Gemstone Appraisals Center

How To Tell If It Is Real Opal & Gold Question: I have just purchased a brooch from a flea market of all places, it caught my eye and I really liked it.

Opal: The Phenomenal Gemstone

Price: $40.00

It is pretty simple gold in colour with what looks like an opal in the middle but I would like to know what the markings on the back mean..... K T G F and what looks like a 'Y' attached to an upside down 'T' and the remains of 2 backwards 'S' joined together.

The opal looks red/dark pink when held up to artificial light?

I would just like to know how I can tell if it is a real opal and what the metal is?

I hope that I have the correct place to ask this question, if not I apologize.

Many thanks for your time.

Answer: G'day Emma and many thanks for your query.

The first thing is the Hallmarks are not standard gold marks. While the letters and numbers are probably just a Makers or Store name or even a design number.

With regard the opal: You should NOT be able to see through the gemstone as opal reflects colors from it and not through it. The body color can be solid white, grey or black, and while there are SOME Crystal opal which you can see through, they are not the normal.

You need to take it to your local FRIENDLY gemologist Jewelry appraiser and have them take a look at it. They should be able to confirm it is - what you hope it is BEFORE charging you. If they won't - find another one!

If you go the next step of having a full gemological appraisal, you will have a written report and can stop guessing. It's the only way really, as I can't see it, feel it, measure or test it.

You might also like to add this query to my blog at http://online-jewelry-appraisals.com/ as other may have had a similar problem. Can't hurt anyway and who knows what answers you may get.

Hope this helps...