectible if in a vintage piece.
If the pendant is sterling silver, it will be hallmarked either 925, Sterling or if lower silver content than 900, the word Silver (coin silver grade is 800 / 1000). Otherwise it is just “white metal” probably nickel based.
A pawnbroker or jeweller with a Presidium can tell you instantly if it’s fake, it will test as “glass”. They should tell you for free if you smile nicely
Here’s some examples off eBay.

 

[Scotopal]

Thanks for the help with this. Jeweller confirmed it is a glass and foil gem (the metal is silver, though). Now I just need to decide what to do with it. Reckon it could still make a nice (small) gift as a Dragon's Breath opal?

 

[Bron357]

Nothing wrong with a lovely pendant set with a Dragons breath crystal cabochon.
As will all things, it’s what you love and enjoy and the pendant is very stylish.
You can buy a “Silver cloth” (online or from a jeweller) and polish up the silver setting if you like.

 

[T L]

If you wanted to buy a real opal, a nice pinfire pattern in that small size in an Ethiopian stone wouldn’t be more than $100.

 

[Scotopal]

Good idea about a silver cloth! If they're all much the same, will just get a cheap one online.

I think I'll see how the recipient likes the setting, and then decide whether to change the stone. Some of the lab-made opals also look nice, so might think about one of those - depending what she wants...

 

[Scotopal]

Any thoughts on the opal below? I seem to be having a weird run of luck - this is the second odd-looking opal I've had arrive off ebay...

Thanks! I've tried to get decent photos, though the pendant covers the rear of the stone

 

[voce]

I don't see a lot of color play, but what a setting!