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A Useful Technique to Confirm the Hydrophane Nature of Opal

Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library

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Update on Dyed Hydrophane Opal

Figure 1. These two opals (21.75 and 15.12 ct) were represented as natural-color blue and pink opal from Mexico. Photo by Robison McMurtry.

Dyed purple opals first appeared in the gem trade in 2011 (N. Renfro and S.F. McClure, “Dyed purple hydrophane opal,” Winter 2011 G&G, pp. 260–270). Recently, the authors became aware of similar material with vibrant blue and pink bodycolors (figure 1). From 2015 to 2017, a jewelry designer reportedly purchased over 500 carats of vivid pink and blue opals from a dealer she met at a small regional gem show in California. The dealer did not disclose that the material was dyed and claimed that these intense colors were from a new opal discovery in Mexico. This kind of misrepresentation could damage consumer confidence in all opals.

In July 2017, author EB received the two opals in figure 1 for examination. After determining that they were likely color treated, he sent both samples to GIA’s Carlsbad lab for further testing. With permission from the owner, each opal was cut in half to obtain a control sample and a test sample. The test samples (one blue and one pink)…