Where to purchase black opals online?

[Pinkmartini87]

Hi, wanted advice re which trusted online vendors to buy black opals from. (Personal experiences would be helpful!) Attached an example I found online of the type of opal I'd prefer (with lots of sparkle and play!)

Also, I know opals are fragile to daily wear, but is there any truth about not exposing them to changes of temperature (i.e. leaving a warm house into a cold, snowy winter night), or to direct sunlight? Do opals craze/crack over time?

As always, many thanks!

 

[missy]

Hi, wanted advice re which trusted online vendors to buy black opals from. (Personal experiences would be helpful!) Attached an example I found online of the type of opal I'd prefer (with lots of sparkle and play!)

Also, I know opals are fragile to daily wear, but is there any truth about not exposing them to changes of temperature (i.e. leaving a warm house into a cold, snowy winter night), or to direct sunlight? Do opals craze/crack over time?

As always, many thanks!

I recommend contacting @jordyonbass. He has an online store and can be contacted here.
https://www.instagram.com/msopalworld/

He is a trusted PS member and he is very knowledgeable about opals.

 

[Bluegemz]

Blackopaldirect and globeopal, and opalauctions
Are another 3 online sites. No personal experience but many have ordered from blackopaldirect.

 

[Bron357]

Hi, vendors are detailed are very reputable and reliable.
You need to deal with trusted people because there are constructed opals ie doublets and triplets which look the same but aren’t. Plus there are other varieties ie Ethiopian opals, the “black” ones often dyed and these days there are some very impressive looking synthetic opals.
Because a good solid black opal will cost thousands (and worth it) other variations are worth only hundreds or tens of dollars. You want to pay the appropriate price for what you buy!
All opals have a water content. It is the drying out of that water that leads to cracking and crazing. Australian black opal is one of the most stable.
Opals, like most gems don’t like thermal shock ie out in the snow and then coming in a plunging your hands into hot water. But ordinary cold conditions or hot conditions are not generally a problem. Sunshine doesn’t cause fading or anything only possible water evaporation over time ie days and days.
What you don’t want to do is store your opals in a hot dry environment, that can accelerate the evaporation of water within the opal and lead to cracking and crazing.
Opals are not everyday wearing rings. They are “softer” than the dust in the environment (mostly silica particles) they will abraid quite quickly, they will also chip if whacked hard enough against something.
Never put an opal in an ultrasonic cleaner and make sure your jeweller is familiar with opals, they can’t be “torched” with high heat and usually are unset if the ring mount requires work ie resizing.
Opals can be wet and washed with mild soap to clean, just air dry (not a hairdryer for eg) and will last very well with just a bit of extra care and caution.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

I recommend contacting @jordyonbass. He has an online store and can be contacted here.
https://www.instagram.com/msopalworld/

He is a trusted PS member and he is very knowledgeable about opals.

@missy Thank you, I will. His instagram page looks incredible.

Btw I have to say even though I'm fairly new to the forum, I've seen your Cartier opal ring come up in prior threads and it is absolutely magnificent!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Blackopaldirect and globeopal, and opalauctions
Are another 3 online sites. No personal experience but many have ordered from blackopaldirect.

@Bluegemz Thank you! Always so helpful! Great to know others here have used blackopaldirect. Will take a look tonight!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

@Bron357 As always, thanks for the learning! Very helpful tips on caring for opals! I'm quite clumsy thus going with opal earrings instead of a ring. Just watched a video on doublets/triplets--will avoid and get the real deal instead!

