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One of the most distinctive gemstones in existence is the opal. Opals have a much wider variety of color properties than other gemstones do. Opal color patterns differ from one another. The only thing all gem-quality opals have in common is an iridescent “play-of-color.” Opals can have a kaleidoscope or swirl of brilliant, vibrant colors and can be milky white, blazing red, or a range of dark tones. Opals are the ideal semi-precious gemstone for an earring due to their strikingly unique beauty and long history of desire.
Here is everything you need know about opals and opal earrings in light of that.
What Are Opals?
Opals are categorized as a mineraloid because of their amorphous nature. They can develop in practically any type of rock’s fissures, but sandstone, marl, limonite, basalt, and rhyolite are the most typical hosts. Small silica spheres, which make up opals, are created when silica-rich water seeps through holes and cracks in the Earth’s crust.
Opals can be divided into two categories: precious and ordinary opals. Jewelers employ semi-precious gemstones called precious opals to create excellent opal jewelry. Precious opals have a stunning play of color and are considerably rarer than common opals, which can occasionally be attractive on their own.
What Are Opal Earrings?
Your set of earrings will gleam mysteriously with iridescent opals. Opal earrings can be the focal point of your outfit or serve as an accent to a larger piece of jewelry because of their variety of colors, which range from midnight to ivory.
How Much is an Opal Earring Worth?
There was a time when opals couldn’t be found anywhere else but in the heart of Europe. They were so rare that only royalty and the wealthy could afford to wear them.
Typically, the price of a pair of opal earrings ranges from $149 to $1830. The ultimate price of the earrings could vary depending on a number of factors. Therefore, before making your final purchase, be sure to take into account each of the following factors.
Factors that Determine the Cost of Opal Earrings
What color opal is it? Is it a black opal, a white opal, a crystal opal, etc.?
Find out what percentage and what kind of play of color it has: Take into account the play-of-color, color’s dominating colors, color range, and pattern range as a percentage of the backdrop color.
Consider opal’s transparency: Is it translucent, transparent or opaque?
Identify the clarity of the opal: Check for the existence of pits, matrix, and other defects.
Analyze the cut of the opal: Think about the symmetry, thickness, polish, size, and calibration of the opal.
What metal is it? Strong and rare, platinum is the most expensive metal whereas silver is more affordable.
Color
Natural opals come in a lot of varieties. However, white, black, and fire opals are the most prized for jewelry.
White Opal
White, yellow, or creamy tinted opals are often known as light opals. They are the precious opal bodycolor that is most frequently encountered.
Black Opal
Opals with a dark body color are known as black or dark opals. They can have a background that is either black, dark grey, light grey, dark blue, light blue, or green. They exhibit their “play of color” in a far more vivid way than white opals do due to their darker nature. The most rare and expensive opals are true black opals. They have only ever been discovered in Australia. For additional information on black opal, please refer to our earlier post. Black Opal Necklace Buying Guide
Fire Opal
The name “fire opal” refers to the gemstone’s vivid hues of yellow, orange, or red. They can exhibit a play of color similar to other precious opals, however this is not always the case. Unlike other valuable opals, fire opals can have a transparent quality. They frequently occur in Mexico and originate deep within extinct volcanoes. For additional information on fire opal jewelry, please refer to this blog. Things You Need to Know About Fire Opal Rings
Boulder Opal
Boulder opal is an opaque to translucent opal with color play that is found inside a host rock. Within the host rock, there are tiny layers of opal (called matrix). The matrix remains after the opal is cut and becomes a part of the finished stone.
Crystal and Water Opal
Crystal opal has a clean background and is translucent to transparent. Excellent color play may be seen in this kind of opal. Play of colors may or may not be visible in water opal. If there is any play of color at all, it is very subtle and restricted to very small areas of the stone.
Play Of Color
The opal’s play of color is arguably the most eye-catching feature. In order to receive a high score, play-of-color must be extremely vibrant, regardless of the hue or color combination used. In other words, vivid play of color is more highly valued by opal enthusiasts than muted play of color.
