I really don't understand this

[theredspinel]

My boulder opals. Bigger, more streamlined shape and looks like fewer dead spots. Looks to have identical brightness and same colours. Mine was nearly 100 dollars cheaper.

I dont get how the price is being set with this stuff. Same vendor btw (one of my fav vendors).

My one (not the brightest pic):



New ones for sale (this WAS the brightest pic) :

 

[lilmosun]

Many small vendors charge based on their cost. Gemstone pricing can vary by piece or lot -and- often doesn't make any sense...their cost can depend on rarity, source, timing of the market or perceived value. Congratulations on grabbing yours when you did...they are beautiful!

 

[theredspinel]

Thank you lilmosun it makes sense.

I just wish i could figure it out, id be a much smarter shopper then!

 

[elle_71125]

I agree with @limosun. Pricing fluctuates based on all sorts of things. For instance, the cost of paraiba tourmaline is way more expensive now than when I started buying it (and that was just a few years ago). It’s not awesome but what can you do? It looks like you got a great price on your opals. Lucky girl. They are gorgeous!

 

[theredspinel]

Thank you elle! How are you?

I understand especially the paraiba example but i think i was genuinely confused here as i only bought my opals a few weeks ago so cant understand the price diff this soon.

Especially as mine are bigger

 

[theredspinel]

I should add i was so tempted to nab this pair too and get myself a suite of boulder opals but i cant get over paying that little bit more

 

[elle_71125]

Thank you elle! How are you?

I understand especially the paraiba example but i think i was genuinely confused here as i only bought my opals a few weeks ago so cant understand the price diff this soon.

Especially as mine are bigger

Ah, I can see why you were perplexed. I’m well and I hope you are too!
What do you think you’ll do with your opals? They really are a gorgeous color.

 

[lilmosun]

I should add i was so tempted to nab this pair too and get myself a suite of boulder opals but i cant get over paying that little bit more

If I were really interested and looking to build a set, I would ask the seller why they are more.

 

[Gloria27]

To me it seems that the other ones have a thicker layer of opal and an extra colour: green. Both are beautiful.

 

[chatoyancy]

Those are beautiful. I love boulder opals! I can’t really tell why the price would be different based on color either. Colored gem pricing is enigmatic to me. However, I do agree that vendor’s cost and availability of material play huge roles.

I saved my money and was all set on purchasing a screaming, orange, Namibian, mandarin, spessartite from a vendor who had them last year. This year, at the gem show, he had one tiny, included piece. I was ok with tiny (although I wanted bigger), but the black inclusion was half the stone! Anyway, he had no more material because the rough at Tuscon was too expensive. I think his supply dried up for good. It was then that I started to understand how this business works.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

I have so much conflict about this!

On one had there is advice to not buy everything up and wait for the right stone as there is plenty out there. One the other hand there is stuff that just vanishes never to be seen again!

I don't know who/what to listen to! I try to go by gut now! If it makes me want to press the panic button to buy right away I buy it!

 

[Gemobsessed]

I have so much conflict about this!

On one had there is advice to not buy everything up and wait for the right stone as there is plenty out there. One the other hand there is stuff that just vanishes never to be seen again!

I don't know who/what to listen to! I try to go by gut now! If it makes me want to press the panic button to buy right away I buy it!

I know what you mean completely. It hurts to lose a stone and never see something like it again. I think that’s why so many of us CS lovers especially new ones like me are so obsessive stalking all the vendors! I have sold some gems and I regret that so badly. I thought I’ll get something slightly brighter or larger again and I never did! And frankly prices keep rising, which is incredibly frustrating haha. I wish I had a solution to offer but all I can say is I’m in your boat

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

@Gemobsessed It's hard isnt it! Sometimes you wait and DO get what you want!

I remember seeing a tourmaline same size as mine, same price, same vendor but different cut. I was soooo tempted but told myself "Maybe he'll have an asccher in this colour if I wait." I think 2 days later the asccher dropped.

I'm reeling over a heart tsavorite that was in my budget. Wasn't my fault because I think that went in like a span of 30 min! Wasn't meant to be! I don't think I'll find another though since the heart shape is so specific an this was a nice, chubby one. Just the way I like my hearts!

 

[Gemobsessed]

@Gemobsessed It's hard isnt it! Sometimes you wait and DO get what you want!

I remember seeing a tourmaline same size as mine, same price, same vendor but different cut. I was soooo tempted but told myself "Maybe he'll have an asccher in this colour if I wait." I think 2 days later the asccher dropped.

I'm reeling over a heart tsavorite that was in my budget. Wasn't my fault because I think that went in like a span of 30 min! Wasn't meant to be! I don't think I'll find another though since the heart shape is so specific an this was a nice, chubby one. Just the way I like my hearts!

Haha yeah I know, for every success story there’s one of loss. I suggest buy whatever you really may lose, just buy with a return policy.