Fun with fossils: belemnite!

lovedogs · May 9, 2019

I posted about this on the opals thread, but wanted to make a different one rather than thread jacking.

Recently discovered that belemnite opals exist and am now obsessed. It's essentially fossilised opal from an ancient squid (ancestor of octopuses we have today). I am strangely drawn to octopus, and almost got a tattoo of one. I just think they are amazing animals. I also love opal and anything old, so the combination is awesome.

I've discovered that the nicest ones are VERY expensive. Like 5-10k expensive. So I have been trying to find smaller ones with good color play, and thought you all might enjoy the adventure!

Fell in love with this one until I saw the price tag! Pic for those who don't like links

https://www.opalauctions.com/auctions/stunning-red-198-carat-belemnite-575496

Same thing happened here:

https://www.opalauctions.com/auctions/135-ct-brilliant-gem-601639

For options I can actually afford, theres this one (which the seller will polish/cut since right now it's being sold as a specimin for someone else to cut). Price is under $1500

These 2 are another semi option. The smaller one is in budget, but the bigger one is almost 1k more. But of course the bigger one is my favorite.

Finally, this one

Barely in budget, but big. Waiting for video of it.

The least expensive one I'm considering. But I don't think I like it as much.

Thoughts? Haha I won't be offended if anyone just thinks it's dumb to spend $$ on something like this. But it combines things I love, so I'm obviously enamored!

lovedogs · May 9, 2019

Or if I had a cool 6k I could buy this one. I'm finding out quickly that I have champagne taste on a beer budget!

Sunshinelab · May 9, 2019

Personally I love these! They have been a favorite of mine since my paleontology class requirement in college!

. I find them to be fascinating. I believe mastercut gems may have some

. You can always email and ask.

ShinyPink · May 9, 2019

Those are so pretty and unique! Thanks for sharing-- I had no idea they existed.

lovedogs · May 9, 2019

Sunshinelab said:
Personally I love these! They have been a favorite of mine since my paleontology class requirement in college! . I find them to be fascinating. I believe mastercut gems may have some . You can always email and ask.

Thanks, I reached out to them!

Rfisher · May 9, 2019

Pretty cool.
And just pretty!
I always thought these were a riot -

lovedogs · May 9, 2019

@Rfisher Haha those are great

What do you think of the choices I have so far? Any stand out as good or bad? @Sunshinelab

JPie · May 9, 2019

These are pretty cool! I like them.

Sunshinelab · May 9, 2019

I really like them all, but I worry with the cracks I think I see in the last one on you first post. If you find a broken one, I love the idea of setting it to look like the metal fills the crack (is that possible? Like some Japanese pottery that makes it look even more beautiful (I hope I’m thinking of the right pottery). My favorite is the Instagram one, but that might be in perfect lighting too.

I very much trust mastercut gems, and think if they have something you’ll get not only a beautiful one, but it will also be priced in a way that is fair for both the seller and buyer. Not that it would be unfair elsewhere, I just have developed relationships over the years

and tend to stick with a few vendors.

lovedogs · May 9, 2019

Sunshinelab said:
I really like them all, but I worry with the cracks I think I see in the last one on you first post. If you find a broken one, I love the idea of setting it to look like the metal fills the crack (is that possible? Like some Japanese pottery that makes it look even more beautiful (I hope I’m thinking of the right pottery). My favorite is the Instagram one, but that might be in perfect lighting too.

I very much trust mastercut gems, and think if they have something you’ll get not only a beautiful one, but it will also be priced in a way that is fair for both the seller and buyer. Not that it would be unfair elsewhere, I just have developed relationships over the years and tend to stick with a few vendors.

Yeah, I totally agree that it would a great piece/price from mastercut. But I also like the aussie vendors I found and trust them as well. The instagram one is my favorite too, but I just don't have 6K to spend on it! I contacted the vendor to see if they have any smaller pieces in budget. So really the only options (as of now) are the last few I posted in the first post.

Agreed about the last one in my first post. It's not my favorite, but still considering. Thanks for the help!

Sunshinelab · May 9, 2019

I also like the second to last one, but I’m wondering something with it... the hands look wet (or very well moisturized) if it is wet it might not be polished or may be more rough than you’d like (or maybe it was being polished). Wetting rough opal can allow you to see color better, because it can be dusty. It’s just something that stood out in the pictures

lovedogs · May 9, 2019

Sunshinelab said:
I also like the second to last one, but I’m wondering something with it... the hands look wet (or very well moisturized) if it is wet it might not be polished or may be more rough than you’d like (or maybe it was being polished). Wetting rough opal can allow you to see color better, because it can be dusty. It’s just something that stood out in the pictures

yeah, I agree! I asked for a video and will likely get it over the weekend!

