Opal Ring... Good Deal? Thoughts?

[doublek1229]

Hey,

Just wanted to first give a little background. I am looking for a nice ring to get my girlfriend for her birthday (May 9th... turning 24) I was looking to spend between $300-$400. I will admit I hardly know anything about jewelry but she has liked things I have gotten her in the past. Anyway I have been looking at opals lately and thought they are pretty cool looking. I don''t know much about them as far as value. I know they break easier than other stones (Is this a huge concern)

Anyway I saw this ring and really thought it was nice. (A little more than I wanted to spend but what the hell, it''s $80 more. Is this overpriced? A good deal? Can I find a better ring? Would she even like an opal ring?? So many questions... but I have learned that the people on this website know a whole lot more than I do. Any advice/thoughts are appreciated for sure.

 

[VapidLapid]

terrible setting for that opal. the stone sticks out and will get knocked continually. it will scratch if it doesn''t simply smash to pieces first.

 

[doublek1229]

Ah, that is just the kind of advice I need. Definitely don''t want to be throwing $500 out the window. Thanks

 

[Lady_Disdain]

The opal seems nice, but it is predominantly green, which is not the most valuable colour. I do find it strange that the seller didn''t post a face on photo of the stone, which may indicate that the play of light is not so nice at other angles.

I also think that the stone doesn''t sit well on the setting. It is a freeform and being set on a standard setting, which, to me, is sloppy. Also, I doubt it is unplated (white gold is usually rhodium plated for whiteness).

Also, looking at his complete feedback at toolhaus (http://toolhaus.org/cgi-bin/negs?User=opaldoveling+&ref=home), I think you may have problems if you need to return. I avoid doing business with sellers that call their buyers "idiots" publicly.

I think you can get a nicer ring at a similar cost by buying a nice opal and having it set by an etsy artisan (an unique, handmade ring is much nicer!). This opal is from ACS (http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=8&idproduct=3111).

 

[Gempassion]

I agree (that the setting is odd because the prongs stick out and will get caught in clothes/hair or will not protect the opal properly). My parents bought me an opal from lightning ridge and apparently the most sought after opals have a predominantly red colour to them.

 

[chrono]

Maybe it’s just me but it doesn’t even look like the opal is set in the setting; the prongs seem to go straight up and not touch the opal at all. Lady D has done a feedback check on the vendor and I’d stay away from him based on her findings.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

ACS also has this chunkier opal ring (http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=8&idproduct=2984).

 

[VapidLapid]

Here is an ok opal ring after currency conversion about the same as the one you posted. If you are set on an opal I too think you''d be better off getting an unset stone and having one of the etsy artists set it.

http://www.opalsdownunder.com.au/results.php?Category=unset&Type=%25&min=0&max=2000000

http://opal-trader.com/solid-opal.asp

 

[VapidLapid]

True Chrono, the prongs arent even folded but they will cover a lot when they are! So if it isn''t set why would a size conversion take 2 weeks additional?

I forgot to paste the ring I found link and now I lost it, but it wasn''t worth it anyway. Sorry

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Date: 4/22/2010 12:41:29 PM
Author: VapidLapid
True Chrono, the prongs arent even folded but they will cover a lot when they are! So if it isn''t set why would a size conversion take 2 weeks additional?

I forgot to paste the ring I found link and now I lost it, but it wasn''t worth it anyway. Sorry

VapidLady - the prongs look long because the stone hasn''t been set yet (all semisettings have long prongs, as this makes them easier to bend down over a stone - more leverage). After it is bent down, the prong is trimmed and shaped. Have you seen John Cogswell''s stone setting book? It is wonderful, very clear and detailed. I think it would be hugely useful for you!

2 weeks and $40 for resizing? That is absurd!

 

[VapidLapid]

Yes LadyD, I know it hasn''t been set yet, that''s my point. why should it take 2 weeks to resize in what is obviously an off the rack setting if the stone hasn''t been set? Just put it in the right size from the start! And that should not be an additional charge at all.

 

[LD]

The opal you've linked to is a freeform shape and as such would drive most people nutty in a setting specifically made for a symmetrical stone! If you look at one of the photos (the one where it's face on) you can see that it's a weird uneven pear shape.

