Does this look like a Harlequin pattern Opal?

[2Neesers]

I was browsing a resale site and this opal caught my eye. Would this be considered a harlequin pattern opal? If not, what would this type of pattern be considered? The listing says it has red/orange/green/blue strong color play.
The pin it’s in is unusual, but I’m guessing it had significance to the original owner. It‘s made in platinum and 18K, with diamond and ruby accents and is a 5+ct opal.
I wasn’t intending to buy anything, but this opal is calling my name. I bought it thinking I can return it if it’s not what I’m hoping for and would re-home the opal in to a ring if I do keep it. This seller is known to sell their jewelry dirty, so I’m guessing the opal will look even better once it’s cleaned up. It was not listed as a doublet and they will usually say if it is.
I would love any opinions and input on the opal. I haven’t seen one quite like this before and am hoping it’s not a doublet!

 

[elle_71125]

I think it’s very pretty. I don’t know much about opal patterns but I’ll tag @jordyonbass who I believe is an opal aficionado.

 

[icy_jade]

It’s very beautiful and looks like harlequin pattern but the scratch (or is it craze) lines and bezel makes me a bit wary. As it doesn’t have the nice puffy dome but instead is flat? Did the seller share pics of the underside or can you ask for it?

It is a beautiful pattern and do hope it is solid or boulder opal. Fingers crossed for you.

Tagging @Bron357 too

 

[jordyonbass]

Soooo close - but not quite. It's more a flagstone type pattern.

True harlequin is like a checker board and rarer than just about anything else in the gem world, I have only ever seen one true harlequin and it was definitely not for sale. I wasn't even allowed to hold it, gem box stayed on the table and I looked at it while it sat there.

 

[icy_jade]

Soooo close - but not quite. It's more a flagstone type pattern.

True harlequin is like a checker board and rarer than just about anything else in the gem world, I have only ever seen one true harlequin and it was definitely not for sale. I wasn't even allowed to hold it, gem box stayed on the table and I looked at it while it sat there.

@jordyonbass do you have pics of harlequin pattern opals that you can share with us? I’ve seen some sellers advertise similar opals as harlequin so will be good to know what’s a true harlequin. Thanks!

 

[2Neesers]

It’s very beautiful and looks like harlequin pattern but the scratch (or is it craze) lines and bezel makes me a bit wary. As it doesn’t have the nice puffy dome but instead is flat? Did the seller share pics of the underside or can you ask for it?

I noticed that too, but am hoping what we are seeing is something going on below the surface. I have a black opal that looks similar in close-up photos, but the surface of the stone has a smooth polish. The seller usually notes if there is wear, abrasions or scratches on stones and they didn’t note anything on this one. It looks like it will arrive on Wednesday and I’ll report back on its condition and what it looks like from the back once I have it on hand . It does appear to be flat on top.

Soooo close - but not quite. It's more a flagstone type pattern.

Thanks @jordyonbass ! Is this type of opal, if it’s a solid and natural opal, somewhat uncommon? I’m trying to get a feel for comparable pricing on the opal. I also noticed the description says the opal is translucent, in case that is important info to know.

 

[Bron357]

It’s very beautiful.
Harlequin pattern as Jordy says is super super rare and super super expensive.
Any opal with a “pattern” is more desirable and as flagstone pattern, its probably as close to Harlequin pattern that any of us in the retail world will be able to buy.

 

[icy_jade]

Is this checkerboard or harlequin pattern? @jordyonbass @Bron357

 

[Bron357]

Is this checkerboard or harlequin pattern? @jordyonbass @Bron357

With that one I’d be checking that it is actual “solid” opal. There was/ in a trend of making triplet mosaic Opals ie lots of little pieces glued together to create the harlequin pattern. It was a trend in the 80s I think to do watch faces in opal mosaic.

 

[jordyonbass]

@jordyonbass do you have pics of harlequin pattern opals that you can share with us? I’ve seen some sellers advertise similar opals as harlequin so will be good to know what’s a true harlequin. Thanks!

Unfortunately I do not, I think a Google search would find some of the more well known H-stones out there

 

[jordyonbass]

Thanks @jordyonbass ! Is this type of opal, if it’s a solid and natural opal, somewhat uncommon? I’m trying to get a feel for comparable pricing on the opal. I also noticed the description says the opal is translucent, in case that is important info to know.

It's not common material at all compared to more common floral and broadflash patterns, however it's not H-word rare.

 

[Bron357]

heres an opal mosaic watch face.
they also make lab opal that is amazing looking.

 

[jordyonbass]

Is this checkerboard or harlequin pattern? @jordyonbass @Bron357

Not quite, I see some triangular and trapezoidal shapes in there but it's closest in this thread and I would forgive people for calling it such. Harlequin is perfect checkers as I've always known it.

 

[LilAlex]

The pin it’s in is unusual, but I’m guessing it had significance to the original owner.

How big? I'm thinking awesome hood ornament or rear-deck badge

It is pretty!

 

[2Neesers]

How big? I'm thinking awesome hood ornament or rear-deck badge

It is pretty!

It does kind of look like a fancy hood ornament! I don’t think it‘s that big, but it’s out for delivery today and I’ll report back once I have it in hand.

 

[2Neesers]

It arrived and the back is mostly closed, so I’m not able to tell if it’s a doublet or solid opal. The piece is stamped with a makers mark “de Bella“.I was able to find the jeweler on Instagram and saw he had made a ring with a boulder opal a while back, so boulder opal might be a possibility. The table of the opal is polished and free of cracks, but there is definitely something going on internally in the belly area of the pear where it’s very cloudy and hazy. It‘s a nice, solid platinum piece and was interesting to see in person, but after seeing it I have more questions than answers about the opal, so it’s going back.
These photos were taken at night in bad lighting. The opal does have big colorful flashes in person. I tried to take a close up through the openings in the back, but I can’t tell if its gunk I see or the natural back of the opal.

 

[icy_jade]

Could it be a triplet and the hazy part where the glass dome has detached/fogged up?

 

[2Neesers]

Could it be a triplet and the hazy part where the glass dome has detached/fogged up?

I was wondering that too. It seems odd that someone would use a triplet in a solid platinum piece, but I think it could be a possibility.

 

[icy_jade]

This:

Because opal doublets and triplets consist of layers which are glued together, prolonged exposure to water may cause lifting between the layers and infiltration of water. (This does not mean your opal will be ruined if you wear it in the shower once, or are caught in the rain.) If water penetration occurs, a doublet or triplet will take on a ‘foggy’ or grey appearance. You may even notice the appearance of condensation inside the stone. You should avoid getting a triplet or doublet opal wet to avoid water penetration.

from: https://www.opalsdownunder.com.au/learn/opal-doublets-and-triplets/

 

[LilAlex]

Yeah, that is disappointing. Top "half" is very pretty. An honest vendor should have disclosed what is obviously a condition issue and not an idiosyncrasy, imo.

Oddly, the back looks like some base metal and not Pt. Almost like it was sand-cast and then not polished.

 

[2Neesers]

Yeah, that is disappointing. Top "half" is very pretty. An honest vendor should have disclosed what is obviously a condition issue and not an idiosyncrasy, imo.

Oddly, the back looks like some base metal and not Pt. Almost like it was sand-cast and then not polished.

It was a little disappointing, but it was worth the $20 I’ll pay in shipping to see if it was something special. It’s from The RealReal, and I think they are generally trustworthy, but it’s always a gamble to see what you will get from them in person. They don’t clean the jewelry before listing it and are pretty vague in their overall descriptions. I know I have got some great deals in the past from them and a few others here have as well.