Swore off opals, but you are all incorrigible enablers...

[CaseyLouLou]

Thank you, thank you for the encouragement and all of the great insight! What a pleasure to have this resource (PS), am I right?

Since you have made opals fashionable again, I dug mine out. I never wear them anymore but I should. My boyfriend (now husband) gave them to me when we were really young. The pendant was for my 17th bday and the ‘matching’ (not so much) earrings I think were a year later. They came from the fine jewelry store where I worked. I have never really been an opal fan but they do have sentimental value and I was thinking I could change the posts to wires so they dangle more and are less dated.

I used to wear the pendant constantly - never took it off, showered with it for years. Somehow it survived just fine although I haven’t louped it. It isn’t the flashiest opal but it’s pretty. The black Australian opal earrings are much flashier. Mostly blue with some green flashes and a bit of yellow. I don’t know much about opals but they seem nice.

What do you think? Any idea if they are good ones? Photos were taken this evening indoors in normal room LED lighting. I can take some tomorrow in daylight.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Oh those are really lovely, @CaseyLouLou!! I'm not so well-versed in those crystal type opals (like your pendant), but the earrings look like Australian boulder opal to me. However I am sort of an opal newbie, other than knowing the technical aspects we learned at the GIA. But as far a quality and varieties are concerned, I'm still learning. I know one thing though, I'd wear that suite in a heartbeat. I like your idea of adding hooks to the earrings instead of the posts, so you get some movement out of them. Very, very easy to do yourself. Just order the gold hooks and have some needle nose pliers on-hand. Thank you for sharing those beauties!!

 

[cocotate]

Australian boulder opal to me. However I am sort of an opal newbie

Bingo - they're sitting on ironstones, so either pricey boulders or well-set doublets.

Boulder Opal vs Doublet Opal

Boulder Opal vs Doublet Opal - The confusion can come from the fact that ironstone, which is found in natural Boulder Opal is often used as a backing piece to Opal Doublets.

www.opalauctions.com

Opal on Ironstone Free-Form Doublet Parcel 6.10ctw - 11BNBA

Easy, effortless, elegant... your unique everyday style that begins with Jedora Opal on Ironstone Free-Form Doublet Parcel 6.10ctw.

www.jedora.com

 

[Autumn in New England]

Bingo - they're sitting on ironstones, so either pricey boulders or well-set doublets.

Boulder Opal vs Doublet Opal

Boulder Opal vs Doublet Opal - The confusion can come from the fact that ironstone, which is found in natural Boulder Opal is often used as a backing piece to Opal Doublets.

www.opalauctions.com

Opal on Ironstone Free-Form Doublet Parcel 6.10ctw - 11BNBA

Easy, effortless, elegant... your unique everyday style that begins with Jedora Opal on Ironstone Free-Form Doublet Parcel 6.10ctw.

www.jedora.com

Ahhh thank you! This is so interesting to me...

 

[cocotate]

Ahhh thank you! This is so interesting to me...

One of the aspects I love about Boulder opals is that they can polish up to a high shine like waxed cars. See if you could notice what I mean.

63.95 cts Quality Boulder Opal Stone INV-2775 Investmentopals

Boulder Opal Stones 42.5 x 24 x 8.3mm 63.95 cts Auction #1258977 Opal Auctions

www.opalauctions.com

9 .12 CTS TOP GEM BOULDER OPAL WINTON CS1380o

Boulder Opal Stones 21.3 x 11.3 x 4mm 9.12 cts Auction #1157252 Opal Auctions

www.opalauctions.com

Boulder Opal from Jundah, Queensland

Boulder Opal Stones 27.1 x 13.06 x 6.52mm 15.79 cts Auction #1228209 Opal Auctions

www.opalauctions.com

Beautiful 5.2ct Aqua Queensland Boulder Opal | Loose Australian Opal Gem

Boulder Opal Stones 13.1 x 8.7 x 4.8mm 5.2 cts Auction #1292337 Opal Auctions

www.opalauctions.com

 

[Autumn in New England]

One of the aspects I love about Boulder opals is that they can polish up to a high shine like waxed cars. See if you could notice what I mean.

