Damon Mcknight
Opal Doublets are partially man-made stones that feature a thin slice of opal glued to a black stone backing. The dark back section, which can sometimes be made of ironstone, enhances the opal colours to replicate the look of a black opal, without the expensive price tag. Opal Doublets are popular choices for jewellery settings such as pendants, rings, and earrings. They are also more affordable than solid opals and can be challenging to differentiate, even for experts, when set into jewellery with the sides covered.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Glass-like or translucent |
| Layers | Three |
| Colour | Bright |
| Top layer | Paper-thin slice of opal |
| Middle layer | Black backing |
| Bottom layer | Clear crystal dome |
| Water resistance | Not water-resistant |
| Price | Affordable |
| Composition | Man-made backing with a thin layer of precious opal |
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What You'll Learn
Doublets are made of a thin slice of opal glued to a black stone backing
Opal doublets are partially man-made stones that are made of a thin slice of opal glued to a black stone backing. The black stone backing is generally Vitrolite (Blackened Industrial Glass) or, in the case of older doublets, Black 'Potch' (colourless or common opal). The dark back section, which can sometimes be made of ironstone, enhances the opal colours to replicate the look of a black opal, without the expensive price tag. This results in a gem that creates the illusion and characteristics of more expensive black or boulder opals.
The opal used in a doublet is glued to the backing stone and capped with a clear crystal dome on top. Doublets can display bright colours, but can be ruined easily by getting wet regularly, as the glue bonding the doublet together will become cloudy and any opal colours will disappear.
Doublets are often used in jewellery, such as rings, necklaces, earrings, and pendants. They are a popular choice due to their affordability and similarity in appearance to solid opals. When set into jewellery with the sides covered, it can be difficult, even for an expert, to tell whether it is a doublet or a solid opal.
It is important to note that doublets are different from solid opals in terms of care and pricing. Doublets are more affordable than solid opals, but they require extra care to avoid water damage.
When purchasing an opal, it is important to do your research and buy from a credible supplier to avoid being overcharged or duped into buying a synthetic opal. A real, natural opal from Australia should come with a certificate of origin and authenticity.
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Doublets are more affordable than solid opals
Opal doublets are a beautiful and more affordable alternative to solid opals. They are crafted by bonding a thin layer of opal to a black backing, usually made of ironstone, basalt, or black potch. This combination enhances the opal's vibrant colours, making it appear more vivid and striking. The black backing shows through the clear, solid opal, resulting in darker and more vibrant colours.
Solid opals are generally very expensive. They are the most valuable type of opal because they are cut from only the natural stone without any treatment or enhancement. There are no man-made clear tops or backing glued to them, and they are composed of one solid piece of opal rather than a thin layer of natural opal adhered to additional materials.
Opal doublets, on the other hand, are composite stones that can be identified by looking at their sides or edges. The black backing may also be made of black industrial glass, hard plastic, brown ironstone, or vitrolite. Doublets are commonly used to imitate solid black opals because the dark backing amplifies the play of colours in the opal.
The affordability of opal doublets makes them highly popular in the jewellery industry. They are perfect for ring designs due to their durability and vibrant colours. They are also lightweight and beautiful, making them ideal for various earring styles. The enhanced colour vibrancy of opal doublets also makes them a favourite for pendant designs.
It is important to note that opal doublets may require more careful handling and maintenance to keep their appearance pristine. They are prone to moisture damage, and prolonged exposure to water can cause the opal to become cloudy or the layers to separate. However, with proper care, opal doublets can be a beautiful and cost-effective alternative to solid opals.
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Doublets can be hard to distinguish from solid opals
Doublets and triplets are opal types that are partially man-made. They are created using natural opal and a man-made material. They are made from slices of opals that are glued to a "black backing" designed to imitate or copy the appearance of a solid opal. The black backing makes the colour look darker and more vibrant.
Opal doublets contain a thin sheet of precious opal cemented to an ironstone or black potch backing. The top of the stone consists of pure opal and can appear similar to a black opal or boulder opal. The black backing shows through the clear, solid opal, resulting in darker and more vibrant colours. Doublets are commonly used to imitate solid black opal.
It can be challenging to distinguish a doublet from a solid opal, especially if the sides of the stone are covered. However, a tell-tale sign of a doublet is a flat cabochon. A solid opal will have a more organic, jagged delineation between the coloured precious opal and the host rock.
To identify a doublet opal, you can look at the side of the opal. If the stone has been glued together, you will see a straight line where the black backing and the coloured opal meet. This is in contrast to a solid opal, which will appear solid when viewed from the side as it is not composed of different layers.
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Doublets are vulnerable to water damage
Opal doublets are a beautiful and more affordable alternative to solid opals. They are partially man-made and consist of multiple layers glued together. A high-quality opal doublet will have a genuine opal face with a man-made backing to add weight and substance. The top of the stone consists of pure opal, and therefore appears similar to a Black Opal or Boulder Opal. The dark backing may be black industrial glass, hard plastic, brown ironstone, or vitrolite.
However, opal doublets are vulnerable to water damage. The glue within doublets can soften when exposed to water, potentially causing them to fall apart. If water penetration occurs, the opal layer will begin to peel away, and the doublet will take on a foggy or cloudy appearance. This is because, over time, water exposure will cause lifting between the layers and the infiltration of water. While your opal doublet won't be ruined if you wear it in the shower once or are caught in the rain, it is highly advised that you avoid getting it wet to prevent water damage.
To care for your opal doublet, gently wipe it with a soft damp cloth and a mild detergent. Never soak or immerse the opal in water. Avoid exposing it to harsh chemicals such as bleach or ammonia, and do not use ultrasonic cleaners. It is also advisable to avoid high temperatures or low humidity extremes, as these can cause the opal to crack.
If your opal loses its shine or becomes scratched, bring it to an opal cutter for professional polishing. To store your opal for a long period of time, place it in cotton wool with a few drops of water and then into a sealed plastic bag. This will prevent water from coming out of the stone in low-humidity environments.
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Doublets are composite stones
The composite nature of doublets impacts their durability and value. The glue bonding the layers of a doublet opal can be damaged by heat or water, causing the opal layer to peel away. As a result, doublets are more susceptible to damage than solid opals and are generally less valuable. However, their affordability makes them a popular choice for jewellery, particularly pendants, rings, and earrings.
The creation of composite stones, such as doublets and triplets, involves gluing or fusing foreign materials to the opal. This distinguishes them from natural opals, which are solid stones composed solely of silica. The presence of foreign materials or multiple layers in an opal indicates that it is not a natural stone.
To identify a composite stone, it is essential to examine the opal from the side. A solid opal will appear homogeneous when viewed from the side, while a composite stone like a triplet will exhibit a straight line where the three layers meet. Additionally, the back of a triplet opal may appear plastic-like, further indicating its composite nature.
It is important to note that the term "composite stone" specifically refers to opals with foreign materials glued or fused to the back, such as doublets and triplets. Natural opals that have been cut and polished into gemstones are not considered composite stones, even though they have been modified from their natural state.
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Frequently asked questions
A man-made opal will be made of glass, plastic or resin. It will also have a systematic ordering of colour, with the pattern appearing in a repeated uniform way through the stone.
Australian doublet opals feature vivid colours and a dark body tone, often set in gold or silver jewellery settings. They are made with a thin layer of precious opal attached with glue to a layer of either black colourless opal or ironstone.
Australian doublet opals are more affordable than solid opals. They are a popular choice for those who want the look of a black opal without the expensive price tag.
