Opal is a precious not a semi-precious gemstone and is usually presented as solids, doublets, and triplets, depending on the nature and thickness of the color band.

Solid opals are the most valuable and are cut from seam opal having a thick color band with bright or regular color pattern.

Doublets are made by gluing slices of precious opal to a common opal (potch) backing with blackened cement, usually an epoxy resin. The dark backing enhances the colors of the opal.

Triplets are made by adding a clear protective cap of quartz or glass to a doublet. The slices of precious opal used for triplets are thinner than for doublets and are therefore less expensive.

Australian Opal Cutters P/L offers a lifetime guarantee against delamination for all their opal doublets and triplets