Daisys and Diamonds · May 9, 2019

lovedogs said:
I posted about this on the opals thread, but wanted to make a different one rather than thread jacking.

Recently discovered that belemnite opals exist and am now obsessed. It's essentially fossilised opal from an ancient squid (ancestor of octopuses we have today). I am strangely drawn to octopus, and almost got a tattoo of one. I just think they are amazing animals. I also love opal and anything old, so the combination is awesome.

I've discovered that the nicest ones are VERY expensive. Like 5-10k expensive. So I have been trying to find smaller ones with good color play, and thought you all might enjoy the adventure!

Fell in love with this one until I saw the price tag! Pic for those who don't like links

https://www.opalauctions.com/auctions/stunning-red-198-carat-belemnite-575496

Same thing happened here:

https://www.opalauctions.com/auctions/135-ct-brilliant-gem-601639

For options I can actually afford, theres this one (which the seller will polish/cut since right now it's being sold as a specimin for someone else to cut). Price is under $1500

These 2 are another semi option. The smaller one is in budget, but the bigger one is almost 1k more. But of course the bigger one is my favorite.

Finally, this one

Barely in budget, but big. Waiting for video of it.

The least expensive one I'm considering. But I don't think I like it as much.

Thoughts? Haha I won't be offended if anyone just thinks it's dumb to spend $$ on something like this. But it combines things I love, so I'm obviously enamored!

totally memorizing
like something out of science fiction (that's ment as a compliment )
what are you planning on having it made into ?

lovedogs · May 9, 2019

Daisys and Diamonds said:
totally memorizing
like something out of science fiction (that's ment as a compliment )
what are you planning on having it made into ?

A pendant. Design will depend on the size of the piece. Thanks!!

Daisys and Diamonds · May 9, 2019

lovedogs said:
A pendant. Design will depend on the size of the piece. Thanks!!

awsome !
those gems are so other worldly
i hope you find a reasonable big piece for an unaffordable price

lovedogs · May 10, 2019

More options in budget! First pic shows both options together, other pics show tgem one at a time.

Thoughts?

Videos:

Daisys and Diamonds · May 10, 2019

number 2
but number 1 has lovelly colour

voce · May 10, 2019

Love the colour play on 2 better, but 1 is shaped more like a long squid tentacle.

lovedogs · May 10, 2019

voce said:
Love the colour play on 2 better, but 1 is shaped more like a long squid tentacle.

Haha good point. I never thought about whether I care about how long it is. I wanted it somewhat "pipe" shaped, but beyond that I didn't care too much. But I need to consider that!

prs · May 10, 2019

Definitely the short, wide one!

What are its dimensions?

lovedogs · May 10, 2019

prs said:
Definitely the short, wide one!

What are its dimensions?

Not sure, but it's 15.38ct

Sunshinelab · May 10, 2019

I love the short wide one too. They are both gorgeous

prs · May 10, 2019

lovedogs said:
Not sure, but it's 15.38ct

Should make a nice pendant, but before moving forward it might be a good idea to check how brittle and/or soft that material is. The irregular shape could make setting problematic if it's any different from the normal opal we are more familiar with.

Jomana · May 10, 2019

Welp, now I have a new obsession

I would err with better color play for opals generally, but the fossil itself is really cool. With this, I might choose the better fossil representation over color play, within reason, of course.

lovedogs · May 10, 2019

ugh, I wish I hadn't asked for a video of this one!
The shape is PERFECT and the color play is pretty darn good! Sadly it's over budget, but I wanted to see what an extra 1K could get me.

voce · May 10, 2019

lovedogs said:
ugh, I wish I hadn't asked for a video of this one!
The shape is PERFECT and the color play is pretty darn good! Sadly it's over budget, but I wanted to see what an extra 1K could get me.

If you absolutely want this one, don't settle and ask for a layaway plan.

I am personally so reluctant to get big opals. What if they craze and dry up? They're so soft, I'd be afraid to wear them very often.

Does anyone have examples of how belemnites are set for wear?

lilmosun · May 10, 2019

Fun and cool stuff indeed!

MissyBeaucoup · May 10, 2019

This is a new one on me! Thanks for showing us!

lovedogs · May 11, 2019

voce said:
If you absolutely want this one, don't settle and ask for a layaway plan.

I am personally so reluctant to get big opals. What if they craze and dry up? They're so soft, I'd be afraid to wear them very often.

Does anyone have examples of how belemnites are set for wear?

They are millions of years old (these particular ones), so I'm not worried about crazing or drying. But yes, I know they are soft and agree I'd have to be careful. I think if I were going to put anything on layaway, it would be this gorgeous piece.