Opal: Beware of dyed water opal

The dyed purple opal first appeared in the gem trade in 2011. Recently, the authors of this article have focused on the similarly beautiful opals of the same year. They have brilliant blue or brilliant pink, which is very beautiful.

From 2015 to 2017, a jewelry designer purchased more than 500 carats of material from a dealer, and dealers have not disclosed that these opals are dyed and claimed to be rich in color. Opal is a new opal mine from Mexico. This false statement hurts the confidence of all consumers in the trade chain.

In July 2017, the author received two opals, and after inspection they found that they were suspected of being color processed. He sent two samples to the GIA Carlsbad Laboratory for further testing. With its permission, GIA cut the opal in half and soaked in acetone and hydrogen peroxide to see if the color is stable. As a result, the two opals, like the dyed purple opal in 2011, are dyed Ethiopian opals.

待测的两颗样品

The two samples to be tested weighed approximately 21.75 carats and 15.12 carats. Photo: Robison Mc Murty

待测样品可以看到染料浓度差异和划痕

The sample to be tested can see the difference in dye concentration and the scratch field: 2.34mm / 1.99mm Photo: Nathan Renfro

Two opals were immersed in acetone to collect dyes for color spectroscopy and were found to be consistent with organic dyes. Both the pink sample and the blue sample have broadband absorption.

染料的吸收光谱 这些颜色与观察到的欧泊体色一致

Absorption spectrum of the dyes These colors are consistent with the observed Opal color

The next test is to see if they can restore the original color. The purple opal in 2011 can be removed by soaking in a hydrogen peroxide solution to remove purple. After the two samples were cut in half, they were each immersed in 3% hydrogen peroxide for two weeks. After that, their color saturation is significantly reduced: blue turns white and pink turns pale pink. And if it takes longer, the pink may become lighter.

However, even if the color is gone, the molecules of the dye are still there. Hydrogen peroxide can be used as an effective way to remove the color of the opal, allowing them to return to their natural appearance. However, in practice, this approach is also risky – any cracked water opal can be immersed in liquids and there is a risk.

样品浸泡在3%过氧化氢溶液后 颜色饱和度出现了明显差异

There was a significant difference in color saturation after the sample was immersed in 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.

Further inspection confirmed that the original body color of the water opal was white and most likely from Ethiopia. There is a need to reiterate the importance of addressing disclosures in trade: some unscrupulous industry members may undermine the reputation of selling natural opal dealers and undermine consumer confidence.

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