Tell me about this opal, please

[nala]

Ok. So the last time I asked about an opal in this forum, I scored big. I think I learned a little but would like reassurance. Based on the back of this opal, can you tell if it’s natural or a doublet?

 

[nala]

So based on this backing, it could be a doublet?

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Ok. So the last time I asked about an opal in this forum, I scored big. I think I learned a little but would like reassurance. Based on the back of this opal, can you tell if it’s natural or a doublet?

while we are waiting for our opal experts ot chime in ...
i don't beleave you didn't show us it on your finger !

 

[nala]

while we are waiting for our opal experts ot chime in ...
i don't beleave you didn't show us it on your finger !

 

[Starstruck8]

I'm not at opal expert, but...

The back looks like 'black' potch, as it should. But you can't tell from this whether the stone is a doublet. You need to look at the edges (if they are not hidden in the setting), to see whether there is a clean straight join.

The light patches are not so clearly focused, but they look like 'sand'. This is a good sign - you would expect doublet backs to be clean. (But it could be a double bluff!) The setting looks solid and well made, which is also a good sign.

So, in my amateur view, the signs are good. Try to look at the edges. It's definitely worth showing to an expert in person.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

i knew it would be beautiful
fingers crossed for it

 

[dk168]

Concur about the signs are good that it is not a doublet, however, side views of the stone should confirm that, if it is at all possible to get a good side view of the stone.

The Opal displays a nice colour mix.

DK

 

[Bron357]

The easiest way to detect a doublet is to check the girdle. A doublet will have a perfectly even demarcation line between the opal and the backing and the opal section itself will be thin.
This opal looks like black opal and as such will often have potch as a backing. This can make it tricky to decide if it’s a natural backing or an “applied” backing. However if a natural black opal if you carefully examine the girdle you should see that the seperating line isn’t equal all the around the opal.
However it’s not unheard of people deliberately using natural potch as the backing to make it more difficult to detect.
Looking at the ring and the surrounding diamond halo I’d be inclined to believe it’s a solid opal not a doublet.

 

[nala]

I can’t make out the hallmark. Any ideas?

 

[nala]

The easiest way to detect a doublet is to check the girdle. A doublet will have a perfectly even demarcation line between the opal and the backing and the opal section itself will be thin.
This opal looks like black opal and as such will often have potch as a backing. This can make it tricky to decide if it’s a natural backing or an “applied” backing. However if a natural black opal if you carefully examine the girdle you should see that the seperating line isn’t equal all the around the opal.
However it’s not unheard of people deliberately using natural potch as the backing to make it more difficult to detect.
Looking at the ring and the surrounding diamond halo I’d be inclined to believe it’s a solid opal not a doublet.

The girdle.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

That looks like a solid opal to me.

 

[Bron357]

The girdle.

Yep, solid opal.
This is what a doublet looks like.

 

[nala]

Thank you all! Would this be considered a black opal?

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

No idea about anything useful but it’s gorgeous and I’m so jelly as you have some of the best finds!!!

 

[acaw2015]

I have no idea or advice to give, but it is absolutely gorgeous and I want one too!!

 

[Mooshi]

*faint* Whatever it is... I think you should buy it!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Thank you all! Would this be considered a black opal?

Yes! Nice one, too, You have the coveted red and great bright color play.
It's a lucky find.

 

[nala]

Yes! Nice one, too, You have the coveted red and great bright color play.
It's a lucky find.

Omg. Wow!!

 

[nala]

*faint* Whatever it is... I think you should buy it!

I did!

 

[nala]

Yes! Nice one, too, You have the coveted red and great bright color play.
It's a lucky find.

Maybe I will get it appraised or sent to GIA. My first question is how to store it. I have my other one in my bank vault but I plan to retrieve it immediately bc I read it might crack? I am so confused bc some google replies say the bank vault is safe and some say it is not.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

That's a good question, it looks like they say to store in a bag with some very lightly dampened(a few drops) cotton or dampening the bag slightly itself, then all in a plastic bag, for long term storage in a vault, especially if humidity controlled.

I was always told to put it in a soft/silk bag.
What they like best is to be worn!
From an opal seller:

How to Care For Opals | Learn About Opal Jewelry Care | Opal Cutters

Protect your Australian opals and opal jewellery with expert advice from Australia's top opal jewellers. Access our comprehensive opal care guide online here.

australianopalcutters.com

 

[dk168]

Thank you all! Would this be considered a black opal?

Yup, and a solid one too based on the photo of the girdle that you have posted.

Don't know how much the vendor is asking for, however, IMHO, it is nice Opal and setting. Nice find!

DK

 

[Bron357]

Australian Opals especially black opals are the most stable opals.
What opals hate is dry heat and rapid change in temperature, so storing in a jewel box out of direct sunlight in all they need.
To size a ring or work on prongs a jeweller needs to either remove the opal from the setting or use a laser and not a torch.
Black opals are assessed on the tone of their background, the darker the better, and their colourplay. The higher the % of colourplay in a static position the better. The colours seen affect value. The higher the % of red the better. The least valuable colours are blue and green. On top of that some colour plays have names. The top pattern is called harlequin and is very rare.
A black opal over 5 carats, N1 (the darkest) with an 80% plus static colourplay predominantly red and in a desired pattern, as much as $30,000 a carat.
My ring is semi crystal opal but has a high % of colourplay in a static position.

 

[jordyonbass]

Thank you all! Would this be considered a black opal?

While it can be a little hard to tell from a picture, it looks like it would most likely fall within an N3-N4 body tone rating which would make it a Black Opal. It's a very lovely stone you've got there Nala!