Opal jewellery is a simply stunning addition to any woman’s jewellery box. From earrings and necklaces to rings and bracelets, these pretty stones can be worn in a variety of ways to really make an outfit pop. Before shopping for
opals Jewellery, however, there are a few things that you should know to ensure that you’re making the right choice for your “look”.
Base Colour
When experts assess an opal they start with its body colour (or overall base colour). The most valuable stone is one that displays its colour patterns the most dramatically; the darker the body colour, the more vivid it’s play of colour. Thus, black is more costly than white. Transparency, translucency and opaqueness (which can all affect the value too) are also looked at.
Specific Colours
The kind of colours (or hue mixture) that an opal displays is also important. Red is the most prized colour followed by orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. No matter what colour is at play, however, it must have an overall brilliance to be considered valuable. Red patterns in an otherwise dull stone, for example, will not cost the same as a bright one with run-of-the-mill colours.
Varieties
There are different opal varieties to choose from, including: black (which has a body colour from medium grey to black), boulder (which gets its name from the boulders of sandstone in which it is found), crystal (which has a body colour from light to dark), white (which is abundant in Australia thanks to our rich deposits), doublets and triplets (which are bonded to a backing).
Unmounted Stones
It is best to buy unmounted opals wherever possible, as this ensures that you can really see what you’re getting. Mountings are ideally designed to enhance the beauty and form of the stone, but they can also be used to mask flaws or to make the gem appear larger than it actually is. You would like to think that jewellers would not try to hoodwink you, but you never know.
Australia & Ethiopia
The most sought after opals in the world come from Australia. However, it has also recently been discovered in Ethiopia. This discovery has yielded dark and black varieties along with some white and crystal, creating a new market that is quickly growing. No matter where you intend to source them, expect to pay top dollar for the best stones from either country.
Care
At the end of the day, it is important to realise that opal jewellery does require some care. Once your stone has “crazed” (the name given to cracking), it has virtually no value. It’s essential that you don’t expose opal jewellery to severe temperatures or dramatic changes in temperature. Clean it regularly using warm soapy water (rinse in clean water).
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