Bought and returned an opal ring

[pearaffair]

It was beautiful, but I got worried that maybe it would be too fragile for daily wear, and I was also thinking it was a doublet (although I’m not sure) and I don’t think I want a doublet.

What do you guys think of this ring? I feel like I loved the setting more than the opal.

I love black opals. Maybe I will look for a necklace?

 

[pearaffair]

It’s listed as a cabochon... can you tell from this pic if its a doublet?

 

[SandyinAnaheim]

I don't know that much about opals, so I don't know if it's a doublet without being able to see the whole stone from the side and underneath, but the color play on the stone is lovely. Personally, I would have returned it too as I prefer slightly more intricate settings. I'm sorry you weren't in love with it!

 

[pearaffair]

I don't know that much about opals, so I don't know if it's a doublet without being able to see the whole stone from the side and underneath, but the color play on the stone is lovely. Personally, I would have returned it too as I prefer slightly more intricate settings. I'm sorry you weren't in love with it!

To be honest, I’m really regretting returning it! Agh. I’m so fickle.

 

[SandyinAnaheim]

To be honest, I’m really regretting returning it! Agh. I’m so fickle.

Oh no!! You became attached to it!! The stone looks pretty well-protected to me. Maybe contact the seller once they receive it (that'll give you another day or two to ponder) to ask for it back?

 

[seaurchin]

I once had a nice large opal ring but sold it because I couldn't stop worrying about it getting broken. They're just so soft. I do have some large pearls in rings, which are soft too, but they are imperfect and therefore relatively inexpensive pearls. If the opal costs any significant amount of money, I'd get it set in a pendant instead of a ring. I love that opal, though.

 

[lovedogs]

It looks like a doublet to me bc of the thin layer of opal itself and black layer under it. At least that's what I see from the pic

 

[Bluegemz]

The black underneath could also be the black potch with color play opal on top. Black opal soften have a natural potch base. I’d guess as much as I can, that it’s solid. The potch line is slightly uneven, which I think is a good indicator of natural. When doublets are made, they glue 2 sliced pieces together which are machine cut and would therefore be very even. I really think it’s beautiful!

 

[GliderPoss]

Hmmm.... hard to tell from pics if it's solid or a doublet but the ring is absolutely lovely!

 

[pearaffair]

Oh no!! You became attached to it!! The stone looks pretty well-protected to me. Maybe contact the seller once they receive it (that'll give you another day or two to ponder) to ask for it back?

I just might do that. Haha yes- I did become attached! Agh! And I thought I was being so good, returning an item that wouldn’t get a ton of wear.

I once had a nice large opal ring but sold it because I couldn't stop worrying about it getting broken. They're just so soft. I do have some large pearls in rings, which are soft too, but they are imperfect and therefore relatively inexpensive pearls. If the opal costs any significant amount of money, I'd get it set in a pendant instead of a ring. I love that opal, though.

Yep- I’m so afraid of it getting broken.

It looks like a doublet to me bc of the thin layer of opal itself and black layer under it. At least that's what I see from the pic

I talked to an opal expert and sent pics and she said yep, definitely doublet. Initially that really turned me off the ring but now I find myself not caring...

The black underneath could also be the black potch with color play opal on top. Black opal soften have a natural potch base. I’d guess as much as I can, that it’s solid. The potch line is slightly uneven, which I think is a good indicator of natural. When doublets are made, they glue 2 sliced pieces together which are machine cut and would therefore be very even. I really think it’s beautiful!

I’m going to read more about this potch stuff! Thanks!

Hmmm.... hard to tell from pics if it's solid or a doublet but the ring is absolutely lovely!

Yes, so hard to tell :S

Thanks. Maybe I will buy it again. This addiction really is a sickness!

 

[pearaffair]

Here’s the thing: I’m obsessed with the setting, but not the opal.

 

[lovedogs]

Here’s the thing: I’m obsessed with the setting, but not the opal.

The setting is easily duplicated. If you don't love the opal, I'd save the images as inspiration for your next piece.

 

[arkieb1]

Doublets and triplets are not expensive, you should be able to get David Klass to make a reproduction of that ring easily with an opal or other stone that you love. That's the main thing, find something you really like.

I'm an Aussie good quality solid Lightening Ridge opals are tougher than you would think. However, doublets, triplets and some specific types of opals (like smoked and treated opals) need a lot of care, because they are really easily damaged by things like water and chemicals by comparison.