The value of an opal is in it's colour play - red being the most sought after. Have a look here for some great information:
http://www.internetopals.com/index.htm

A couple of other things to be aware of:-

1. Opals can be doublets or triplets. This means that you have a sliver of opal on the front, glued to a backing piece. So you have less opal and glue can (over time) become unstuck. So make sure you know what you're getting. Doublets and triplets are much less expensive than solid opals.
2. Some people regard opals as unlucky. They don't tend to appeal to a wide audience. I love them because I love the colour play and the way the colours move around the stone but there are many people who wouldn't wear them. It might be wise to somehow see how your gf feels before buying one.
3. Opals do need a certain amount of looking after i.e. they can crack if you get them near hot water, they shouldn't be allowed to dry out (so you need to make sure they're worn so they take some of the moisture from the skin to give them a bit of a watering)!

 

[doublek1229]

Hey thanks for the responses. One question, if I buy a stone alone and then have it set by an "esty artist" 1) I have no idea what an etsy artist is... is that just like a local jeweler? How would I go about getting something like that done? Thanks!

 

[VapidLapid]

etsy is a website that hosts many individual artisan''s shops.
here is a link direct to a favorite and highly regarded jeweler there

http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeartofWaterJewels

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Date: 4/22/2010 3:32:37 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds

2. Some people regard opals as unlucky. They don''t tend to appeal to a wide audience. I love them because I love the colour play and the way the colours move around the stone but there are many people who wouldn''t wear them. It might be wise to somehow see how your gf feels before buying one.

I didn''t know that! Do you have any idea why? I am always curious about such things

 

[LD]

Date: 4/22/2010 6:16:34 PM
Author: Lady_Disdain

Date: 4/22/2010 3:32:37 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds

2. Some people regard opals as unlucky. They don't tend to appeal to a wide audience. I love them because I love the colour play and the way the colours move around the stone but there are many people who wouldn't wear them. It might be wise to somehow see how your gf feels before buying one.

I didn't know that! Do you have any idea why? I am always curious about such things

It's steeped in myth and depending on who you speak to you'll get a different answer but for some reason it's a commonly held belief. For some light reading, have a look at these:-

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1006052509007
http://www.opalsdownunder.com.au/articles/luck.php
http://www.wyrdology.com/stones/natural/opal.html my personal favourite!
http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/sep01/opal.cfm

 

[VapidLapid]

I heard that it is unlucky to wear opal if it is not your birthstone, but the person I heard it from is an endless font of misinformation so I paid it no mind. To me unlucky is getting in a car accident and finding out that your insurance lapsed the day before. Not sure if this would be more likely to happen if you wore opals though you were born in May.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

I love opals and my Ering is an opal and no bad luck so far. I think buying opals in person is always a good idea because the color play is just hard to capture.

Also, my opals get worn everyday and I am not that careful, but a high bezel setting helps a lot.
As for the green, I know it is worth less, but they are my favorite and unless you are reselling, that doesn''t matter as much.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Date: 4/22/2010 6:40:16 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds

Date: 4/22/2010 6:16:34 PM
Author: Lady_Disdain

Date: 4/22/2010 3:32:37 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds

2. Some people regard opals as unlucky. They don''t tend to appeal to a wide audience. I love them because I love the colour play and the way the colours move around the stone but there are many people who wouldn''t wear them. It might be wise to somehow see how your gf feels before buying one.

I didn''t know that! Do you have any idea why? I am always curious about such things

It''s steeped in myth and depending on who you speak to you''ll get a different answer but for some reason it''s a commonly held belief. For some light reading, have a look at these:-

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1006052509007
http://www.opalsdownunder.com.au/articles/luck.php
http://www.wyrdology.com/stones/natural/opal.html my personal favourite!
http://www.colored-stone.com/stories/sep01/opal.cfm

Those were fascinating - thank you.

Like VapidLady, I am not a believer but, if these miths keep the price of good opal down, I am a little happier

Brazen_irish_hussy - have you posted a picture of your opal ring? I would love to see it!

 

[jstarfireb]

I''ve also heard that opals are unlucky to wear if they''re not your birthstone. I don''t believe it for a second, but I''m an October birthday anyway, so it works for me.