Is this a good opal purchase?

[Pinkmartini87]

Hi everyone!

Wanted to ask if this welo opal is a good buy. About $600 for a nearly 6 ct Welo opal.

Also, what's the difference (in terms of cost and difference in caring for stone) between Welo opals and opals from Australia in general?

Many thanks!

 

[Gloria27]

Seems overpriced at 100 per carat. These opals can start from 10$ -15$ per carat for the small sized ones.

 

[Bron357]

Welo opals are hydrophane which means they have a high water content and will absorb water. When Welo opals absorb water they lose their colour play, this takes a day or so to come back. Also having a high water content means they are more suspectible to cracking / crazing if exposed to dry heat.
Australian opal or which there are a number of varieties ie white, crystal, boulder and black don’t absorb water so their colour play doesn’t disappear when subject to water. They have a lower water content however they can also crack and craze, black opal is the most stable.
All opals are relatively soft ie 6 on Mohos scale this makes them unsuitable for a ring worn daily.
Make sure the vendor has a good return policy, the photos are done with a black background and strong light, it won’t look like that in normally daylight or with your skin as the background so you might be disappointed with it in “real life”.

 

[peacechick]

I have a welo opal that has lost color/fire over time. Apparently it is a known thing and for that reason some vendors keep their stock a few years before selling. Mine was really inexpensive so it was no loss but I have only bought Aussie opals since then. I also live in a high humidity region now and I’m not too sure what impact that has.

 

[GliderPoss]

Welo seems generally lower priced to me, can be unstable too. Would be very cautious about dealers lighting etc, probably won’t look like that in the hand.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Seems overpriced at 100 per carat. These opals can start from 10$ -15$ per carat for the small sized ones.

Thank you for taking the time to reply!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Welo opals are hydrophane which means they have a high water content and will absorb water. When Welo opals absorb water they lose their colour play, this takes a day or so to come back. Also having a high water content means they are more suspectible to cracking / crazing if exposed to dry heat.
Australian opal or which there are a number of varieties ie white, crystal, boulder and black don’t absorb water so their colour play doesn’t disappear when subject to water. They have a lower water content however they can also crack and craze, black opal is the most stable.
All opals are relatively soft ie 6 on Mohos scale this makes them unsuitable for a ring worn daily.
Make sure the vendor has a good return policy, the photos are done with a black background and strong light, it won’t look like that in normally daylight or with your skin as the background so you might be disappointed with it in “real life”.

@Bron357 thanks very much for your time and the tips!!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

I have a welo opal that has lost color/fire over time. Apparently it is a known thing and for that reason some vendors keep their stock a few years before selling. Mine was really inexpensive so it was no loss but I have only bought Aussie opals since then. I also live in a high humidity region now and I’m not too sure what impact that has.

@peacechick Thanks for sharing your personal experience!

 

[Pinkmartini87]

Welo seems generally lower priced to me, can be unstable too. Would be very cautious about dealers lighting etc, probably won’t look like that in the hand.

@HotPozzum Thanks for the advice! I will likely not purchase this due to everyone cautioning against stability.

 

[pwsg07]

I suggest to see the opal in person. The opal looks very different in real life than in the photo. $100 per carat is quite high for welo opals.

 

[Pinkmartini87]

I suggest to see the opal in person. The opal looks very different in real life than in the photo. $100 per carat is quite high for welo opals.

Thanks for taking the time! Yes, I will pass on this I think.