Opals are a popular and unique gemstone that has been valued for centuries. With their vibrant colours and unusual patterns, it's no wonder that many people wonder if they're a good investment. However, the answer to whether opals are worth investing in is a complicated thing.

The main distinction between appraising opals and diamonds is that opals lack an exact dollar-to-carat system. Trends and circumstantial evidence are the significant types of information that determine an opal's worth. 

It pays to know the characteristics that affect opal's value if you consider investing in it. Learning more about these unique jewels can only strengthen your choice, whether you're purchasing them as an investment or merely for aesthetic reasons.

What Is An Opal: Types of Gem Explained

An opal is a mineraloid composed of silica, water, and trace elements, which can display a colourful and unique play of light known as "opalescence." This phenomenon is due to the microscopic structure of the opal, which diffracts light and splits it into different spectral hues, creating a shimmering effect.

Opals are found in many countries, Australia being the largest producer, followed by Brazil and Ethiopia. There are different opals, including white opal, black opal, boulder opal, fire opal, and crystal opal.

White opals have a light body color and display a range of pastel hues, while black opals have a dark body color, providing a strong contrast and making the play of color more visible. 

Boulder opals are found in ironstone boulders and have the ironstone still attached to the back of the opal. Fire opals are transparent to translucent and have a yellow, orange, or red body colour, while crystal opals are transparent and have a light body color, allowing the play of color to show through.

Opals have been prized for their beauty for thousands of years and are considered the most precious gemstone in ancient civilizations. 

Today, opals are still popular and used in jewelry, although their value can vary greatly depending on the size, quality, and type of opal.

Why Opal Is A Good Investment?

Opal is a gemstone that is prized for its beauty and rarity. Like other gems, their value can be influenced by factors such as the stone's quality (color, clarity, and carat weight), market demand, and overall economic conditions. 

Value and Price of Opal

It is simple to calculate the worth of diamonds and rubies. Gemologists examine the gemstones' colour, cut, clarity, and carat. The parameters that certain gems fit into are seldom in question. 

On the other hand, estimating an opal's worth and price is generally acknowledged as an art. This is because there isn't a scale per se to utilise since each piece of opal has so many unique characteristics. That implies it takes careful consideration to grade an opal on a scale. 

The good news is that the Gemological Association of Australia (GAA) gave the world a system for categorising the numerous kinds of opals that were then in existence in 1997. That is referred to as nomenclature. Since then, their proposed opal scoring method has mainly been adopted and is still in use.

Opal Investment Tips

To optimise your portfolio, you'll want to purchase the rarer opals, but you'll also want to ensure that the stones are of the highest quality and have few faults.

Opals are typically meant to be investments that last for a lifetime. However, some individuals choose to keep them. It is strongly advised that you get protection for your assets and store them in a safe location. You want to ensure that you safeguard this investment since these pieces are extensions of your personality.

In conclusion, investing in opals can be a good investment for those with the knowledge and expertise to accurately assess the value of these gems. Opals are perfect anniversary gifts and everyday jewelry.