Genuine black opal?

[Fern Gully]

Hello all,

I recently purchased online what was described as a ‘Vintage 1980’s Black Opal ring set in sterling silver with 925 stamp and makers mark.‘ The makers mark is unreadable in the pictures but I instantly loved the stone and it was a great price point, so I bought it anyway. It is currently making its way to me in the post and hopefully once received I will be able to make out the makers mark.

In the meantime, I would love to know your opinions regarding whether the opal appears genuine? I have very limited knowledge about opals, and this is my first opal purchase. From some online research, in my opinion it certainly has the appearance of a real, solid opal. But then again, I could easily be wrong.


Please let me know what you think! Thanks

 

[stracci2000]

Hmmmm. This ring looks kinda fishy to me.
Something is definitely weird about this opal. It almost seems like some sort of composite. And why don't they show a clear shot of the 925 mark? Also, the prongs look mangled.
Maybe it will turn out to be sterling, and I am all wrong.
I hope you didn't pay too much!

 

[Fern Gully]

Hmmmm. This ring looks kinda fishy to me.
Something is definitely weird about this opal. It almost seems like some sort of composite. And why don't they show a clear shot of the 925 mark? Also, the prongs look mangled.
Maybe it will turn out to be sterling, and I am all wrong.
I hope you didn't pay too much!

Hi,

Thanks so much for your feedback! There is a faint 925 marking visible in one of the pics (I've attached a close up photo) and the seller did acknowledge it was a badly applied stamp.

I certainly agree with you that something seems unusual about it, but I haven't been able to find any synthetics that look similar.

For those reasons I definitely didn't pay much for it, so I won't be disappointed if it isn't genuine.

 

[stracci2000]

Hi,

Thanks so much for your feedback! There is a faint 925 marking visible in one of the pics (I've attached a close up photo) and the seller did acknowledge it was a badly applied stamp.

I certainly agree with you that something seems unusual about it, but I haven't been able to find any synthetics that look similar.

For those reasons I definitely didn't pay much for it, so I won't be disappointed if it isn't genuine.

Buying jewelry online is sometimes a gamble! I hope it turns out to be genuine!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I hope it turns out to be genuine too
the 80's were a great fun time for jewlery and there is somethings about that ring that i love
plesse post hand shots when it arrives
Best of luck

 

[Fern Gully]

I hope it turns out to be genuine too
the 80's were a great fun time for jewlery and there is somethings about that ring that i love
plesse post hand shots when it arrives
Best of luck

Thanks, me too! I'll definitely update the post with some of my own pictures once it arrives

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thanks, me too! I'll definitely update the post with some of my own pictures once it arrives

Somewhere around here is an 80s jewlery thread

 

[dk168]

The prongs need to be fixed for certain. Hope it turns out to be real.

DK

 

[Bron357]

I think it’s natural opal. I think someone has put the opal into that ring setting even though it’s not a correct fit. It’s not deep enough.
When you get the ring carefully check using your fingernail on the edge to see if it “wiggles” in the setting. If it does, don’t wear it. Being a silver mount, it’s probably not worth $ wise fixing / re tipping the prongs. I’d get a new setting.
excellent shopping!

 

[Fern Gully]

I think it’s natural opal. I think someone has put the opal into that ring setting even though it’s not a correct fit. It’s not deep enough.
When you get the ring carefully check using your fingernail on the edge to see if it “wiggles” in the setting. If it does, don’t wear it. Being a silver mount, it’s probably not worth $ wise fixing / re tipping the prongs. I’d get a new setting.
excellent shopping!

Thanks very much for your feedback! I thought that it may need re-setting, so your advice is very helpful. Considering what I paid for it (less than $150 US), if it is genuine it would be worthwhile to re-set!

 

[jordyonbass]

It looks like a genuine, solid Opal to my eye. There's some clouds of black potch in the face that give that away.

I think I might know what people are seeing wrong but can't put their finger on it and it relates to the cut, but I'm not sure if I am allowed to say what it is since I am trade

 

[Fern Gully]

It looks like a genuine, solid Opal to my eye. There's some clouds of black potch in the face that give that away.

I think I might know what people are seeing wrong but can't put their finger on it and it relates to the cut, but I'm not sure if I am allowed to say what it is since I am trade

I’m very curious now about your opinion on the cut. I’d love to know more if you’re able to say!

I’m thrilled to hear two knowledgable opinions that it is genuine.

 

[jordyonbass]

I’m very curious now about your opinion on the cut. I’d love to know more if you’re able to say!

I’m thrilled to hear two knowledgable opinions that it is genuine.

As I mentioned, I am a bit limited with what I can say. However I think I can say that if your plan is to recover the stone for a different project, I reckon a re-cut would do this stone absolute wonders for it's aesthetics.

 

[GliderPoss]

Agree, it’s looks like a real opal but just needs a repolish desperately!!!

 

[pammbw]

Beautiful opal! I can definitely see the potential. Would love to see what you do with it.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Has it arrived yet ?

 

[Lee Little]

Looks like a natural Opal that has been put into a ring that originally held another stone. The prongs are not properly set against the stone plus the steep edges of the oddly cut stone are not secured by the prongs.
I would recommend removing the stone and having it re-cut with sloped sides. Then it would be best to rebuild the head of the ring to match it. Best regards, Lee