How to Buy Opal Gemstones Online Without Getting Scammed or Fraud
The color flashes in opals always amaze us. They look like a rainbow trapped in a stone. The amazing part is that this stone's energy is just as strong as how it looks. However, as their demand grows, so does the problem of counterfeits.
Scammers have gotten wiser as more people want to know about opal's healing powers. That's why it's important to know what to look for to avoid frauds. This is especially true because the price of an opal stone can change a lot depending on whether it is natural, processed, or wholly fake. In this article, we'll talk about the things you need to think about to shop safely online.
Why Is It Hard to Buy Opal Online?
You're not the only one who wants to buy opal gemstone online. More and more individuals are using the internet to look at rare stones without having to go to a store. That provides you more choices and better prices, but it can also make things more confusing, especially if you're new to buying crystals.
Many times, online listings utilize the same words for actual and fake stones. There may be words like "lab-created," "simulated," or "opal-like" hidden in the tiny text. You might believe you're buying a real opal, but you're really just purchasing a plastic fake that doesn't hold any energy. That's why it's important to read between the lines and know what to ask when you purchase gemstones online.
Are you buying cabochon gemstones in bulk? Look at the Layers
When you shop for opals, you'll probably see cabochon stones wholesale a lot. These are dome-shaped stones that have been polished for use in jewelry. But this is where doublets and triplets are useful. To make doublets, a small slice of actual opal is glued to a dark base to make the color stand out. Triplets, on the other hand, go it a step further by putting a black background and a transparent quartz top on top of the slice.
These can still be pretty, but they're not "solid opals," and many merchants won't tell you this unless you know what to look for. That's why you should always ask for and look at pictures of the side of an opal. If you can see different layers, the gemstone is probably a composite rather than a single, solid stone.
How to Stay Away from Fake Gemstones
If you want to add an opal to your collection for astrology, healing, or jewelry, here are the most important safety guidelines from our opal gemstone guide:
Get to know the seller
Always buy from merchants who offer:
- Descriptions of products that are easy to understand
- Photos with a lot of detail from different angles
- Policies for returns and assurances of authenticity
Reputable sites always include full details about a stone, including whether it is natural, lab-grown, or has been treated in any manner.
Request Certificates
If you buy an opal gemstone online, especially a valuable one, make sure to ask for a confirmation of authenticity. These are very significant if you are buying uncommon opal kinds like black opal or fire opal. Certificates give you accurate information regarding where the stone came from, whether it has been treated (if it has), and whether it is real. It helps you avoid costly errors like buying phony jewels.
Learn the Language of Opal
- Natural opal: mined from the ground and not processed.
- Treated opal: actual opal that has been improved in color or clarity.
- Synthetic opal: Made in a lab with a structure that is similar.
- Simulated opal: It's made of plastic or resin and doesn't have any real opal in it.
Natural opals are the only ones that can help you with your energy problems.
Look at the Play-of-Color
An opal that is real will never look the same all over. Instead, it will exhibit a pattern of colors that varies as you move it about in the light. Fake stones often have a glitter effect that looks more like it was printed than it was made.
A Website That Looks Professional
Real sellers care about how their brand looks online. Because of this, you can expect a clean, professional-looking website from them. They will also pay close attention to the brand colors and the general look of the website. To help the buyer, top sellers show good pictures of all the gemstones from different perspectives. Some may also provide films that show you what the stone really looks like. It helps keep you secure when you buy opals and makes sure that you get a good product every time.
Look at the policies for returns and refunds.
Scammers usually stay away from places where they can be held responsible. That means that if a vendor doesn't take returns, that's a bad sign. A good return policy shows that you trust the quality of the goods.
Follow Your Gut Feelings
You should also pay attention to the feelings an opal gives out to avoid phony jewels. Also, make sure you're buying from a merchant who only sells gemstones and not jewelry made from mass-produced stones.
Read everything on the website because it will help you comprehend the goods and the seller's rules. As a buyer, it's your job to pay attention and experience what the gemstone communicates to you right away.