63.95 cts Quality Boulder Opal Stone INV-2775 Investmentopals

Boulder Opal Stones 42.5 x 24 x 8.3mm 63.95 cts Auction #1258977 Opal Auctions

www.opalauctions.com

9 .12 CTS TOP GEM BOULDER OPAL WINTON CS1380o

Boulder Opal Stones 21.3 x 11.3 x 4mm 9.12 cts Auction #1157252 Opal Auctions

www.opalauctions.com

Boulder Opal from Jundah, Queensland

Boulder Opal Stones 27.1 x 13.06 x 6.52mm 15.79 cts Auction #1228209 Opal Auctions

www.opalauctions.com

Beautiful 5.2ct Aqua Queensland Boulder Opal | Loose Australian Opal Gem

Boulder Opal Stones 13.1 x 8.7 x 4.8mm 5.2 cts Auction #1292337 Opal Auctions

www.opalauctions.com

Yes! They almost look "wet." That 9.20ct. is ...

 

[cocotate]

Yes! They almost look "wet." That 9.20ct. is ...

Yes, gorgeous. If I wasn't so partial to the high dome, I'd grab it.

Earrings?

14.30 cts Quality Boulder Opal Pair INV-2768 Investmentopals

Boulder Opal Pairs 19.2 x 11.2 x 3.2mm 14.3 carats Auction #1257367 Opal Auctions

www.opalauctions.com

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Bingo - they're sitting on ironstones, so either pricey boulders or well-set doublets.

I’m pretty sure they must be doublets, especially since they are set in bezels. Probably not the most expensive opals so it makes sense. Very vibrant though.

Just order the gold hooks and have some needle nose pliers on-hand.

Any suggestions as to a source for the hooks? I’m definitely capable of doing the work.

 

[fredflintstone]

I know what I wrote earlier and I meant it. Yet, I get these posts in my e-mail. I know, I should not pay attention and at the moment I really should not care what you or anyone buys, but I do. I cannot help myself. It is in my nature to be fair and honest to a fault.

Please do not be bamboozled by these sinfully overpriced boulder opals above. All you are getting is a thin slice of opal over iron stone. None of these pieces are particularly outstanding, outside of the black, which is nice, but not that nice, and the prices of these boulder opals are laughable for what you would actually get.

Please be warned, stay away, far away. Aussie material is like Burma rubies, Colombian emerald, Kashmir Sapphire, Brazilin Paraiba, all way over priced because of origin. Please do not let yourself or anyone else for that matter get caught in this money trap.

Now, I will try not to post another word, but believe it or not, I do care.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Any suggestions as to a source for the hooks? I’m definitely capable of doing the work.

Yes! I often buy my jewelry findings (for making earrings or bead necklaces, etc.) from Fire Mountain Gems. Wonderful, family-owned company! Are you in the US? They are based in Oregon. Here are a few options. If you don't see anything you like, let me know, because there are a couple of vendors on Etsy I trust as well. You need 14k, correct?

https://www.firemountaingems.com/itemdetails/h201308fs

https://www.firemountaingems.com/itemdetails/h202684fy

https://www.firemountaingems.com/itemdetails/h202686fy

 

[Autumn in New England]

I absolutely believe you do care, @fredflintstone! Sometimes it's difficult to resist giving input on these types of subjects, even if it might be unpopular (not saying your viewpoint is), and especially when you're passionate about it. We should all feel free to speak openly in that respect... it's why we're all here. In any event, how is your family?

 

[cocotate]

Please do not be bamboozled by these sinfully overpriced boulder opal.

I doubt anyone will be "bamboozled" by these boulder specimens posted for example. PSers are savvier than you give credit!

 

[cocotate]

Probably not the most expensive opals so it makes sense. Very vibrant though.

The first opal jewelry I bought on a whim years ago when I knew nothing also ended up being a doublet. I bought it because it was much more beautiful than other opals I've seen, and it certainly wasn't inexpensive while set in gold. The fact the opal was a doublet wasn't obviously disclosed as if novice buyers are assumed to know while not paying a much higher price for a solid opal. Nice doublets are beautiful and often more vibrant indeed.

 

[fredflintstone]

I absolutely believe you do care, @fredflintstone! Sometimes it's difficult to resist giving input on these types of subjects, even if it might be unpopular (not saying your viewpoint is), and especially when you're passionate about it. We should all feel free to speak openly in that respect... it's why we're all here. In any event, how is your family?

Thank you, Autumn, and thank you for your concern about my family.

My son was robbed and beaten with a baseball bat. He has suffered severe head trauma. He has been in a coma since a couple found him lying in a parking lot. The doctors are not sure if he will come out of the coma and if he does, he may never be the same.

