How to Buy Opal Ring and Opal Jewelry?

May 28, 2011-

Opal stone is the non crystalline form of silica mineral that is formed from the amorphous "balls" or "lumps" of silica. Water containing dissolved silica seeps through sand and dirt and let the silica particles deposit in the cracks. Only silica particles left behind after the evaporation of water. This leads to the formation of opal stone. Although it is a great stone and so does the opal ring but the major disadvantage of this stone is that it is very soft as compare to diamond as opal stone is scaled between 5-6 for hardness on Mohs scale where as diamond is 10 on that scale.

Before buying an opal stone you must be fully educated on how to buy opal stone, opal ring and its jewelry.

Doublet and Triplet Opal Stone

Doublet and triplet opal ring consist of thin slices of opal that are backed by black backing. Such stones appear very dark and bright. Doublet and triplets have the advantage of being low priced but on the other hand may eventually destroyed.

Solid Opal – It is 100% stone and a real thing.

Types of Opal Stone

There are many different types of opal which are in the market today. These are:

Black Opal

Black opal stones are rare and so of high price. Also the black opal jewelry and black opal ring are associated with status and scarcity.

Boulder Opal

Boulder opal is not so well known semi precious stone. But if you look at the color then it is as attractive as the color of black opal. Boulder opal stone is given ironstone backing and so its price is highly less per carat. Boulder stones are very hardy stones.

White Opals

White opals are milky white stones that are very common. In this tone the color becomes less bright.

Crystal Opals

Crystal opals are the translucent and transparent quality of opal stone.

Know more about opal stone types.

How to Buy an Opal Stone Ring?

Opal Ring Should go with Your Personality

Picking the stone and its color is actually the personal choice. You may like red but a friend of your may go for the black opal. Hence pick the opal stone ring that appeals you the most.

Consider the Shape

Shape is an important factor to be considered while buying the opal ring. Stone settings will change with the quality and shape you have selected. For high quality stones the settings are very high.

Stone's Brilliance

More the brilliance of the stone more will be the price. Even some of the opal rings in subdue brilliance are also equally attractive.

Check Whether the Stone is Authentic or not

Buy he opal ring that comes with Certificates of Authenticity. You must always ask for this certificate. This is good both from the insurance as well as re-sale vale.

Cracks and Faults

Opal stone has some natural inclusions. So buying the stone with inclusion is again a personal choice. But then there are stones with cracks and faults. You must not purchase any opal ring in which the stone has cracks. To find whether the stone has a crack or not, first of all dry the stone completely then hold it up against lamp or strong light and inspect it for any crack. Seller of opal stones must make you aware of the cracks as this aspect of giving information is obligatory.