Opal ring design help

[LemonMoonLex]

Omg this ring is going to be one large stunner! You have a gorgeously pregnant opal and either design is so well suited to it!

Not that It helps but I've fallen in love with both: The first design is so perfect in its simplicity and truly allows the stone the room to shine, plus there is something to gratifying about lots of polished shiny thick gold...to touch and hold. The second gives a nod to antique & gives it a bit more flavor!

Try imagining setting the opal in each design and rate your sadness of not using the other setting. If you still cannot choose, flip a coin!
Are you sad that it didn't land on the other choice?

 

[bright&shiny]

Omg this ring is going to be one large stunner! You have a gorgeously pregnant opal and either design is so well suited to it!

Not that It helps but I've fallen in love with both: The first design is so perfect in its simplicity and truly allows the stone the room to shine, plus there is something to gratifying about lots of polished shiny thick gold...to touch and hold. The second gives a nod to antique & gives it a bit more flavor!

Try imagining setting the opal in each design and rate your sadness of not using the other setting. If you still cannot choose, flip a coin!
Are you sad that it didn't land on the other choice?

That’s a good way to think of it! I agree about the lovely feel of good thick gold. I can live without the flower version. But the plain version feels like something is missing....

 

[meely]

They are very different designs to me. One is very contemporary and minimal and the other look antique. I prefer the second.
I am going to post some other pics hope that’s ok?
Edit. Lovely opal btw what an exciting project!

 

[meely]

3 opal solitaires. That first one - it hasn’t got it although it almost looks like it has - wouldn’t it look amazing with a double bezel, first bit in yellow gold. Maybe I’ve seen that before somewhere.
I think the second one may be too ornate but thought I would include anyway.

 

[LemonMoonLex]

3 opal solitaires. That first one - it hasn’t got it although it almost looks like it has - wouldn’t it look amazing with a double bezel, first bit in yellow gold. Maybe I’ve seen that before somewhere.
I think the second one may be too ornate but thought I would include anyway.

Wow love everything about that third ring! From the opals body color to it's color play, the huge ring design and buttery gold!
Sooooo lovely!!

 

[meely]

Wow love everything about that third ring! From the opals body color to it's color play, the huge ring design and buttery gold!
Sooooo lovely!!

I have a major thing for that ring too!

 

[bright&shiny]

3 opal solitaires. That first one - it hasn’t got it although it almost looks like it has - wouldn’t it look amazing with a double bezel, first bit in yellow gold. Maybe I’ve seen that before somewhere.
I think the second one may be too ornate but thought I would include anyway.

These are beautiful! And post as many pics as you like. I’m really in need of ideas! These are great - really lovely.

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

@bright&shiny I'm here trying to be patient waiting for pics from DK and your new ring... Can you tell I'm excited for you? Lol

 

[meely]

Oooh is it done then?

 

[bright&shiny]

Lol! No - it’s been too cold to safely send. I’m hoping at the end of this week or early next week. Plus, I am completely stumped on the design. I may just go ahead with the simple because nothing so far is really making my heart sing....

 

[meely]

Lol! No - it’s been too cold to safely send. I’m hoping at the end of this week or early next week. Plus, I am completely stumped on the design. I may just go ahead with the simple because nothing so far is really making my heart sing....

Oh dear. I was never entirely clear on what you wanted exactly from the design. I’m sure a simple design will look amazing if you do go for that option, that stone makes plenty of a statement all by itself!

 

[T L]

I would not bezel an opal. They’re just too delicate, and bezeling puts a lot of strain on the gem. I’ve heard an opal dealer say that as well. However, those are some beautiful designs. Good luck with your project.

 

[meely]

I would not bezel an opal. They’re just too delicate, and bezeling puts a lot of strain on the gem. I’ve heard an opal dealer say that as well. However, those are some beautiful designs. Good luck with your project.

That’s a shame, I love bezelled opals too and you see so many Art Deco settings where they are bezelled.

 

[T L]

That’s a shame, I love bezelled opals too and you see so many Art Deco settings where they are bezelled.

You could take the chance, but imho it isn’t worth the risk. Also if you ever decide to reset or repolish your opal, if it has to be removed from the setting, you destroy the bezel in the process. I think claw prongs make an elegant statement with canochon stones too.

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

I agree with @meely, your opal is so stunning it doesn't need too much "frosting" to distract from it's gorgeousness.

On another note, I'm sorry it's so cold where you are that you can't bring yourself to go ship it! I was cold today here and it was 55 degrees F, Lol. Stay warm, my friend!

 

[T L]

I also forgot to mention they Welos are very porous, and if moisture or anything gets stuck under the bezel, it could ruin the stone. I wouldn’t do a closed back either for the same reason.

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

I also forgot to mention they Welos are very porous, and if moisture or anything gets stuck under the bezel, it could ruin the stone. I wouldn’t do a closed back either for the same reason.

#payingcloseattentiontoTL

 

[fredflintstone]

I've seen many bezel set Opals. No problem setting them with the right bench jeweler. Welo Opal is by far the toughest Opal on the market. It can take bumps, drops, and other knocking abuse other Opals cannot.

As far as getting something underneath bezel setting and ruining the Opal, that is highly unlikely unless someone is extremely careless when wearing jewelry, but accident can and do happen. A comfort back setting is best than totally closed back.

A Welo Opal like any other Opal can give you a lifetime of enjoyment, but just take good care of it and only wear it on occasions that are social. Do not wear it to work every day or anytime it could you’re doing a lot of physical moving around.

 

[meely]

@T L that’s interesting to know, you are quite right there are plenty of non bezelled options!