I do thank you again for you concern, it does mean a lot to me.

 

[Avondale]

Thank you, Autumn, and thank you for your concern about my family.

My son was robbed and beaten with a baseball bat. He has suffered severe head trauma. He has been in a coma since a couple found him lying in a parking lot. The doctors are not sure if he will come out of the coma and if he does, he may never be the same.

I do thank you again for you concern, it does mean a lot to me.

Something similar happened to a friend of mine a couple of months ago, only it wasn't a robbery, but just a plain old beating. Mindless, reasonless, purposeless. I saw what his family went through and I can't imagine how you must be feeling. But I hope with all my heart your son pulls through this madness and recovers, even if it takes a little while.

 

[fredflintstone]

Something similar happened to a friend of mine a couple of months ago, only it wasn't a robbery, but just a plain old beating. Mindless, reasonless, purposeless. I saw what his family went through and I can't imagine how you must be feeling. But I hope with all my heart your son pulls through this madness and recovers, even if it takes a little while.

Thank you.

 

[yssie]

Oh my goodness. I’m just catching up on this thread. @fredflintstone, I’m so very very sorry, I hope your son is able to recover. I haven’t words for how horrific this is. I’ll be thinking about you.

 

[cocotate]

That's absolutely horrible. Prayers with you @fredflintstone and I hope you and your family pull through with a speedy recovery.

 

[fredflintstone]

Oh my goodness. I’m just catching up on this thread. @fredflintstone, I’m so very very sorry, I hope your son is able to recover. I haven’t words for how horrific this is. I’ll be thinking about you.

Thank you! I sure appreciate the good thoughts!

 

[fredflintstone]

That's absolutely horrible. Prayers with you @fredflintstone and I hope you and your family pull through with a speedy recovery.

Thank you, so much!

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Thank you, Autumn, and thank you for your concern about my family.

My son was robbed and beaten with a baseball bat. He has suffered severe head trauma. He has been in a coma since a couple found him lying in a parking lot. The doctors are not sure if he will come out of the coma and if he does, he may never be the same.

I do thank you again for you concern, it does mean a lot to me.

I’m so sorry Fred. I was worried about your original comment but didn’t want to pry. I can’t imagine how hard this must be because it’s every parent’s worst fear including mine. I really hope your son pulls through. Sending my love. I wish there was more I could do.

 

[fredflintstone]

I’m so sorry Fred. I was worried about your original comment but didn’t want to pry. I can’t imagine how hard this must be because it’s every parent’s worst fear including mine. I really hope your son pulls through. Sending my love. I wish there was more I could do.

Thank you CaseyLouLou!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Oh good lord, @fredflintstone. I was not expecting that. A bit lost for words... sending my sincerest wishes for a positive outcome. I hope that the support you have from family and friends comforts and lifts you in the meantime. Please keep us updated, if you can.

 

[fredflintstone]

Oh good lord, @fredflintstone. I was not expecting that. A bit lost for words... sending my sincerest wishes for a positive outcome. I hope that the support you have from family and friends comforts and lifts you in the meantime. Please keep us updated, if you can.

Thank you! I will!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

@fredflintstone I'm thinking of you and your boy. Words are wind, I know. But still, the sentiment is real and my heart hurts, thinking of you and your boy.

 

[lambskin]

Sending prayers to you and your family at Fred flint stone.

 

[icy_jade]

Thank you, Autumn, and thank you for your concern about my family.

My son was robbed and beaten with a baseball bat. He has suffered severe head trauma. He has been in a coma since a couple found him lying in a parking lot. The doctors are not sure if he will come out of the coma and if he does, he may never be the same.

I do thank you again for you concern, it does mean a lot to me.

Oh no. My heart goes out to you and your family and truly hope that he pulls through with no lasting damage. Sending my very best wishes over.

 

[Gloria27]

Thank you, Autumn, and thank you for your concern about my family.

My son was robbed and beaten with a baseball bat. He has suffered severe head trauma. He has been in a coma since a couple found him lying in a parking lot. The doctors are not sure if he will come out of the coma and if he does, he may never be the same.

I do thank you again for you concern, it does mean a lot to me.

So sorry that happened to your son, this is terrible, I have no words.
I wish him a full recovery.

 

[fredflintstone]

Thank you all for you kind words and thoughts.

It is so greatly appreciated.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Best wishes for his speedy and full recovery.
It is hard to understand the lives and motivations of some folk!