Lightning Ridge Black Opal

[MakingTheGrade]

That stone is magical! I can't wait to see what you do with it!

Assuming I can get over my anxieties to find a jeweler! Eek now I’m nervous!!

 

[rubysweettart]

Assuming I can get over my anxieties to find a jeweler! Eek now I’m nervous!!

You'll be fine! You're aware of how precious and delicate the stone is, you're not going into it uneducated, and there's always PS advice to help.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

You'll be fine! You're aware of how precious and delicate the stone is, you're not going into it uneducated, and there's always PS advice to help.

True!
I’m also googling things like “opal ring specialist” lol

 

[rubysweettart]

I wonder if you put that request out there, if there aren't people on here who will have the perfect person to set it. But you might need to have an idea of what you want first, right? Because it's not just setting the stone, but someone who can create your vision, too.

 

[rubysweettart]

And keep in mind, I'm a total newbie! I don't always understand the process...

 

[Catmom]

I didn’t know that happened to her! Sorry @Catmom

Yeah it can happen with opals even with your most trusted jeweler.

MakingTheGrade, that is a gorgeous opal! The colors are amazing. I'm sure it will pack a punch even if it isn't 10x12.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Thanks. I’m looking up various “galaxy” inspired designs

 

[Acinom]

Your opal is amazing!!! Such gorgeous colours.
With these colours, the size is less important.

My opal is set by Australian based designer Alistair Kelsey. He loves working with opals. He is a great communicator too (I am based in Europe).

My opal is set in the Floret design:

He can probably make this design without a halo and with stones in the shank:

Flowing design for an organic shaped opal:

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Gorgeous designs!!
Although after all the shipping stress from getting the opal I’m a bit hesistanf to ship it back to Australia! Lol

 

[clumberlove]

That opal is absolutely stunning, one of the most beautiful I've ever seen! PS is so dangerous, I never really had an interest in opals, now I am craving one ! I think a galaxy inspired ring will be gorgeous too!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

That opal is absolutely stunning, one of the most beautiful I've ever seen! PS is so dangerous, I never really had an interest in opals, now I am craving one ! I think a galaxy inspired ring will be gorgeous too!

Opals are fascinating and fun to stare at all day. And the nice thing is they come in very budget friendly varieties. Well opal for example are colorful but quite affordable. Boulder opals are also pretty wallet friendly

 

[MakingTheGrade]

It’s cold to be how “soft” the opal looks compared to my faceted gems. It’s like wearing a small and lovely oil painting.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Wow, so much autocorrect. That should say "it's cool to me how"

 

[lilmosun]

Nice opals are so hard to find and yours is going to make a beautiful ring...nice find!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Nice opals are so hard to find and yours is going to make a beautiful ring...nice find!

Thanks.
I’m probably going to “live with it” a bit until February before I decide on how to set it. I’ve had a lot of projects this fall/winter. Need to take a break!

 

[chatoyancy]

One of the jewelets I use woks with opals regularly. It’s his favorite stone. Stonehavenjewelry.com. He’s local to me. You may be able to ship your stone. The jeweler’s Name is Ron Ludholz. My husband had my black opal set by him.

 

[ilovegemstones]

Stunning stone MTG! Eager to see it completed!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Heh I made a goofy little wire home for him until I set it proper.

It’s not that secure so I’m only wearing it while I type at work :p

 

[suzanne2]

LOL! What a fun way to take it to work and enjoy it!

 

[Indylady]

Thanks! Took me a loooooooooooooong time to find:
A black opal
From Lightning Ridge
With all the colors
In a floral pattern (I don't like pinpoint)
With good directionality of color and coverage
At least 6x6mm for a ring
And IN BUDGET

I would love if it were a higher dome, but hey, good enough!

If I could afford this kind of stone in a 10x12 size, that'd be my holy grail opal!

Gorgeous!! And good potential checklist too...I didn’t realize that there was a distinction in the patterns between pinpoint and floral, it’s fun to learn something new!

 

[elliefire99]

Heh I made a goofy little wire home for him until I set it proper.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Gorgeous!! And good potential checklist too...I didn’t realize that there was a distinction in the patterns between pinpoint and floral, it’s fun to learn something new!

Yup there are a few different pattern names and the patterns seem to also
Influence the price. For black opal anyways.


Hmmm. I wonder how permanent blackened silver is...

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Hmm. Do you think I’d have the finger space for this?


View attachment 665366

 

[MakingTheGrade]

After much talking to a few different jewelers about designs and options, finally send it off to Sally at hearts of water on Etsy to set! Thinking a two stone ring with vertical configuration and rope/bezel details. Waiting to hear what she thinks once she sees them . She has a great eye for design!

 

[arkieb1]

Very cool opal, it has a beautiful pattern like a painting inside it!!! Can't wait to see it set!!!

 

[lovedogs]

Sally will do an outstanding job. She's a true artist.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Sally will do an outstanding job. She's a true artist.

I agree. I’ve never gotten anything from her I didn’t love!

Got these sketches. Leaning towards the top design since the bezel offers the opal more protection than the buttercups

 

[Rfisher]

Your ring will be beautiful!
Those buttercups are lovely (I have one on the way!) - understand your reasoning tho.

 

[qubitasaurus]

I am not a fan of frilly things so I automatically lean against the buttercup design. But I am also kind of immediately hit by the fact that the top design emphasize the difference in shape and almost seems to elongate the step cut. Whereas the buttercup makes the two look much more homogeneous. Depends what you are going for.

I guess it might also be worthwhile asking yourself if you were offered the floret design or the bottom bezeld design in your inspiration pictures which would you pick? Because the buttercups can probably be made a bit closer to the floret if that ticks the boxes.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I am not a fan of frilly things so I automatically lean against the buttercup design. But I am also kind of immediately hit by the fact that the top design emphasize the difference in shape and almost seems to elongate the step cut. Whereas the buttercup makes the two look much more homogeneous. Depends what you are going for.

I guess it might also be worthwhile asking yourself if you were offered the floret design or the bottom bezeld design in your inspiration pictures which would you pick? Because the buttercups can probably be made a bit closer to the floret if that ticks the boxes.

I tend towards the top one anyways since I’m also not usually a frilly design person either. Also I quite like emphasizing the different shapes