No two opals are alike and it is their unique beauty that makes them so appealing. Choosing an opal is a very personal matter so it is important to find one that speaks to you. However, here are some criteria to bear in mind when selecting an opal you will truly love.

Colour

Once you have decided on a type of opal (see opal information), look for the play of colour. In every opal this varies from deep purples, blues and greens through to oranges and vibrant reds, with red being the rarest colour to find in any opal. Look for an opal that displays the colours you find most appealing.

Clarity

The clarity of an opal depends upon the intensity of the colours it displays. This can vary from an opaque, milky appearance through to brilliant, rich colours. The clearer you see the colour, the better the quality.

Size

The size of an opal is measured by its carat weight (5 carats = 1 gram). However, size is not as important as you think! The most important criteria for the quality of opal are colour and clarity so look for these first and then consider the size of the opal.

Remember, each opal has its own unique characteristics so search for the one that catches your eye.