1/4/2024 0 Comments Opal engagement ringIt depends on the intensity of the play of color and level of transparency.Īll in all, like with all precious and semi-precious gemstones, there is a wide range of prices. High quality fire opals can fetch anywhere from $50-$10,000 per carat. White opals typically range from $20-$200, but they can be much higher depending on the quality of the stone and size.Īs for fire opals, they can fetch a very high price. High-quality black opals are very rare and will cost significantly more than the aforementioned range for dark opals. However, as the opal becomes bigger, such as the 5-10 carat range, the price per carat jumps significantly due to scarcity. Black and dark body tones are generally the most valuable because they tend to display colors much more vibrantly.ĭark opals can range from $30 to $1,500 per carat. Body tones range from black to dark to light. It refers to the underlying color of the opal (background color). They are often found in Mexico and form in the depths of ancient volcanoes.īody tone is among the top factor when pricing opals. Fire opals can be translucent, unlike other precious opals. They can display a play of color like other precious opals, but they are often absent of a noticeable play of color. Australia is the only known place where they are found.įire opals are bright yellow, bright orange or bright red, hence their name. True black opals are the rarest and most valuable. Because of their dark nature, they display their “play of color” in a much more vibrant way than white opals. They can have a black, dark grey, light grey, dark blue, light blue, or green background color. They are the most commonly found bodycolor for precious opals.īlack opals, or dark opals, have a dark body color. White opals, or light opals, are white, yellow or creamy colored. However, the one’s most sought after for jewelry are white, black, and fire opals. It is a delicate stone measuring 5.5-6.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.įor reference, diamonds are a 10, sapphires are 9, and pearls are 2.5-4.5.Īs such, opals require a little more delicacy and care if you want to avoid scratches or chips. So, while the opal is unbelievably beautiful and a popular gemstone for jewelry, it is not extremely hard. This helps you understand the gems durability. Mohs Hardness ScaleĪll precious and semi-precious gemstones are measured on the Mohs Hardness Scale. For example, Ethiopian opals are white and have an absolutely amazing play of spectral colors, Australian opals have darker opaqueness, often with majestic blue and green iridescence, and Mexican opals are usually a fiery transparent orange (fire opals are the only kind of translucent opal, in fact). Each location produces opals of a unique variety. The rest are found in Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, and USA, among other countries. Precious opals are found across the globe. Unlike common opals, which can sometimes be attractive in their own right, precious opals display a magnificent play of color and they are much rarer. Precious opals are a type of semi-precious gemstone and what jewelers use when crafting fine jewelry. There are two main classes of opals: precious and common opals. Opals are made up of tiny silica spheres, which form when silica-rich water seeps into cracks and voids in the Earth’s crust. They can form in the fissures of almost any kind of rock, but they are most commonly found in sandstone, marl, limonite, basalt, and rhyolite rocks. Opals are classified as a mineraloid due to its amorphous character. These are all available now at Diamonds By Raymond Lee in Boca Raton. If any of these rings sparks your interest, please contact us for pricing. However, they can be worn on either hand and any finger you please. The featured opal rings are considered “right hand rings”. On that note, here is everything you ought to know about opals and opal rings… Because of the opals stunningly distinctive beauty and long history of desirability, they are the perfect semi-precious gemstone for a ring. Opals can be milky white, fiery red or a variety of dark-tones, all with a kaleidoscope or swirl of glowing, vibrant hues. The only commonality is that all gem-quality opals have an iridescent “play-of-color”. Unlike other gemstones, opals have a very wide range of color characteristics. Opals are one of the most unique gemstones in the world.
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