Any Opal lovers out there? Show and Tell please.

[chatoyancy]

Thank you so much!!

You’re welcome!

 

[Sagebrush]

I thought you all might enjoy seeing an example of a truly fine black harlequin opal. I sourced this stone some years ago for a client and set it in a ring. It may be currently viewed at The Yale-Peabody Museum of Natural History in New Haven.

 

[lambskin]

 

[lambskin]

I was recently at TJ Maxx, Ross and Marshalls and saw imitation opal jewelry for sale. Not all imitation opals are created equal but I was surprised at some of the stones I saw. The synthetic opal stones on offer were small and set in sterling. They looked pretty real. Upon closer inspection, these opals simulate crystal (not black) opals that either are more blue and green in color while others tend to have more red and yellow flashes. The jewelry was marked as simulated, man made or imitation. But if the designation was not there, to the untrained eye, some of these opals look really good. The quality of these synthetics has greatly improved over the years. I was intrigued and searched You Tube to find videos about spotting these fakes. They are pretty helpful and even show these stones cut in half and viewed microscopically to show how the 'pinpoint' flashes are created. If anyone is in the market for opals, you should check these videos out.

 

[ilovegemstones]

A few new opals I adore. The pear is a Brazilan, the triangle is from Lightening Ridge and the rectangle is a boulder opal that reminds me of tree bark and falling code from The Matrix.

 

[theredspinel]

A few new opals I adore. The pear is a Brazilan, the triangle is from Lightening Ridge and the rectangle is a boulder opal that reminds me of tree bark and falling code from The Matrix.

ILG... where do you purchase your stunning opals from if you don't mind me asking?

 

[ilovegemstones]

Sure! Opals by Margie on Etsy cuts some and the boulder opals are cut by Keith Cler. The amazing settings are from Amity Reed on Etsy. These are her photos. My most favourite opal is the triangle boulder opal cut by Keith Cler!

 

[theredspinel]

Sure! Opals by Margie on Etsy cuts some and the boulder opals are cut by Keith Cler. The amazing settings are from Amity Reed on Etsy. These are her photos. My most favourite opal is the triangle boulder opal cut by Keith Cler!

Thank you so much for the vendors details!! I can't get enough of your opal pictures

 

[missy]

Loving all the gorgeous Opal additions.

 

[ilovegemstones]

c

A couple more boulder opals cut by Keith Kler and set by Amity Reed.

 

[leslie1956]

Opal ring and pendants set by Yvonne Raley. Opals are my birthstone

 

[theredspinel]

c

A couple more boulder opals cut by Keith Kler and set by Amity Reed.

ILG

Would you consider doing an entire opal family pic??? Please pretty please..

One picture to rule them all...

 

[eapj]

I never cared for opals but now that I see what good ones look like, I like them! This forum is dangerous.

 

[ilovegemstones]

lol redspinel I will try!

 

[Vesper]

That ring is just dreamy

 

[leslie1956]

Thank you, Vesper Yvonne did a great job on this ring. It's hard to see in this picture, but the red spinel picks up nicely on the reddish-orange tones in the opal.

 

[Catmom]

For my newest opal project.............[bad, bad cell phone pics]

 

[LoveRed]

I'm Australian and I love opals. Strangely though, most Aussies don't like them. It may have a lot to do with the absolutely dreadful opals some stores try to sell.
I have a rather large one that came to me by good fortune. I paid $100 for it (unset) at a garage (yard) sale because the dear lady refused anymore (she originally said $20). I will accordingly never sell it.
It isn't "rock star" quality but it has a lot of charm. It's like there is something "trapped" within the stone. I love it. Opals are all the colours of all the gems rolled into one! I wear it on a gold wire choker (lest it swing and crash into something as pendants of such size and weight are apt to do if hanging on a chain).
Each side is different and excuse my poor qualityiPad photos at night.
Anyone else have a lovely opal they'd care to share?

