Black Opal Ring Opinion

[Bluemuse]

This pendant is reversible.

Very cool! And very beautiful!

 

[Bluemuse]

So I've got my doubts about a few things here; I don't think this is a Black Opal, nor do I think it's a doublet.
From what I am looking at, this appears to be a solid Crystal Opal. The body tone is not dark, so it's not what I would call a Black Opal and it's not as dark as most doublets are when finished. Probably Lightning Ridge but possibly Coober Pedy.

Regarding crazing; I can't tell by the photo, but it could be a line of potch going through the stone which is not harmful to the Opal at all. Crazed stones don't necessarily fall apart, but I tend to avoid listing any just to avoid any potential issues in the long term.

Thanks for the great feedback, @jordyonbass ! All this information is very helpful and most appreciated!
Now I have to read up on what potch is exactly. Guessing it’s like a natural filler formed as the stone forms? I’ll do some homework. Thanks again!

 

[Bluemuse]

It's very pretty but I would pass. If it is a crack (and it seems we cannot know for sure from the photos you have shared) it makes it vulnerable to breaking completely and even if the price is attractive if the opal breaks then the money you spent is thrown away. If it was not cracked a few hundred is a good price fo an opal like that. No red in it makes it less valuable but as @prs wrote it still could be worth more than a few hundred. I happen to love all darker color opals even those that are just blue and green. But oh add beautiful reds and it takes my breath away.

Personally, I wouldn't buy an opal now for a ring as it is risky for those of us who might hit our hands occasionally. Opals are fragile and as such I would wear them more as earrings or a necklace vs a ring or bracelet. JMO.

Since we are sharing photos. As anyone who owns a black opal can testify to they are notoriously challenging to photograph. I enjoy trying.

She looks more blue here.



A bit blurry but to see the colors.



She looks more green here.



And IIRC one of @yssie 's favorite pics of my opal.



It looks different at different times and in different environments and also depending on how long it has been since I wore her. In that way she is almost like a mood ring lol.

I love opals. They are magical and beautiful and take on many moods. Good luck with your opal search. @jordyonbass is our resident opal expert and I bet he can find you a gorgeous one to add to your collection.

Missy, your gorgeous ring is one of my all time favorites!! Such an iconic, classic piece.
The coloration is mesmerizing and that setting is so beautiful. And I remember the precious back story of it being a gift from your dad to your mom. You’re very lucky to be the keeper of such a treasure!

The ring I’m thinking about was really an accidental find. I’m not on the hunt for an opal ring exactly, just wanted to understand what it was and make sure I’m not skipping over something special.

I’m learning a lot through this post, so thank you everyone!

 

[jordyonbass]

Thanks for the great feedback, @jordyonbass ! All this information is very helpful and most appreciated!
Now I have to read up on what potch is exactly. Guessing it’s like a natural filler formed as the stone forms? I’ll do some homework. Thanks again!

Potch is Opal with no play of colour, and it can be crystal, white or black in colour. This is what we refer to as the body tone of the stone. There can be areas where this body tone changes and it goes from crystal to white/black or any other combination of those. I've got one Crystal Opal in my rough stocks with a black potch spot in it, another has a white potch spot on the side of an N1 Black Opal

EDIT: I took another look at the photos and I'm leaning towards it being crazed or potentially even cracked. I had a quick look last night when I made my initial reply but have since had a better look at your photos.

 

[Bluemuse]

Potch is Opal with no play of colour, and it can be crystal, white or black in colour. This is what we refer to as the body tone of the stone. There can be areas where this body tone changes and it goes from crystal to white/black or any other combination of those. I've got one Crystal Opal in my rough stocks with a black potch spot in it, another has a white potch spot on the side of an N1 Black Opal

EDIT: I took another look at the photos and I'm leaning towards it being crazed or potentially even cracked. I had a quick look last night when I made my initial reply but have since had a better look at your photos.

Thanks for checking back and explaining what potch is @jordyonbass !! So interesting. And I appreciate your closer look at my photos.

 

[minousbijoux]

It's very pretty but I would pass. If it is a crack (and it seems we cannot know for sure from the photos you have shared) it makes it vulnerable to breaking completely and even if the price is attractive if the opal breaks then the money you spent is thrown away. If it was not cracked a few hundred is a good price fo an opal like that. No red in it makes it less valuable but as @prs wrote it still could be worth more than a few hundred. I happen to love all darker color opals even those that are just blue and green. But oh add beautiful reds and it takes my breath away.

Personally, I wouldn't buy an opal now for a ring as it is risky for those of us who might hit our hands occasionally. Opals are fragile and as such I would wear them more as earrings or a necklace vs a ring or bracelet. JMO.

Since we are sharing photos. As anyone who owns a black opal can testify to they are notoriously challenging to photograph. I enjoy trying.

She looks more blue here.



A bit blurry but to see the colors.



She looks more green here.



And IIRC one of @yssie 's favorite pics of my opal.



It looks different at different times and in different environments and also depending on how long it has been since I wore her. In that way she is almost like a mood ring lol.

I love opals. They are magical and beautiful and take on many moods. Good luck with your opal search. @jordyonbass is our resident opal expert and I bet he can find you a gorgeous one to add to your collection.

LOVE!! All time favorite opal and ring! If I could rock that, I sure would. A glass of chilled bubbly, some silk pjs and slippers, and I would work it, girl!

 

[partgypsy]

I think it has beautiful colors (I don't mind opals that are blue/green/yellow only) but yes it looks like a crack across it, which would be no go for me.

My oldest daughter loves black opals, really opals of any kind but she gravitates towards black opal. If I got a modest crystal or black opal ring for her, where would be a good place to find one? It's OK if set in sterling. I believe her ring size is 7 or around that. She already has a triplet as well as an ethiopian opal piece but would be nice to give her a real australian opal at some point. I wouldn't buy it for her, I would let her pick it out since opal preferences seem so personal.

 

[Bluemuse]

I think it has beautiful colors (I don't mind opals that are blue/green/yellow only) but yes it looks like a crack across it, which would be no go for me.

My oldest daughter loves black opals, really opals of any kind but she gravitates towards black opal. If I got a modest crystal or black opal ring for her, where would be a good place to find one? It's OK if set in sterling. I believe her ring size is 7 or around that.

Thanks @partgypsy ! I also love the colors of this ring. My sweet spot of colors...blue and green!
Not sure if I’ll be heading back to check on it re the crack. It would be a no go if it has one and that seems to be the consensus based on photos.
Hopefully others can guide you where to look for your daughter’s ring. That sounds like a lovely idea. My daughter is 30 now and she has chosen which of my rings she’d like to have later on. She’s pretty earthy, but does appreciate the sentiment and beauty of certain pieces.
Good luck with your search!

 

[Bluemuse]

So just to follow up, I did return to check out the ring and sure enough the stone was cracked straight through to the back, so it was a no go. Thanks for all the advise and input on this brief opal exploration. I appreciate gaining a bit more opal knowledge.

 

[bright&shiny]

@Bluemuse, I'm sorry it didn't work out, but I'm sure you'll find another

 

[Bluemuse]

@Bluemuse, I'm sorry it didn't work out, but I'm sure you'll find another

Thanks so much! Not meant to be.
Always have my eyes open for those interesting finds.