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Why am I so intrigued?

lmyracle

Shiny_Rock
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164E881F-8089-4580-8B50-AF43BE47BF69.png I’m not even sure if I would wear this but something about it keeps drawing me in. It’s a 5.3 ct Andamooka black opal (not a doublet) with emeralds, 14k. Seller asking $2100.
 

OoohShiny

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Is the opal graded?
Either way, have you compared prices for similar items?

What karat is the gold? (presuming it's solid gold?)
Is it hallmarked / stamped / dated? (it looks quite old to me!)
Have you weighed the item to determine what the scrap/melt value would be if it is gold?

If you have that money just as spare cash, and could recoup most/all of it if you broke the piece up, I don't see a reason not to get it - even if it just sits in the jewellery box and you stare at it for a while every time you open the box, it will still be bringing you pleasure for minimal cost if/when you sell it or split it up :)

I don't think @jordyonbass could comment on the opal specifically but he may be able to advise you in general terms!
 

jordyonbass

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Is the opal graded?
Either way, have you compared prices for similar items?

What karat is the gold? (presuming it's solid gold?)
Is it hallmarked / stamped / dated? (it looks quite old to me!)
Have you weighed the item to determine what the scrap/melt value would be if it is gold?

If you have that money just as spare cash, and could recoup most/all of it if you broke the piece up, I don't see a reason not to get it - even if it just sits in the jewellery box and you stare at it for a while every time you open the box, it will still be bringing you pleasure for minimal cost if/when you sell it or split it up :)

I don't think @jordyonbass could comment on the opal specifically but he may be able to advise you in general terms!

The only thing I can think of to check is that it isn't 'cooked'; a lot of Andamooka material is matrix and then treated to make it look like a Black Opal. While Andamooka does produce Black Opal on very rare occasion, cooked matrix Opals are far more common.
 

OoohShiny

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The only thing I can think of to check is that it isn't 'cooked'; a lot of Andamooka material is matrix and then treated to make it look like a Black Opal. While Andamooka does produce Black Opal on very rare occasion, cooked matrix Opals are far more common.
Thank you, kind sir! :))
 

lmyracle

Shiny_Rock
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The only thing I can think of to check is that it isn't 'cooked'; a lot of Andamooka material is matrix and then treated to make it look like a Black Opal. While Andamooka does produce Black Opal on very rare occasion, cooked matrix Opals are far more common.

I don't know much about opals so I'll inquire if it's cooked - how would you know? Does a lab report state that? Here are a few more details:
1 Earth Mined solid Australian opal 13mmx10mm appx 5.3ct
4 princess cut emeralds, appx 1 ct total
14k solid gold (tested and guaranteed)
11.9 grams

I've purchased from the seller before and there's money-back guarantee. I don't know that I could muster breaking this pendant down - it's just so unique and I think that's what draws me to it, even as much 'over the top' as it seems to be (although probably smaller IRL than pictures - - I always think stuff will be bigger. LOL)

Cooked vs uncooked -- could you tell me what you feel would be an appropriate price for both? I just have no idea with opals but some 5ct black opals I've searched seem to be priced well above, and below. So I really don't know.
 

lmyracle

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jordyonbass

Ideal_Rock
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I don't know much about opals so I'll inquire if it's cooked - how would you know? Does a lab report state that? Here are a few more details:
1 Earth Mined solid Australian opal 13mmx10mm appx 5.3ct
4 princess cut emeralds, appx 1 ct total
14k solid gold (tested and guaranteed)
11.9 grams

I've purchased from the seller before and there's money-back guarantee. I don't know that I could muster breaking this pendant down - it's just so unique and I think that's what draws me to it, even as much 'over the top' as it seems to be (although probably smaller IRL than pictures - - I always think stuff will be bigger. LOL)

Cooked vs uncooked -- could you tell me what you feel would be an appropriate price for both? I just have no idea with opals but some 5ct black opals I've searched seem to be priced well above, and below. So I really don't know.

Unfortunately I am unable to give you pricing on this particular stone. But as with most Colored Stones, natural black is worth far more than cooked black. You might be able to see areas of black needles with a loupe to tell if it is cooked, this is where the carbonized sugar syrup has penetrated the stone.
 

SandyinAnaheim

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@lmyracle that piece is beautiful and very unique. The workmanship is really lovely. I have an observation though. The gold, if you're thinking you'll make money on it, should be considered. At 12 grams for that whole pendant, which seems rather large in her hand, surely it must be hollow. I have gold earrings that way 9 grams and they're VERY light. I have a client that does gold selvage from pawn shops and the like. He sells things to me for $25/gram for either 14 or 18k. I don't know where you're based out of, but it probably wouldn't go for much more than that anywhere in the US, unless you sold it for its workmanship. Just wanted you to consider that.
 

SandyinAnaheim

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@lmyracle that piece is beautiful and very unique. The workmanship is really lovely. I have an observation though. The gold, if you're thinking you'll make money on it, should be considered. At 12 grams for that whole pendant, which seems rather large in her hand, surely it must be hollow. I have gold earrings that way 9 grams and they're VERY light. I have a client that does gold selvage from pawn shops and the like. He sells things to me for $25/gram for either 14 or 18k. I don't know where you're based out of, but it probably wouldn't go for much more than that anywhere in the US, unless you sold it for its workmanship. Just wanted you to consider that.
 

lmyracle

Shiny_Rock
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@lmyracle that piece is beautiful and very unique. The workmanship is really lovely. I have an observation though. The gold, if you're thinking you'll make money on it, should be considered. At 12 grams for that whole pendant, which seems rather large in her hand, surely it must be hollow. I have gold earrings that way 9 grams and they're VERY light. I have a client that does gold selvage from pawn shops and the like. He sells things to me for $25/gram for either 14 or 18k. I don't know where you're based out of, but it probably wouldn't go for much more than that anywhere in the US, unless you sold it for its workmanship. Just wanted you to consider that.
I'm glad you mentioned this because that's exactly what I thought as well. Has to be hollow for that size/weight. Still not exactly sure what I think about it....waiting to find out more about the opal - and I'm not even a 'fan' of opals at all but this piece is just so unique...
 

lambskin

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can we see the back of it? does it come with the chain?
 

lmyracle

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IMG_7290.jpg @lambskin it does not come with the chain.
 

lambskin

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I am not a black opal expert so you may want to verify if the opal is truly a black opal and not a doublet wherein a piece of black onyx or other dark material is fused on the back of the opal to enhance the colors. The best way to tell this is to get a full side view of the opal to see if you can visualize the entire stone and eye possible layers. Since the piece does not come with that perfect sized chain it will cost you a small fortune to get a chain that will look appropiate in regard to thickness and length. The piece would make a statement brooch as it does not come with the chain. If you really want the piece I would tell the seller that the chain must come with it for the price as they seem to be made for each other.
 
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