Yes, purple opal is real, but naturally occurring opals with a distinct and vibrant purple body color are exceptionally rare. While subtle purple hues can sometimes be found in natural opals, many of the intensely purple opals seen on the market today, especially those with a vivid and uniform color, have undergone treatment to enhance their color.
The Nuance of Purple Opal
Opal is a unique gemstone known for its captivating play-of-color, which is the internal rainbow of spectral colors that shifts with the angle of observation. Its body color can range widely, from white and black to blue, green, and orange. Naturally occurring purple in opal is generally very subtle or present as an undertone rather than a dominant, intense hue.
Naturally Occurring Purple Hues
In rare instances, natural opals may display a purple tint as part of their body color or play-of-color. These can include:
- Some black opals: May exhibit flashes of violet or purple as part of their vibrant spectrum.
- Boulder opals: The ironstone matrix can sometimes complement the opal's play-of-color, creating an overall impression that includes purplish tones.
- Common opal (potch): While lacking play-of-color, some varieties of common opal can naturally occur in various colors, including faint purples. However, these are generally opaque and not prized for their color in the same way as precious opal.
Understanding Enhanced Purple Opals
The emergence of strikingly vivid purple opals in the market has introduced a new dimension to this gemstone. These stones often display a powerful play-of-color against an unusually intense purple body, unlike what has historically been observed in naturally occurring precious opals.
The Rise of Dyed Purple Opals
Recent discoveries have brought opals with strikingly vivid purple bodycolors to the market, often displaying powerful play-of-color. These stones, reportedly from new deposits in Mexico, possess a distinct and intense purple hue that is quite unlike what is typically observed in naturally occurring play-of-color opals. Gemological analyses indicate that many of these intensely colored specimens are hydrophane opals that have been dyed to achieve their vibrant purple. Hydrophane opals are a porous variety of opal that can absorb water, often becoming more transparent and displaying enhanced play-of-color when wet. This porosity makes them susceptible to dye treatments.
Characteristics of these dyed purple hydrophane opals often include:
- Uniform and intense color: The purple hue is remarkably consistent and saturated throughout the stone.
- Vividness: The color can be startlingly bright, setting it apart from the more subdued tones of most natural opals.
- Porous nature: As hydrophane opals, they may absorb water, which can temporarily alter their appearance.
- Recent market appearance: Their prevalence is a relatively new phenomenon in the gem trade.
Identifying Natural vs. Treated Purple Opal
Distinguishing between natural and treated purple opals is crucial for buyers. Here's a comparison to help differentiate them:
| Feature | Natural Purple Opal (Extremely Rare) | Dyed Purple Hydrophane Opal (Commonly Seen) |
|---|---|---|
| Color Intensity | Often subtle, pastel, or an undertone of purple. | Vivid, intense, and uniformly saturated purple. |
| Color Distribution | Can be uneven, part of a broader color palette. | Consistent, evenly distributed throughout the stone, sometimes with dye concentration along fissures. |
| Play-of-Color | Integrates naturally with inherent bodycolor. | May appear exceptionally strong or distinct against an unnatural, uniform bodycolor. |
| Transparency | Varies; bodycolor is inherent to the stone's structure. | Often from porous hydrophane material, which can absorb water and temporarily change appearance. |
| Origin of Hue | Natural trace elements within the silica structure. | External dye introduced into the stone's porous structure. |
| Market Appearance | Almost never seen as primary purple stones; historical specimens are collectors' items. | Recently prevalent, especially from new sources; widely available in jewelry. |
| Price Point | If found, would be exceptionally high due to rarity. | Generally more affordable than comparable natural precious opals. |
Tips for Buyers
When considering a purple opal, especially one with a strikingly vivid hue:
- Always ask for disclosure: Reputable jewelers and gem dealers will disclose any treatments applied to gemstones.
- Request a gemological report: For significant purchases, ask for a report from an independent, recognized gemological laboratory (e.g., GIA, AGS). These reports will identify treatments.
- Examine the color carefully: Look for unnaturally uniform color, especially along fissures or in areas where dye might concentrate.
- Understand hydrophane properties: If the opal is hydrophane, be aware that its appearance can change with exposure to water or humidity.
Why the Distinction Matters
Understanding whether a purple opal is natural or treated is important for several reasons:
- Value: Natural, untreated opals, particularly rare colors, command significantly higher prices than their treated counterparts.
- Durability and Care: Treatments can sometimes affect the long-term stability or care requirements of a gemstone. Dyed opals may fade over time or react to certain chemicals.
- Ethical Considerations: Transparency in the gem trade ensures fair pricing and honest representation of products.