The versatility of play-of-color is secondary to its strength. If an opal’s play of color is not only vivid, but also encompasses the entire spectrum, it is extremely rare and costly. However, not all valuable opals flash a kaleidoscope of colors. Sometimes the play-of-color will feature just one primary color alongside two or more secondary hues.
Wanted color variety is further subdivided by the hues used. Historically, red has been deemed the best dominant hue, followed by orange and finally green. However, color preferences might shift with the seasons or an individual’s mood.
The play of color in an opal also shifts depending on the viewer’s position and the lighting conditions. Red, for instance, may predominate in one area of an opal cabochon, while blue may predominate in another.
Opals with strong play-of-color from all angles are among the most precious.
Pattern
Opal’s play-of-color is said to have a particular pattern due to the way the colors are arranged. Color play can take numerous shapes, much like clouds.
Some common names for color-play designs are:
Pinfire or pinpoint: Small, closely set patches of color
A harlequin pattern or a mosaic: Broad, sharply-angled, closely-spaced patches of color
Flare: long, crimson streaks that race across the surface of the rock
Peacock: Mainly blue and green
Most experts agree that large, concentrated areas of color are more pleasing to the eye than smaller, more dispersed ones. Whatever the pattern, if the colors in the play of color are muted, the stone will not be worth much.
Pattern buyers must take into account extinction, often known as “dead areas,” in addition to the arrangement and shape of the play-of-color patches. A dead spot occurs when there is no color play in a gem and the background color dominates the visual experience. Opals lose value when they have dead patches, especially if there are several of them.
Opal Clarity And Transparency
Clarity, in terms of an opal, refers to the gem’s transparency and absence of flaws. There is a wide spectrum of transparency in opals, from totally see-through to totally opaque. The clarity of various opal varieties is valued differently by opal experts. Crystal opal, for instance, is admired for its transparency, whereas black opal is prized for its opaqueness. Each one is ideal for setting off the unique play of color seen in opals. Any opal’s worth is diminished by a cloudy or milky backdrop color. It lessens the gem’s allure and may be an indicator of instability.
There are numerous sorts of opal clarity features that determine value. Opals, like other stones, can have cracks, or pits and other surface imperfections. Occasionally, opals will have bits of the matrix, or host rock, within them. Matrix in a polished opal can be damaging to its appearance and value, however this is not always the case. It depends on the type of opal.
Opals can develop crazing, a fine network of cracks that looks like a spider’s web, if they dry out. Heat, dryness, and direct sunshine are all potential culprits in this loss of hydration. Never put opals on exhibit in a position where they will be subjected to these conditions, such as a window.
Opals that have been cracked are prone to breaking, and even if they don’t, the cracks reduce the gem’s value and make it unusable for jewelry. Producers and traders pick out opals that they think might eventually crack during quality control. Dealers that willingly buy mad opal do so because it commands a lower wholesale price than undamaged opal. This allows them to sell it to customers at a cheaper wholesale price.
Opal Cutting
When designing the finished gem, the cutter takes into account the color, pattern, and purity of the opal. Exceptional opals may not be cut to typical sizes and shapes, as is the case with many premium colored stones.
Even though the outcome is an irregularly proportioned gem, cutters frequently shape extraordinary rubies or sapphires, for instance, in a way that minimizes weight or increases color. Opal cutters often use a similar tactic, cutting only the best raw material to display the dazzling play of color.
To do this, cutters may shape fine opals into huge, asymmetrical forms that preserve as much color play as possible. These pricey unique gemsotnes are placed by designers into unique jewellery.
On the other hand, cutters frequently shape white opal of commercial quality and assembled opal into calibrated standard sizes, typically ovals.
A beautiful opal should have a symmetrical cut. Ideally, the dome of a cabochon would be well-rounded. The stone appears vibrant from various viewing angles and has the best color play on rounded surfaces. A flat cabochon may be more prone to breaking, especially when being set into jewelry. It could be challenging to set in jewelry if it’s too high.
