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What do I do with an opal (assuming doublets)

RRfromR

Brilliant_Rock
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Nov 5, 2022
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I won an antique pendant/brooch with old cuts and the lot came with an opal pendant in 14k. I don't know anything about opals and I don't wear them, as in my culture they are for people who are born in October only. Do I send it to scrap or is there any value to it outside the gold? TIA! Sorry for my nails, I just repotted a jasmine
 

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It does look like it may be backed with tiger's eye (?). That's a new one for me! Personally, I would definitely try to sell it, as that should bring more $ than scrapping for gold. But if that is something you don't do, then I suppose the next best thing would be to scrap it, or even gift the piece, if you have no desire to keep it. Not bad for a "bonus" piece!
 
P.S. They do exist!



 
P.S. They do exist!




Oh yes, that's what the back looks like. It looks beautiful to me, maybe someone will enjoy it. My husband has an October birthday, but I'm not sure he's interested :lol: he does wear an opal Victorian pin with rose cuts at wedding because it's a present from me, that's the furtherest I can take him in the jewelry world.
 
Oh yes, that's what the back looks like. It looks beautiful to me, maybe someone will enjoy it. My husband has an October birthday, but I'm not sure he's interested :lol: he does wear an opal Victorian pin with rose cuts at wedding because it's a present from me, that's the furtherest I can take him in the jewelry world.

Interesting! I think the piece could 100% be unisex!! Maybe you have his birthday present? :geek2:
 
He's very boring lol. However, our 9 year old son saw all the male celebrities wearing brooches at events, and now he proudly wears a vintage rhinestone one when we go out for mother's day.

When I hear about younger generations, especially males, getting into gems and jewelry, it makes me giddy. He no doubt inherited his good tastes from you!
 
He's very boring lol. However, our 9 year old son saw all the male celebrities wearing brooches at events, and now he proudly wears a vintage rhinestone one when we go out for mother's day.

a 9 year old brooch lover makes my day
 
I won an antique pendant/brooch with old cuts and the lot came with an opal pendant in 14k. I don't know anything about opals and I don't wear them, as in my culture they are for people who are born in October only. Do I send it to scrap or is there any value to it outside the gold? TIA! Sorry for my nails, I just repotted a jasmine

too pretty to scrap
 
I won an antique pendant/brooch with old cuts and the lot came with an opal pendant in 14k. I don't know anything about opals and I don't wear them, as in my culture they are for people who are born in October only. Do I send it to scrap or is there any value to it outside the gold? TIA! Sorry for my nails, I just repotted a jasmine

Does the back open like a locket? What is the hook on the back for? Inquiring minds want to know, lol.
 
It does look like it may be backed with tiger's eye (?). That's a new one for me! Personally, I would definitely try to sell it, as that should bring more $ than scrapping for gold. But if that is something you don't do, then I suppose the next best thing would be to scrap it, or even gift the piece, if you have no desire to keep it. Not bad for a "bonus" piece!

It's not backed with tiger's eye, it would be ironstone which is the host rock of Queensland boulder opal and common for doublet opal :)
 
I won an antique pendant/brooch with old cuts and the lot came with an opal pendant in 14k. I don't know anything about opals and I don't wear them, as in my culture they are for people who are born in October only. Do I send it to scrap or is there any value to it outside the gold? TIA! Sorry for my nails, I just repotted a jasmine

Hi there, you could try to sell it - there are quite a few opal-focused Facebook groups where you could post it either for sale or for more information about it.
 
It's not backed with tiger's eye, it would be ironstone which is the host rock of Queensland boulder opal and common for doublet opal :)

I actually wrote the seller and they confirmed this! lol I was just coming back to update my response. Thank you!!
 
Thank you all, you are the best! @AusOpalQueen what kind of opal is this? @Catmom nope, just simple pendant with chunky gold.
 
Thank you all, you are the best! @AusOpalQueen what kind of opal is this? @Catmom nope, just simple pendant with chunky gold.

Hi it's a doublet opal with an ironstone backing (sometimes they use natural iron stone rock or black potch or a plastic. It's a beautiful doublet stone and doesn't looked cracked or chipped, you might have luck in the opal groups or even market place. Did they give you a valuation with it?
 
Does the back open like a locket? What is the hook on the back for? Inquiring minds want to know, lol.

It’s a pendant enhancer. You can open up the bale so as to put in over say a strand of pearls.
And no, definitely don’t scrap it. Put it up on eBay or even Loupe Troop, plenty of people would like to own that, me included.
 
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