Terms & Conditions

Some opals are crystal opals, which naturally display their color flashes best against a dark or black background. For this reason, the back of select stones may be darkened with black lacquer or gel to enhance the vividness of the opal once set into jewelry. This is a common practice used in crystal opal jewelry.

The gemstones are priced according to their original characteristics without the darkened backing — not based on their enhanced appearance with the dark base. This allows customers to enjoy an opal with a richer appearance at a more accessible price point.

Listings featuring this treatment will clearly include this important disclaimer. If preferred, you may request to see the crystal opal without the dark backing or choose a piece without this feature.

This does not mean the stone is a doublet opal. A doublet is a thin slice of opal permanently bonded to a dark backing stone, which is structurally different.

If a jewel has an open-back setting with dark lacquer on the back, it should be worn with care to preserve the lacquer and enhanced vividness. Over time, especially with exposure to swimming, chemicals, moisture, or frequent wear, the darkening may fade. The opal will still remain beautiful, though slightly less vivid.

We recommend avoiding water exposure, swimming, saunas, and harsh chemicals while wearing opal jewelry.

Opals are light-dependent gemstones. Their brightest flashes are most visible under sunlight or strong indoor lighting. In dim lighting, they may appear softer or less vivid.

Opals are also directional gemstones, meaning some viewing angles may appear brighter than others.

Photos and videos are provided in different lighting conditions to help accurately represent each stone. The first image is typically photographed under sunlight or flash to show the opal at its brightest appearance.

Opals and other dynamic gemstones often display bright flashes from certain angles and a softer, velvety appearance from others. This natural characteristic affects the value and pricing of each stone.

Highly vibrant non-directional opals with strong neon flashes are exceptionally rare, highly sought after, and may command significantly higher prices.

We take great care photographing and filming every gemstone under multiple lighting conditions. However, due to the natural difficulty of capturing opals and dynamic gemstones on camera, slight differences in appearance may occur in person.

Opals are photographed under sunlight, flash, and indoor lighting to show both their brightest and softest appearances. Please review all listing photos and videos carefully.

Most opals appear even more beautiful in person than they do on camera.