Black Opal Ring Opinion

[Bluemuse]

I saw this black opal ring at the flea market this weekend. It was quite beautiful in its coloration and was solid, not a doublet according to the vendor. It was surrounded by a halo of old mine cut stones, so definitely antique, maybe Victorian.

While it caught my eye, I decided to pass since I’m not in the market for one per se.
I’m trying to be good, lol

Now I realize I might have passed on something special. I forget the price, but I think it was a few hundred $’s.
This vendor is hit or miss, but sometimes he has nice antique pieces at very good prices.

For the opal lovers out there, does this look worthwhile? I know very little about opals.
I just know that black opals with strong coloration are considered desirable and it was a beautiful stone/ring.

TIA for any insights you might have!!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Just wanted to say great taste (as always) and I love how intense the color is even if it doesn’t have the highly sought after red color. If the price is right, she may make a good friend for Elena!

Not sure if there’s a thin white line I see at 3 o clock? Opals with any surface crazing/cracks may require more TLC and proper adjustment in price.

The PS opals I love are @missy and her Cartier ring (so gorgeous!) and @yssie and her dreamy earrings and @Bron357 and her stunning blossom ring. I feel at least to my untrained eye those opals really have all the colors one could ever desire! Perhaps one of them could chime in and help you also.

 

[pearaffair]

Would you wear it?
Would you want it even if it wasn’t a deal?

 

[Bluemuse]

Just wanted to say great taste (as always) and I love how intense the color is even if it doesn’t have the highly sought after red color. If the price is right, she may make a good friend for Elena!

Not sure if there’s a thin white line I see at 3 o clock? Opals with any surface crazing/cracks may require more TLC and proper adjustment in price.

The PS opals I love are @missy and her Cartier ring (so gorgeous!) and @yssie and her dreamy earrings and @Bron357 and her stunning blossom ring. I feel at least to my untrained eye those opals really have all the colors one could ever desire! Perhaps one of them could chime in and help you also.

Thanks for your input @Pinkmartini87 !
So appreciated!
Yes, I wondered about a line that I saw in the photos, which I didn’t see in person.
I can’t say I inspected it very closely, mostly bc I decided pretty quickly I should pass.
I worry about the relative fragility of opals.
I would have to revisit (if it’s still there) and do a thorough inspection.

I too am an ardent fan of the beautiful pieces you mentioned of @missy, @yssie and @Bron357 , all in a different stratosphere of beautiful opals!

just second guessing myself..

 

[Bluemuse]

Would you wear it?
Would you want it even if it wasn’t a deal?

Yes, exactly right! That’s what I need to answer for myself. Do I really want an opal ring?
Would I wear and enjoy it?

On the other hand, perhaps this is a reasonable opportunity to test out and experience having one. Maybe I’ll love it and be very happy I did.

some thinking to do...
Thanks, @pearaffair for keeping it real

 

[GliderPoss]

It's gorgeous, I'd wear it but definitely can see what looks like a fracture or crack through the middle...?

 

[Bluemuse]

It's gorgeous, I'd wear it but definitely can see what looks like a fracture or crack through the middle...?

Thanks for chiming in @GliderPoss !
Wow, your avatar ring looks amazing
I have to go have a closer look!

yes, this one would need a closer look to see what that line is all about.

 

[prs]

If it's a real Lightning Ridge black opal with no fracture, the stone itself could be worth well over $1,000. In the second photo there appears to be some really vivid areas of blue, green, and yellow. I don't see too many dull areas with no color, but you'll have to check that for yourself as you tilt the gem and judge the play of color.

 

[Bluemuse]

If it's a real Lightning Ridge black opal with no fracture, the stone itself could be worth well over $1,000. In the second photo there appears to be some really vivid areas of blue, green, and yellow. I don't see too many dull areas with no color, but you'll have to check that for yourself as you tilt the gem and judge the play of color.

Thank you @prs for shedding some light!
That is great to know. I don’t think I’ll be able to get any origin info from the vendor.
He just sells what lands in his lap from auctions, clean outs, etc.

It was from the photos that I noticed some flecks and areas of intense color, the intense blue at the top and the small bit of orange gold at the bottom.
I spent very little time looking it over in person as I was pressed for time.
Seems like it would be worth revisiting at least for my own curiosity and to see what my impressions are after further inspection from different angles.

