Crystal opal setting?

[MakingTheGrade]

I recently bought a crystal opal from Beauwy, and while it's very pretty, it's almost entirely translucent and the color play doesn't show up as well when the stone is resting on a lighter background (i.e. my finger) when compared to when it's on a black background.

I was wondering if anyone here has had crystal opal set into a ring? And if so, what kind of backing was used? I imagine an oxidized silver would be pretty black...

I thought about a pendant since it's 3 ct, but I want to look at it flash!

 

[chrono]

I've seen such type of stones bezeled completely, including the back, with a black foil underneath the stone.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

Black rhodium bezel?

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I've seen such type of stones bezeled completely, including the back, with a black foil underneath the stone.

Stupid question but does the black foil change or degrade with time?

 

[chrono]

I have no idea but I think it would. No matter how tight it is made, one would think water and dirt does eventually get in there. How soon or late that happens will depend on the workmanship obviously but I think it would last many many years if well done.

 

[JewelFreak]

Georgian jewelry was commonly foiled -- not usually black, but whatever color the stones were, and those pieces survive intact even now, 200 yrs later.

--- Laurie

 

[chrono]

JF,
The people who wore them were often high born as well, correct? If so, the likely reason they survived well might because the wearers did practically nothing whilst wearing them.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I doubt I"ll be doing much manual labor in my rings but still, would be nice to know the appearance wouldn't change much with time or exposure.

 

[jstarfireb]

Cool opal! Could you set it on top of a slab of onyx, effectively making it a doublet (but without fusing them together)?

 

[pregcurious]

Will antiqued gold work (https://www.leonmege.com/index.php/portfolio/shop-now/201-sapphire-and-tsavorite-wedding-bands-detail)?

 

[pinkjewel]

I wonder if some sort of "reflection" setting would work. This is a mexican jelly fire opal I saw at a gem show-it looked like liquid lava-sooooo cool!! Unfortunately, if the concave setting was rhodium plated-it would no longer reflect, so not sure this would work.