My opal

[packrat]

Soooo I''ve been trying to take pictures of my opal to get some opinions on how to set it. I did manage to get a few but I can''t get real close up, so I''m not sure how they''ll look. They''re pretty on my computer screen so let''s see.

 

[packrat]

And this is my attempt at the size of it. I took these inside by the window..is it better to go outside?

 

[packrat]

I''ve got an opal pendant already-a fire opal from my gramma. So, I would like this to be a ring. I thought about doing a full bezel..then I thought about Sally''s lotus ring.

I''ve had it for about a year now. I don''t know about the quality of it or anything-I don''t know that much about opals other than they''re my birthstone and I adore them.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[chrono]

Most gemstones look better outdoors. Give that a shot. It looks to have a few dead spots but where the colour shows, I like how irridescent it looks; the bright green, blue and yellow.

 

[Linda W]

Your opal is very beautiful. It would look gorgeous in Sally''s Lotus setting. Please more pictures.

 

[ilovesparkles]

Purdy! Might be kinda big for a ring IMHO. what about a bracelet?

 

[chrono]

That looks like a millimeter reading correct? I would not have a problem with ring stones up to 10mm.

 

[packrat]

Yep, it''s mm side of the ruler..I took it down to the jewelers last year and they used the little dealy to measure it but I don''t remember what they said. K, lemme go outside and see if I can get some better ones. I think Spring has finally come to my corner of Iowa!

 

[innerkitten]

It''s very pretty. A bezel is a good idea to keep it protected. Or maybe some type of halo setting.

 

[packrat]

k this one was outside. Not sure if it''s any better!

 

[packrat]

I put it on my middle finger to have a frame of reference..I must say I''m amazed at how pudgy my fingers look in pictures!

 

[LD]

Packrat - the most important thing is that YOU love the stone. Opals are difficult to photograph. Is it an Andamooka Semi-Black?

It''ll look lovely in one of Sally''s rings but might be a little too exposed in the lotus ring. Have you seen the pillbox ring she does? It has a bezel head and I think would look gorgeous because you never really want to see the sides or underside of an opal and the pillbox will be perfect for that.

 

[packrat]

Yep, I do love the little guy..I''m not sure what kind it is. I asked Gramma but it''s been so long, she wasn''t sure. Grampa was an amateur gem cutter, and was big into opals. They used to go to Australia every winter, and met someone who owned an opal mine. This is one of the opals Grampa mined. I was born on his birthday, and he died when I was 14, so this is my own little piece of Grampa to carry with me.

I never thought of Sally''s pillbox setting, LD-that''s a good idea! It''s pretty and it won''t break my bank!

 

[ma re]

I actually like the bracelet idea, as you already have a pendant and opals (due to their fragility) are not the best ring stones. Bezeling it is a good idea, but you''ll have to find a good jeweller who has some experience with setting opals, as they can get damaged in the process. BTW, take a look at them on an overcast day; some experts claim that that''s the best light to show their play of color.

 

[packrat]

Thanks for your input Ma Re! I''ll probably do a ring, tho I do like the thought of a bracelet-I just never wear them. I want a lotus ring sooo bad, but I do want it to be protected, so I think I''ll convo Sally and talk to her about the pillbox. Do opals look better in certain metals or is that just personal preference?

 

[ma re]

Date: 4/12/2009 1:56:06 PM
Author: packrat
Thanks for your input Ma Re! I''ll probably do a ring, tho I do like the thought of a bracelet-I just never wear them. I want a lotus ring sooo bad, but I do want it to be protected, so I think I''ll convo Sally and talk to her about the pillbox. Do opals look better in certain metals or is that just personal preference?

IMO that depends on how bright their colors are - if they''re more pastel and subdued, I''d go with white, but if they''re screaming and vibrant there''s no reason not to go with a high karat yellow, for instance. If there''s some red/pink/orange in the color play you can even go with rose gold. I guess it all depends on the colors, but your stone seems to be suitable for white metal - although you can choose whatever you like, of course.

 

[FrekeChild]

Very cool. I love the green.

I think I''d go with a ring in white gold. Let us know what Sally says!

 

[mochi]

I love opals, and your''s is pretty!!

 

[ilovesparkles]

Date: 4/11/2009 3:34:45 PM
Author: packrat
k this one was outside. Not sure if it''s any better!

Love this photo, it looks glowing with flecks of colored fire! Gorgeous!

 

[packrat]

Freke, Mochi and Sparkles, thank you! I convo''d Sally about the Pillbox! I''m excited-I might be able to cross 1 of my projects off the list! I appreciate everyone''s help steering me along!

 

[chrono]

I would do white since I see some greens and blues.

Mar Re,
Wouldn''t an opal bracelet be more prone to damage with the hand/wrist banging/rubbing on things here and there?

 

[ma re]

Date: 4/12/2009 10:54:29 PM
Author: Chrono
I would do white since I see some greens and blues.

Mar Re,
Wouldn''t an opal bracelet be more prone to damage with the hand/wrist banging/rubbing on things here and there?

Not if it''s a bangle bracelet

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 4/11/2009 11:48:35 AM
Author: packrat
And this is my attempt at the size of it. I took these inside by the window..is it better to go outside?

Love this photo and the colors.

 

[Imdanny]

Congrats! I like it! Opal is my mother''s favorite stone. I like them too. How could you not?