 

[T L]

I've seen many bezel set Opals. No problem setting them with the right bench jeweler. Welo Opal is by far the toughest Opal on the market. It can take bumps, drops, and other knocking abuse other Opals cannot.

As far as getting something underneath bezel setting and ruining the Opal, that is highly unlikely unless someone is extremely careless when wearing jewelry, but accident can and do happen. A comfort back setting is best than totally closed back.

A Welo Opal like any other Opal can give you a lifetime of enjoyment, but just take good care of it and only wear it on occasions that are social. Do not wear it to work every day or anytime it could you’re doing a lot of physical moving around.

If you wear a bezel set Welo opal and wash your hands or get prolonged moisture, soap, lotion or other chemicals under the bezel, it can be detrimental. Welo is porous, and that’s the issue.

 

[yssie]

The addition of the shoulder details changes the profile pretty dramatically. You lose the “tulip bulb” head effect -

 

[meely]

I am so confused - is there another thread on this somewhere?

 

[yssie]

Regarding bezelling - one personal opinion: This proposition is of “value” vs. “enjoyment”.

Hydrophane opal is inherently pretty unstable - it’s porous enough to absorb water, smoke particles... Prolonged exposure to perfumes and lotions and any number of other materials is certainly going to be harmful. And a bezel certainly encourages collection of those harmful liquids.

But even if treated well and worn occasionally, hydrophane opal is unlikely to last a lifetime, and at the same time it’s neither rare nor particularly pricey. If the aesthetic of a bezel mount would make a big difference to OP’s enjoyment of the piece, then my personal inclination is to just commit to enjoying it to the fullest and know that one day it’ll probably have to be replaced.

This is my take on pearls, which are similarly sensitive to their environs - enjoy them to the max now, because even if you treat them with utmost care they’re liable to break down on you within your lifetime

 

[fredflintstone]

If you wear a bezel set Welo opal and wash your hands or get prolonged moisture, soap, lotion or other chemicals under the bezel, it can be detrimental. Welo is porous, and that’s the issue.

If people are educated about Welo Opal and granted some are not, you know better than to wash your hands with soap while wearing the ring. You will take it off first and rinse and dry your hands thoroughly.

Also, yes, Welo Opal is hydrophane (absorbs moisture) but the best thing to do if you get lotion, oil, or any substance on your Opal is to rinse it off about 20 seconds with hot water then dry it with a clean dry cloth. Then repeat the procedure again. The Opal will be fine.

Much better than leaving a destructive substance on it for hours. Also, it takes Welo Opal hours to fully absorb water. It will take longer for a thicker substance. Clean as I wrote as quick and thoroughly as possible.

 

[fredflintstone]

Regarding bezelling - one personal opinion: This proposition is of “value” vs. “enjoyment”.

Hydrophane opal is inherently pretty unstable - it’s porous enough to absorb water, smoke particles... Prolonged exposure to perfumes and lotions and any number of other materials is certainly going to be harmful. And a bezel certainly encourages collection of those harmful liquids.

But even if treated well and worn occasionally, hydrophane opal is unlikely to last a lifetime, and at the same time it’s neither rare nor particularly pricey. If the aesthetic of a bezel mount would make a big difference to OP’s enjoyment of the piece, then my personal inclination is to just commit to enjoying it to the fullest and know that one day it’ll probably have to be replaced.

This is my take on pearls, which are similarly sensitive to their environs - enjoy them to the max now, because even if you treat them with utmost care they’re liable to break down on you within your lifetime

I've known people including my wife who have had Welo Opal rings for ten years or more. They look as good today as when first set. They also know how to take care of their Opal.

As with any stone, there is certain precautions that need to be taken. Either you take those precautions or suffer the end result.

 

[T L]

I think all opals deserve caution when wearing, so that’s a good mantra to live by if you’re an opal lover. Yes, the same goes for pearls.

 

[fredflintstone]

I think all opals deserve caution when wearing, so that’s a good mantra to live by if you’re an opal lover. Yes, the same goes for pearls.

Yes, very true.

 

[bright&shiny]

I agree with @meely, your opal is so stunning it doesn't need too much "frosting" to distract from it's gorgeousness.

On another note, I'm sorry it's so cold where you are that you can't bring yourself to go ship it! I was cold today here and it was 55 degrees F, Lol. Stay warm, my friend!

Oh my, 55 would be a heat wave. I shouldn't complain. My parent's haven't been above freezing in almost 2 weeks, and they aren't done yet. I've become soft after moving to New England I think it should be ok to send soon - we've just had substantial delays in our area and you just don't know when they pack the trucks.....

 

[bright&shiny]

I've seen many bezel set Opals. No problem setting them with the right bench jeweler. Welo Opal is by far the toughest Opal on the market. It can take bumps, drops, and other knocking abuse other Opals cannot.

As far as getting something underneath bezel setting and ruining the Opal, that is highly unlikely unless someone is extremely careless when wearing jewelry, but accident can and do happen. A comfort back setting is best than totally closed back.

A Welo Opal like any other Opal can give you a lifetime of enjoyment, but just take good care of it and only wear it on occasions that are social. Do not wear it to work every day or anytime it could you’re doing a lot of physical moving around.

Thank you - I'm learning a lot. We were going to close in the back because it really performs well that way, but even the back is beautiful, so perhaps that isn't the way to go after all. I'm not careless with my rings, and the opal will definitely not be an everyday kind of ring for many reasons, but as you say, accidents do happen. Is the comfort back the thick 'donut' shape I've seen on some?

 

[bright&shiny]

The addition of the shoulder details changes the profile pretty dramatically. You lose the “tulip bulb” head effect -

A fantastic point and exactly the kind of help I need. Thank you!!!!!