Are Ethiopian welo opals really expensive or not?

[gemvalue]

Dear All,
I would like to help my father buy anniversary gemstone ring gift, and I was thinking to get an Ethiopian welo opal gold ring.
I see some of them are really cheap prices and some are really expensive over $10,000, so my question is how the Opals are grading and whay some are so cheap and other so expensive, for example
This ring is selling for $39,000
Picture attached here is the link http://www.ebay.com/itm/370445125362

And the 2nd image of the ring start selling from $1.00
Picture attached here is the link http://www.ebay.com/itm/221497265911

Both rings are gold made one is 18K other is 14K but the pice is so so different! Do you think the 2nd ring is a good deal or there is something wrong?
Please advise
Thank you for your help

 

[distracts]

I don't know much about opals but I can tell you that the first ring is MUCH higher quality in terms of craftsmanship than the second. Also, the halo in the second is white sapphires rather than diamonds. Compared to the first, the second looks crappy and amateurish.

 

[chrono]

To add to Distract's post, the colour play of the 2nd opal doesn't look natural.

 

[gemvalue]

To add to Distract's post, the colour play of the 2nd opal doesn't look natural.

Chrono, did you see the video on the 2nd opal, there is a video which I can not post but you can see it going to the link and in my opinion it looks natural, the picture however does not look natural but you know photoshop

 

[athenaworth]

Welo opals are generally not as expensive as black opals. I. Fact they're much less expensive. There's definitely a difference in the play of color on those two opals but IMHO some ebay vendors try to take advantage of buyers who may not know what they're buying by really overcharging. Pricing has always been really inconsistent too. Try's checking out etsy instead. I've sen some really pretty Welos there.

 

[T L]

I think prices are going up on them however.

 

[chrono]

To add to Distract's post, the colour play of the 2nd opal doesn't look natural.

Chrono, did you see the video on the 2nd opal, there is a video which I can not post but you can see it going to the link and in my opinion it looks natural, the picture however does not look natural but you know photoshop

Wow, major photoshop work. I had to stare very hard and squint sideways to see any colour play at all.

I agree that the Australian black opals are generally far more expensive than the Welos.

 

[mochiko42]

Also the Facebook group Fine faceted gemstones and cabs market has Welos quite frequently as well as Dubnik opals

 

[LoversKites]

I think prices are going up on them however.

All prices are going up

You can look at opalauctions.com to get an idea of price and what is available. Not just Welos but all opals.

 

[athenaworth]

I think prices are going up on them however.

They are. Boulders are too. But nowhere near black opal prices yet.

ETA: I didn't look at the links this morning when I was responding (on my iPad - bad blinger) and thought they were both supposed to be Welos. A black opal of that size and color is going to be that expensive. In fact, it's pretty reasonably priced if the body color and POC is that impressive.

 

[gemvalue]

If the WELO Opal ring is real, I am not sure, but does GIA grading welo opals, I have not seen any welo opals with GIA report, I am asking because the price is good and if GIA accept to do a report on it that would be great.

 

[athenaworth]

I'm not sure GIA certified Welos but IMHO it isn't worth the price to send it becuase of their price. Don't get me wrong, I think they're gorgeous, but for the price point it may not be worth it. Also, if you do buy the welo be sure to read up on their care. They're extremely fragile. http://www.opalethiopia.com/index.php/welo-opals/gia-on-welo-opal/2-uncategorised

 

[sleepyspinel]

I am surprised that the above reference indicates Welo Opals to be fragile since the 2010 GiA Wel Opal article indicates "The opaque-to-translucent opals from Wegel Tena become transparent when soaked in water (hydrophane), are resistant to crazing, and are remarkably durable."

http://mineralsciences.si.edu/staff/pages/gaillou/Rondeau-etal_2010_Wollo-opals.pdf

For those who wish to read it for themselves.

 

[Fabio]

Hi everybody!

Sorry, if i use this conversation but I'm facing problem in starting a new one.

Somebody can help me to understand if the opals I bough are synthetic or not, please?

I have red that synthetic opals present snakeskin pattern and I think that mine have it, but i'm not sure.

Can you help me please?

Thanks a lot!