Opal in Native American jewelry ranges from natural Australian and Mexican opal to lab-created opal, depending on the piece. Natural precious opal shows a shifting “play of color,” while man-made opal offers that flash affordably and consistently. A reputable seller discloses which kind a piece contains.
Opal is not a crystal but a hydrated form of silica, valued for its “play of color” — the way fine opal flashes shifting spectral hues as it moves in the light. Precious opal shows that play; common opal (sometimes called potch) does not. Because opal holds water, it is softer than most gems and a little more delicate.
Natural opal in jewelry comes mainly from Australia, the world's dominant source of white and black precious opal, and from Mexico, known for warm fire opal. These are genuine gemstones, and fine play-of-color opal can be very valuable. Their natural patterns are unique to each stone.
You will also encounter lab-created (synthetic) opal, which shares the basic composition of natural opal but is grown in a laboratory. It produces a bright, even, often more vivid play of color at a fraction of the price, and it is harder and more practical for everyday inlay. It is a legitimate material when sold honestly — the issue is only disclosure.
In Southwestern jewelry, opal appears most often as inlay and as accent stones, its fire adding a jewel-like sparkle against silver and alongside turquoise. Both natural and lab opal are used, and the choice affects both price and care, which is why naming the type matters.
Opal needs gentle treatment: avoid knocks, sudden temperature changes, harsh chemicals, and prolonged soaking. When you buy, ask whether the opal is natural or lab-created and, if natural, where it is from — a careful seller states this plainly and names the maker.