 

[prs]

If it's really a black opal the odds are it's from Lightning Ridge. I'm no expert but I wonder if more certainty could be gained by looking at the back of the stone, calling @jordyonbass and @Bron357

 

[icy_jade]

I think is worth a second look if you can’t stop thinking about it.

But if indeed a crack, then would be a no go for me. Would a crack be a deal breaker for you?

 

[Bluemuse]

I think is worth a second look if you can’t stop thinking about it.

But if indeed a crack, then would be a no go for me. Would a crack be a deal breaker for you?

Yes, a crack definitely would be a dealbreaker for me. I guess they can be “mended”?
But not really interested in getting into that.
I’ll probably try to get back for a second look.
thanks @icy_jade!

 

[Bron357]

Lovely ring.
Stone lines aren’t an automatic “no no”, it’s not uncommon with older opals but if present you want a bezel setting because that provides adequate protection. Opals shouldn’t be seen as “every day wear” rings In any regard, they are soft so best reserved for special occasions.
It is a lovely opal, it’s showing decent play of colour across the stone but no red.
Opals that show red are more expensive because it is the rarer colour. How opals make colour is the size of theIf microscopic spheres of silica, you need the biggest spheres to develop correctly to create the red colour followed by orange then yellow.
If it was less than say $750 US it’s a good buy in my opinion but of course only if you NEED an opal ring.
If you are going back take a loupe and check if the line breaks the surface AND runs the full width of the opal. If yes it will need more gentle care.
My big Opal ring has a stone line, visible on some angles but I’ve owned the ring nearly 30 years and the line is stable. The opal is also bezel set which provides better protection

 

[Bluemuse]

Lovely ring.
Stone lines aren’t an automatic “no no”, it’s not uncommon with older opals but if present you want a bezel setting because that provides adequate protection. Opals shouldn’t be seen as “every day wear” rings In any regard, they are soft so best reserved for special occasions.
It is a lovely opal, it’s showing decent play of colour across the stone but no red.
Opals that show red are more expensive because it is the rarer colour. How opals make colour is the size of theIf microscopic spheres of silica, you need the biggest spheres to develop correctly to create the red colour followed by orange then yellow.
If it was less than say $750 US it’s a good buy in my opinion but of course only if you NEED an opal ring.
If you are going back take a loupe and check if the line breaks the surface AND runs the full width of the opal. If yes it will need more gentle care.
My big Opal ring has a stone line, visible on some angles but I’ve owned the ring nearly 30 years and the line is stable. The opal is also bezel set which provides better protection

Thanks so much @Bron357 for your expert opinion. It is appreciated!
All very helpful information for me to consider
If I go back for another look. I love that they’re called story lines rather than cracks. It will be interesting to revisit now that I’m armed with a bit more information.
The question still remains as to whether I need an opal ring. I may not know for sure unless I see it again.

 

[Bluemuse]

@Bron357 thank you for sharing the photo of your gorgeous opal! The pool of red in the center is dreamy and so interesting. It must just shimmer in the sun.
Good to know about the bezel setting.
Glad the one I’m considering is already set in a bezel.

 

[pearaffair]

Yes, exactly right! That’s what I need to answer for myself. Do I really want an opal ring?
Would I wear and enjoy it?

On the other hand, perhaps this is a reasonable opportunity to test out and experience having one. Maybe I’ll love it and be very happy I did.

some thinking to do...
Thanks, @pearaffair for keeping it real

Heh I have to ask myself these questions all the time!

Also: do you wear pearls? If you consider them fragile, and don’t wear them because of that, you might feel the same way about opal. That’s what happens to me. My pearls and opals never get worn!

 

[Bluemuse]

Heh I have to ask myself these questions all the time!

Also: do you wear pearls? If you consider them fragile, and don’t wear them because of that, you might feel the same way about opal. That’s what happens to me. My pearls and opals never get worn!

Lol Yes! I’ve tried to adopt the idea that I can appreciate something without needing it to be mine. And to take it a step further, think about the idea of leaving it for the next person who comes along to love.

I do like pearls, a lot! I have a small collection that mostly get warn in cooler months for some reason. And on special occasions or outings. I wore some recently at a small get together with friends. It felt good getting a little dressed up since everything’s been so casual lately.

