Opal advice

[FL_Sol]

Hi all.
am SO new to the colored gem world that I have almost no idea what I am doing.
I bought one small beautiful spinel and then purchased a sunstone which was a quite a bit of a dud.
I am looking for an opal and need help. I found this one but can’t tell if it is worth $200 shipped? What do you all think?
I know it is pretty transparent but I kink of like the pink hue.

 

[pwsg07]

What is the origin? What is the weight of the stone? I usually avoid coloured opals because a lot of them are dyed

 

[FL_Sol]

What is the origin? What is the weight of the stone? I usually avoid coloured opals because a lot of them are dyed

It’s 1.7ct. I don’t know the origin, I just now asked and will hopefully find out soon.

 

[T L]

Way overpriced. That kind of material sells for $15/ct at gem shows in small sizes like that.

 

[FL_Sol]

He said it is from Mexico. I was thinking it was over priced. Thank you.

 

[T L]

He said it is from Mexico. I was thinking it was over priced. Thank you.

I don’t see much color play or the neon orange glow that Mexican fire opals of fine quality display.

 

[LilAlex]

Why only side views?

 

[Anne111]

It's not fair to compare a price from a wholesale event where you pay $500 airticket and 100/hotel to something coming home to you. However, it would like more play-of-color for 200.

 

[FL_Sol]

It's not fair to compare a price from a wholesale event where you pay $500 airticket and 100/hotel to something coming home to you. However, it would like more play-of-color for 200.

I agree. I would certainly pay more than the wholesale price.
I think TL was just using it as an example of how cheap the material was, not how much I should pay for it.

Since the play of color seems a bit slack, and that is why I worried, I will keep looking.

Thank you all. I will keep looking.

 

[T L]

It's not fair to compare a price from a wholesale event where you pay $500 airticket and 100/hotel to something coming home to you. However, it would like more play-of-color for 200.

I’m talking about non wholesale jewelry shows that are $5 a ticket like intergem. I think you can even do much better on Etsy.

 

[Stevie G]

Hi all.
am SO new to the colored gem world that I have almost no idea what I am doing.
I bought one small beautiful spinel and then purchased a sunstone which was a quite a bit of a dud.
I am looking for an opal and need help. I found this one but can’t tell if it is worth $200 shipped? What do you all think?
I know it is pretty transparent but I kink of like the pink hue.

I bought an opal recently and needed advice etc...I found a guy at msopalworld.com....he was extremely knowledgeable and has fine quality opals for sale. I would highly recommend speaking with him for guidance at least. Their email is [email protected]

 

[Bron357]

There’s a few types of opal. The main ones are Australia opal (whether black, crystal, Boulder etc) and Ethiopian or Welo opals.
Ethiopian opals are the more translucent type, they are a hydrophane type and contain more water. If submerged in water they actually lose their colour play, it comes back as the opal dries.
I’m careful with Ethiopian opals around perfumes / lotions. I suspect that if these get inadvertently into the opal it will affect it.
Australia opal, as a solid, is more expensive but you can buy doublet opals with are a slice of opal made “thicker” by adding a backing. Triplets are the lowest level, an even thinner piece of opal with a backing AND a crystal or plastic dome over the top, avoid triplets.

 

[Stevie G]

There’s a few types of opal. The main ones are Australia opal (whether black, crystal, Boulder etc) and Ethiopian or Welo opals.
Ethiopian opals are the more translucent type, they are a hydrophane type and contain more water. If submerged in water they actually lose their colour play, it comes back as the opal dries.
I’m careful with Ethiopian opals around perfumes / lotions. I suspect that if these get inadvertently into the opal it will affect it.
Australia opal, as a solid, is more expensive but you can buy doublet opals with are a slice of opal made “thicker” by adding a backing. Triplets are the lowest level, an even thinner piece of opal with a backing AND a crystal or plastic dome over the top, avoid triplets.

I've had jewellers refuse to work with Ethiopian opal

 

[jordyonbass]

Why only side views?

My guess would be the colour is directional and only shows from certain angles with the facing-up view of the dome probably being quite dull.

 

[Bron357]

I've had jewellers refuse to work with Ethiopian opal

I think opal as a rule requires more care when setting (as does tanzanite) and jewellers don’t like the risk. You also can’t “pickle” opal or use high heat near it so you need a laser jewellers torch.

 

[Renogade911]

Hi guys, I’ve recently taken up “opal’ing” and have made it a hobby, and I’ve finished an boulder opal specimen, after cutting it down, shaving and polishing, but I’m wondering what this is worth. I know a bit about opals, but the value of them, still eludes me a bit.

It is the size of a clenched fist.
It’s wraps from side to the other.


please let me know what you think of what the value (a ballpark) is for this.

thank you