This was the first gemstone in my collection!

[Agneau]

I just wanted to share my opal with you guys.

My love of gemstones started 4 years ago in a college marine biology class (my teacher was also a geology professor and he had posters on his walls of gemstones and minerals).

About 5 months ago I purchased my first loose gem.
Recently, I set it into a sterling silver setting until I find something nicer.

I have never been one for opals, but this little guy spoke to me.



12x8 2.5ct Welo Opal.







I would love to know what your first gemstone was! Have pictures?

 

[minousbijoux]

That is one of the prettiest Welo opals I've seen - it looks like an Australian crystal opal with all of its pastel glory. Well done!

 

[justginger]

Beautiful opal!

My first gemstone was a marquise sapphire (and diamond chip) ring that my parents gave me for my 14th birthday. I loved it, though I now understand how poor of quality the sapphire was. It wasn't quite as bad as the ink black ones stocked in maul shops, but it was awfully dark. It had a loose prong when I was around 17, and I took it to be repaired at a different store than we usually used. When I picked it up, there was a giant chunk missing out of the middle! I showed my parents, who complained, and they were told that I must have hit my hand on a locker at school because that damage had already occurred when I dropped the ring off. Yeah, because I'd pay to have a prong repaired on a stone that was nearly shattered.

As an adult, my first gemstone purchase was a tsavorite from Swala. I've since sold it because I've turned into a size ho and wasn't ever going to set it. It was beautiful though, a very good first gem.

 

[JewelFreak]

What a wonderful start to a gem collection! If you 'begin as you mean to carry on," as the old saying goes, you've got a terrific gem future ahead. It's beautiful.

 

[Kim Bruun]

Very pretty - but then, I have always loved opals with good colour play!

 

[chrono]

Wow, a lot of blue and green colour play, reminding me of the shallower parts of the warm beach waters.

 

[Arkteia]

So pretty, congratulations!

 

[michellechan2211]

Wow, that's pretty- love the colors on that Welo Opal. <3

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Beautiful opal!

My first gemstone was a marquise sapphire (and diamond chip) ring that my parents gave me for my 14th birthday. I loved it, though I now understand how poor of quality the sapphire was. It wasn't quite as bad as the ink black ones stocked in maul shops, but it was awfully dark. It had a loose prong when I was around 17, and I took it to be repaired at a different store than we usually used. When I picked it up, there was a giant chunk missing out of the middle! I showed my parents, who complained, and they were told that I must have hit my hand on a locker at school because that damage had already occurred when I dropped the ring off. Yeah, because I'd pay to have a prong repaired on a stone that was nearly shattered.

As an adult, my first gemstone purchase was a tsavorite from Swala. I've since sold it because I've turned into a size ho and wasn't ever going to set it. It was beautiful though, a very good first gem.

My first gemstone was a 5 stone ring purchased from a catalog, alternating inky sapphires with milky opals. I was around 12 at the time and I had saved all my money to buy that beautiful, beautiful ring. Fortunately, my eye has improved since then but how I loved it! Eventually, it was stolen by a "friend".

 

[Agneau]

minous, kim, chrono, arkteia, michelle - Thank you so much for enjoying the opal with me. I am so happy there is a place where we can all geek out on pretty stones collectively. Most of the people around me IRL don't share in my love for gems so my excitement is often contained.

jewelfreak- Awww, thank you. I wish every gem in my future collection would work like this one did... but I fear this was a once in a lifetime for me on this poor college student budget. We shall see .

ginger- sorry to hear about your first sapphire... sentimental things are so hard to loose. =(

lady- I am sorry to hear that your friend stole your ring! Strangely that has happened a few times in my old group of friends.

 

[maccers]

I'm not an opal person either but I totally see why you bought this one! It's really, really fabulous. Great job!

 

[Lady_Disdain]

jewelfreak- Awww, thank you. I wish every gem in my future collection would work like this one did... but I fear this was a once in a lifetime for me on this poor college student budget. We shall see .

There are plenty of beautiful bargains out there and PSers excel at finding them. Hang around and you will find other great stones for your collection, at prices you can afford.

 

[pandabee]

It's gorgeous! I love the glow. Really beautiful color flashes as well. Great purchase for your first gemstone!