 

[pearaffair]

Sounds like you would wear it then! Also it’s so so pretty. However I will share with you all of the questions and thoughts I’ve been making myself face when I want to buy something:

The best deal in the world is a total waste if you’re buying something you won’t wear/use!!

Would it make you happy every time you think about it? *Not thinking if you could sell it later!*

Less, but better

Did I want it before I saw it?

Perfection is an illusion

Buy better, not more. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY!

Things are easier to buy than to sell!!!

HALT - hungry? angry? lonely? tired?

The fallacy of “I’ll be happy if I just lose 10lbs, if I just buy the perfect ring...”

**ONLY BUY JEWELLERY YOU WILL WEAR EVERY DAY**

Ask: Does it fit your lifestyle??

You can’t buy jewelry as a way of coping with life. You have to just sit with life.

YOU CAN NEVER BUY ENOUGH OF WHAT YOU DON’T NEED

I CAN LOVE SOMETHING WITHOUT BUYING IT

DONT BUY THINGS TO COLLECT; BUY TO ENJOY (you can’t buy it to add to the personal museum)

CURATING A GREAT COLLECTION IS MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU LET GO OF, MORE THAN WHAT YOU ACQUIRE.

MORE LEADS TO MORE, AND LESS LEADS TO LESS.

Get rid of anything in your life that no longer serves your best interest.

My kids don’t need to inherit a great bounty. It’s more meaningful if they inherit a few things I truly treasured. Or instead of things- values, memories, love.

How easily would you spend $X elsewhere??

Fear and appreciation cannot exist in your brain at the same time.

—-

I hope these points to ponder help you find clarity!

 

[arkieb1]

It looks like it has a crack to me. Going right across it, that means if you bump it the wrong way it can in theory shatter or break into pieces and yes I've had that happen both to opals and to other gemstones before. I personally would never buy an antique piece with that type of crack in it.

 

[yssie]

When I go to flea markets I find vintage mickey mouse shaped soaps - I am frequenting the wrong places

Ditto @Bron357, crazing isn’t a hard #Don’t for me. It depends on where the fractures break the surface, how far into the stone they extend, and how the stone will be set and worn. And ditto Bron again, whilst red is valued by trade, I’ll take a bright blazing blue or green over a half-hearted red any day!!

My bigger concern on this stone is how the vendor has determined that this isn’t a doublet. My understanding is that
1. If the underside is polished (ie. Double sided opal), it’s solid
2. If the underside is a synthetic material, it’s a doublet
3. If the underside is poch/rock, it could be solid, but it could also still be a doublet...

If anyone would have insight it’s definitely @jordyonbass!!

 

[Bluemuse]

Sounds like you would wear it then! Also it’s so so pretty. However I will share with you all of the questions and thoughts I’ve been making myself face when I want to buy something:

The best deal in the world is a total waste if you’re buying something you won’t wear/use!!

Would it make you happy every time you think about it? *Not thinking if you could sell it later!*

Less, but better

Did I want it before I saw it?

Perfection is an illusion

Buy better, not more. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY!

Things are easier to buy than to sell!!!

HALT - hungry? angry? lonely? tired?

The fallacy of “I’ll be happy if I just lose 10lbs, if I just buy the perfect ring...”

**ONLY BUY JEWELLERY YOU WILL WEAR EVERY DAY**

Ask: Does it fit your lifestyle??

You can’t buy jewelry as a way of coping with life. You have to just sit with life.

YOU CAN NEVER BUY ENOUGH OF WHAT YOU DON’T NEED

I CAN LOVE SOMETHING WITHOUT BUYING IT

DONT BUY THINGS TO COLLECT; BUY TO ENJOY (you can’t buy it to add to the personal museum)

CURATING A GREAT COLLECTION IS MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU LET GO OF, MORE THAN WHAT YOU ACQUIRE.

MORE LEADS TO MORE, AND LESS LEADS TO LESS.

Get rid of anything in your life that no longer serves your best interest.

My kids don’t need to inherit a great bounty. It’s more meaningful if they inherit a few things I truly treasured. Or instead of things- values, memories, love.

How easily would you spend $X elsewhere??

