Factors and Colors to Choosing an Australian Opal Engagement Ring

One of the most exciting decisions a young couple will make is choosing an engagement ring. For many people, the uniqueness of the style and stone is essential. Unlike diamonds, no two opals are alike. Despite their fragility compared to many other popular gems, the color play of opal is still amazing and appealing to many customers. Custom handmade jewelry should be considered by couples who want to commemorate their unique love story.

 There are some advantages to selecting an opal engagement ring. The cost of an opal is less than that of a diamond, emerald, ruby, or sapphire. Because opals have a lower specific gravity or density than these other gemstones, you can get a much larger ring stone for the same carat weight.

 

There are numerous types of opal, with prices varying greatly depending on the variety, color, and quality. The following are the most popular ring stone choices.

 

Black Opals

Black opals are the most valuable, with darker backgrounds (mostly black or blue) and a wide range of vivid colors. Because of the darkened background, black opals typically have more vibrant colors, and the price reflects this clarity. The price of a high-quality stone can range between thousands and tens of thousands of dollars per carat.

 

Crystal Opals

Crystal opals are the second-most expensive variety, ranging from transparent to semi-transparent. They usually have a milky white color and bright rainbow specks scattered throughout the stone. These handmade opal rings can cost anywhere from a few hundred to thousands.

 

White Opals

White opals are especially popular in countries such as the United States, where they account for most commercial sales. These stones frequently have a translucent appearance, with milky white, grey, or pale-yellow backgrounds. A good-quality white opal can cost several hundred dollars, which is to be expected for such a gem.

 

Boulder Opals

Boulder opal is extracted while the host ironstone or sandstone remains attached. This not only strengthens the opal, which is often extremely thin but also allows for vibrancy in color similar to that found in black opals. Boulder opals also come in unusual and irregular sizes, making the jewelry that contains them truly one-of-a-kind.

 

Fire Opals

Fire opals are prized for their stunning orange, yellow, and red hues and backgrounds. The most valuable specimens have a bright, fiery red or orange hue and consistent color. The milkiness within such a gemstone indicates that the stone is drying out and on the verge of cracking. While fire opals frequently lack the color play seen in 14k opal rings, consumers still value them for their beautiful hues. These gemstones are frequently priced in the tens to low hundreds of dollars per carat.

 

Quality Factors for Opal Engagement Ring Stones

Opals have a distinct grading system and terminology that is used during appraisals. Such terminology is important to remember when looking for engagement rings because it can help you gain a better understanding of your jewelry as a whole. Keep these characteristics in mind when shopping online.

 

Play of Color

Look for opal with evenly distributed colors throughout the stone. The most valuable pattern is the harlequin play-of-color pattern. It comprises a patchwork of diamond-shaped flashes that span the entire stone. Large diamond shapes should be used. Pinfire, a series of bright, colorful dots, is frequently seen in white opals. Furthermore, any color-play pattern that includes red is highly valued.

 

Shape Appeal

Choose an opal engagement ring stone with a pleasing shape. Because most opals are cut into cabochons, the stone should be symmetrical and have a smooth, full dome. The dome enhances the color and fire of the stone, especially in paler opals, and creates a more harmonious appearance. As a result, unless the stone has been cut into a sugarloaf shape, make sure the dome isn't dented or pointed.

 

Thickness

Thinner stones, particularly white or crystal opals, may appear see-through if the fire cannot reflect light into the viewer's eyes. When you put an Australian opal ring on your hand, the body color or play of color should be strong enough that the wearer's skin color isn't easily visible through the stone.

 

Avoid Cloudy Opals

Cloudiness can indicate that a stone is dry and on the verge of cracking. Stones from a known source of opals with high water content may crack or craze. We will do everything we can to remove this type of stone and protect our customer's interests.