View attachment 626890 Since we are talking about my Ruby, is this opal any good, it’s huge

 

[Bron357]

View attachment 626890 Since we are talking about my Ruby, is this opal any good, it’s huge

Hi again, very beautiful and a stunning setting.
it’s a white opal, which are considered the least valuable of all opal varieties.
I personally prefer crystal and white opals to other varieties.
Yours looks like it’s a harlequin pattern to me (that’s a better play of colour pattern btw)
Opals are assessed by the play of colour against their background. Play of colour has a number of different categories/ patterns and some are much rarer, hence more valuable than others.
The background can be crystal ie translucent, or white, yellowish, grey and dark grey. Black opals actually have a dark grey, not black, background.
Colours in the colour play are also assessed, at one end you have predominately green and blue, up to lots of red and orange.
The top opal is considered black opal with broad red flashes that traverse the whole stone. Red flash is interesting and very desirable in that it will display through the whole rainbow spectrum as you rotate the gem under a light source.
Size is also important. Carat weight over 10 carats is considered substantial. Opals have a lower density than say rubies so for their visual size, they actually weigh (carat weight) less.
Opal has a lower hardness, about 6, so some care is needed. They are definitely better off in a pendant or earrings than a ring or bracelet. The top surface can be abraided and they are known to chip fairly readily if hit against a hard surface.
Avoid perfumes and lotions, never clean in an ultrasonic cleaner and don’t store in a hot, dry place. Opal are high in water content and if they “dry out” they can craze.
Every opal is different and a masterpiece of nature.

 

[LoveRed]

Hi again, very beautiful and a stunning setting.
it’s a white opal, which are considered the least valuable of all opal varieties.
I personally prefer crystal and white opals to other varieties.
Yours looks like it’s a harlequin pattern to me (that’s a better play of colour pattern btw)
Opals are assessed by the play of colour against their background. Play of colour has a number of different categories/ patterns and some are much rarer, hence more valuable than others.
The background can be crystal ie translucent, or white, yellowish, grey and dark grey. Black opals actually have a dark grey, not black, background.
Colours in the colour play are also assessed, at one end you have predominately green and blue, up to lots of red and orange.
The top opal is considered black opal with broad red flashes that traverse the whole stone. Red flash is interesting and very desirable in that it will display through the whole rainbow spectrum as you rotate the gem under a light source.
Size is also important. Carat weight over 10 carats is considered substantial. Opals have a lower density than say rubies so for their visual size, they actually weigh (carat weight) less.
Opal has a lower hardness, about 6, so some care is needed. They are definitely better off in a pendant or earrings than a ring or bracelet. The top surface can be abraided and they are known to chip fairly readily if hit against a hard surface.
Avoid perfumes and lotions, never clean in an ultrasonic cleaner and don’t store in a hot, dry place. Opal are high in water content and if they “dry out” they can craze.
Every opal is different and a masterpiece of nature.

Thanks for the info. It’s pretty big at 30mm by 25mm and dome like. Have no idea of per carat price. It is pretty for sure.thanks again.

 

[Catmom]

It's here!!!

 

[LoveRed]

That’s awesome!

 

[minousbijoux]

CatMom, that is unbelievably gorgeous! Wowza. Your collection is just amazing.

 

[Catmom]

That’s awesome!

Thanks LoveRed!

CatMom, that is unbelievably gorgeous! Wowza. Your collection is just amazing.

Aww thanks minousbijoux! I am so happy with how it came out. Did I mention its also a pin/brooch?

 

[minousbijoux]

Ooh, no. You will absolutely rock it as a brooch - can you take some pics of it worn as a brooch pretty please?

 

[Catmom]

Ooh, no. You will absolutely rock it as a brooch - can you take some pics of it worn as a brooch pretty please?

Oh yeah, it will be worn as a brooch quite often! I will try and get some pics today of it as a brooch. The weather here is awful and of course it's supposed to rain all week. All I want is an hour of sun for some sun pics. sigh.

 

[missy]

@Catmom Swoon! Yes to brooch and pendant. Versatile and beautiful.

 

[Catmom]

@Catmom Swoon! Yes to brooch and pendant. Versatile and beautiful.

Thanks!!

Here are a couple brooch pics....it's storming outside so no sun pics yet. Please disregard the cat hair and lint on my black sweater, lol.

 

[missy]

Thanks!!

Here are a couple brooch pics....it's storming outside so no sun pics yet. Please disregard the cat hair and lint on my black sweater, lol.

LOVE the contrast of the opal pendant on the dark sweater. What a beauty.

 

[Catmom]

LOVE the contrast of the opal pendant on the dark sweater. What a beauty.

Thanks missy. That's the only way I can safely wear it until next week when my jeweler can do a make over on it.