Fear and appreciation cannot exist in your brain at the same time.

—-

I hope these points to ponder help you find clarity!

Love this collection of ideas to apply to our jewelry wonderings. I am familiar with several of the concepts you’ve mentioned.
It’s so true that we can let the cart pull us instead of taking a pause and really evaluating our motives and potential pitfalls of giving into our impulses.
I operate on gut instinct, but I’m also cautious by nature and like to evaluate a situation/purchase before diving in head first.
Really appreciate your input @pearaffair !
Thank you!

 

[arkieb1]

The other thing to always consider is price, if it's a good price that setting alone is worth a bit of money so even if the opal did break if you bumped it accidentally if you like the setting (which is pretty) you could get another opal or gemstone custom cut if the worst case did happen.

 

[Bluemuse]

It looks like it has a crack to me. Going right across it, that means if you bump it the wrong way it can in theory shatter or break into pieces and yes I've had that happen both to opals and to other gemstones before. I personally would never buy an antique piece with that type of crack in it.

Thank you @arkieb1! Good to know.
Having no experience personally with opals, I appreciate the advice.

 

[Bluemuse]

The other thing to always consider is price, if it's a good price that setting alone is worth a bit of money so even if the opal did break if you bumped it accidentally if you like the setting (which is pretty) you could get another opal or gemstone custom cut if the worst case did happen.

True! I noticed that the diamonds were omc’s, but didn’t check for quality and condition. Overal impression of the ring condition was good so I think replacing the center stone if it came to that could make it worthwhile.

 

[Bluemuse]

When I go to flea markets I find vintage mickey mouse shaped soaps - I am frequenting the wrong places

Ditto @Bron357, crazing isn’t a hard #Don’t for me. It depends on where the fractures break the surface, how far into the stone they extend, and how the stone will be set and worn. And ditto Bron again, whilst red is valued by trade, I’ll take a bright blazing blue or green over a half-hearted red any day!!

My bigger concern on this stone is how the vendor has determined that this isn’t a doublet. My understanding is that
1. If the underside is polished (ie. Double sided opal), it’s solid
2. If the underside is a synthetic material, it’s a doublet
3. If the underside is poch/rock, it could be solid, but it could also still be a doublet...

If anyone would have insight it’s definitely @jordyonbass!!

Thanks @yssie for jumping in!
We are lucky to have some good vintage/antique flea markets in our area with several jewelry vendors. Some have stale inventory, but you never know what might pop up.
I also love the blazing green and blue (two of my very favorite colors) of some opals. This seems to have a bit, though not nearly as dramatic as some I’ve seen.

I’ll have another look at the bottom and take a photo if I go this weekend. So would a solid opal have a colored bottom or black bottom?
Or does that depend on the particular rough it comes from?
Guess I better get reading

 

[Bron357]

This is what the back of my opal pendant looks like, it’s not reversible ha ha.
With my ring you can’t see the back it’s fully enclosed but there is a trick for getting the light onto the edge of the opal that indicates a triplet. With a Doublet it isn’t possible to detect without seeing the back but the depth of the opal pattern can help.
The antique Aussie opal in my ring has different colour plays depending on the angle, this would suggest a thicker opal so a solid rather than a doublet.

 

[Bluemuse]

This is what the back of my opal pendant looks like, it’s not reversible ha ha.
With my ring you can’t see the back it’s fully enclosed but there is a trick for getting the light onto the edge of the opal that indicates a triplet. With a Doublet it isn’t possible to detect without seeing the back but the depth of the opal pattern can help.
The antique Aussie opal in my ring has different colour plays depending on the angle, this would suggest a thicker opal so a solid rather than a doublet.

Wow, that is some collection @Bron357 !
Really impressive! I’m taking notes!
So I can see with your pendant it’s obvious that it’s solid since the coloration on the back parallels the polished front side.
Makes sense that it gets trickier when the back isn’t exposed, but there are clues as you said like depth of pattern.
With a bezel set stone I’m not sure with my untrained eyes what I’ll be able to figure out but I’ll bring my loupe and do my best.
Thank you for the photos and primer on solid vs backed opals.

 

[Bron357]

This pendant is reversible.

 

[jordyonbass]

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.

 

[missy]

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.