 

[OoohShiny]

Hi, vendors are detailed are very reputable and reliable.
You need to deal with trusted people because there are constructed opals ie doublets and triplets which look the same but aren’t. Plus there are other varieties ie Ethiopian opals, the “black” ones often dyed and these days there are some very impressive looking synthetic opals.
Because a good solid black opal will cost thousands (and worth it) other variations are worth only hundreds or tens of dollars. You want to pay the appropriate price for what you buy!
All opals have a water content. It is the drying out of that water that leads to cracking and crazing. Australian black opal is one of the most stable.
Opals, like most gems don’t like thermal shock ie out in the snow and then coming in a plunging your hands into hot water. But ordinary cold conditions or hot conditions are not generally a problem. Sunshine doesn’t cause fading or anything only possible water evaporation over time ie days and days.
What you don’t want to do is store your opals in a hot dry environment, that can accelerate the evaporation of water within the opal and lead to cracking and crazing.
Opals are not everyday wearing rings. They are “softer” than the dust in the environment (mostly silica particles) they will abraid quite quickly, they will also chip if whacked hard enough against something.
Never put an opal in an ultrasonic cleaner and make sure your jeweller is familiar with opals, they can’t be “torched” with high heat and usually are unset if the ring mount requires work ie resizing.
Opals can be wet and washed with mild soap to clean, just air dry (not a hairdryer for eg) and will last very well with just a bit of extra care and caution.

Wow, I never knew most of that - my good lady was wondering about opal earring and I was thinking about getting her an opal ring, but I don't think it's an option for a daily wearer if they are that fragile!!

Thank you for the educational post!

 

[peacechick]

Wow, I never knew most of that - my good lady was wondering about opal earring and I was thinking about getting her an opal ring, but I don't think it's an option for a daily wearer if they are that fragile!!

Thank you for the educational post!

They are delicate but not super fragile... there are many, many beautiful opal rings that have survived from the Georgian period and Victorian period, which tells you they will last a long time if taken care of.

Here is one example, which I just love: https://etsy.me/2SSxCkb

Most antique zircon rings, in comparison, look sadly abraded (I know as I was shopping for a preloved one recently).

 

[missy]

@missy Thank you, I will. His instagram page looks incredible.

Btw I have to say even though I'm fairly new to the forum, I've seen your Cartier opal ring come up in prior threads and it is absolutely magnificent!

Aww thank you so much! I cannot wait to see what you choose. Black opals can be incredibly beautiful. I look for a lively colorful stone with lots of different colors in it in a pleasing pattern. I prefer bolder colors to softer pastel colors in my opals but it comes down to your preference and that is all that matters. And I love to see red in my opal. Blue and green are more common but oh the red colors get me every time.

Good luck and cannot wait to see your beautiful new opal to be.

 

[arkieb1]

I second Justin from Black Opals Direct for a beautiful range of stones, or Jordy if you are looking for a bargain.

Aussie opal can craze but this generally occurs over long periods of time due to either harsh conditions, general age and wear or going from really severe temperature changes. It's kind of a urban myth that opals can't withstand hot temperatures - many parts of Australia where the opals come from have hot climates.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

They are delicate but not super fragile... there are many, many beautiful opal rings that have survived from the Georgian period and Victorian period, which tells you they will last a long time if taken care of.

Here is one example, which I just love: https://etsy.me/2SSxCkb

Most antique zircon rings, in comparison, look sadly abraded (I know as I was shopping for a preloved one recently).

@peacechick Definitely agree that antique opal jewellry pieces that survive are especially special given the care they must have been allowed in order to be preserved so wonderfully.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Aww thank you so much! I cannot wait to see what you choose. Black opals can be incredibly beautiful. I look for a lively colorful stone with lots of different colors in it in a pleasing pattern. I prefer bolder colors to softer pastel colors in my opals but it comes down to your preference and that is all that matters. And I love to see red in my opal. Blue and green are more common but oh the red colors get me every time.

Good luck and cannot wait to see your beautiful new opal to be.

@missy Thanks! Will definitely share photos when I find the right pair! I too prefer a bolder pattern and would love an opal with a Harlequin pattern. Keep you posted!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

I second Justin from Black Opals Direct for a beautiful range of stones, or Jordy if you are looking for a bargain.

Aussie opal can craze but this generally occurs over long periods of time due to either harsh conditions, general age and wear or going from really severe temperature changes. It's kind of a urban myth that opals can't withstand hot temperatures - many parts of Australia where the opals come from have hot climates.

@arkieb1 Thanks for taking the time to suggest vendors. Also good to know opals are perhaps a bit more resilient than I thought (and feared!). It sounds like if I am very careful, the opal should at least last for my lifetime!