Metals
The top 5 types of metal for earrings are:
sterling silver
white gold
yellow gold
rose gold
platinum
According to dermatologist Marchbein, platinum and stainless steel are the best metals for hypoallergenic jewelry because they have a tendency to be less reactive. For initial ear piercings, she adds, “they are also good options, along with plastic, which can lower the likelihood of developing ACD later on.”
You prefer gold earrings? When looking for the best hypoallergenic earrings, start with 14-karat gold. “The purer and less likely to trigger a reaction, the higher the karat. Although hypoallergenic, 24 karat gold is too soft for jewelry. Gold has other metals added to it to make it more durable. Both 14k and 18k gold are alloys, although 18k contains a higher proportion of pure gold. You might be able to wear 14k gold without getting a reaction depending on how sensitive your skin is to nickel as it only contains a little quantity of nickel. Try 18k if it irritates your skin; if that doesn’t work, try 24k or another hypoallergenic metal; if that doesn’t work either. One hypoallergenic gold alternative is rose gold. It is made of pure copper and gold, neither of which is likely to produce an allergic reaction.
According to celebrity aesthetician Natalie Aguilar, a dermatological nurse, tantalum is also hypoallergenic.
Black Opal Stud Earrings for Women
14K Yellow Gold Cushion Cut Created Black Opal Stud Earrings Real Black Opal Earrings
Earrings made of 14K yellow gold and cushion-cut synthetic opals by Peora. Rhodium has been applied to these authentic 14k yellow gold opal earrings to provide a touch of elegance. Our talented artisans have mastered a technique that boosts the earrings’ robustness, shine, and brilliance.
14K Yellow Gold Black Opal Earring Studs Australian Opal Stud Earrings
These classic Australian opal stud earrings made of 14K gold will catch your eye even from a distance. The gorgeous pinfire rainbow multi-colored flashes of the gemstones, which dance and shimmer in the light, make it a delight to possess and wear these earrings. A fundamental component of each jewelry line; traditional and enduring.
Sterling Silver Princess Cut 1.00 Cts Lab Created Black Opal Earrings
These princess-cut Peora-created Opal stud earrings are made of sterling silver. The genuine.925 sterling silver used to create these earrings has been lavishly coated in rhodium. A technique mastered by our artisans improves the earrings’ longevity, shine, and brilliance.
Sterling Silver Genuine Black Opal Earrings Heart Shaped Opal Stud Earrings
These Opal Heart Stud Earrings in Sterling Silver are a lovely accessory. These beautiful black synthetic opal heart-shaped earrings are ideal for those who prefer to dress in a more daring manner. Romance before has never been so dark and ominous.
Sterling Silver Black Opal Stud Earrings Australian Black Opal Earrings
These sterling silver stud earrings with Australian opal are sure to brighten your day with their brilliant splashes of color (among many other colors). You can’t help but notice these tiny, modest, yet sparkling Opal jewels.
Sterling Silver Black Opal Dangle Earrings Black Opal & CZ Butterfly Drop Earrings
These delicate CZ butterfly opal drop earrings in a silver tone will add sweetness to your look. It is made of silver-tone metal with a butterfly motif, decorated with clear black opals. They are approximately 1.5 inches long and 0.5 inches wide. To keep your earrings firmly in place, fasten with post backings. The weight of each earring is roughly 3.3g.
Questions and Answers
Where can you find opals?
Around the world, precious opals can be found. But 90% of them are from Australia. The remaining ones are located, among other places, in Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, and the United States. Opals of many varieties are produced in every area. For instance, Ethiopian opals are white with an incredibly stunning display of spectrum colors, those from Australia have a heavier opaqueness and frequently exhibit magnificent blue and green iridescence, and those from Mexico are typically a blazing transparent orange (fire opals are the only kind of translucent opal, in fact).
What distinguishes a precious opal from a regular opal?
The primary distinction between the two is that rare opals can exhibit a distinctive play of color, whilst ordinary opals cannot.
Are priceless opals rare?
Yes, remarkably so! Unbelievably, 95% of the opal supply in the world is classified as “common.” Additionally, the bulk of valuable opals are too thin to be fashioned, therefore the fine jewelry business hardly ever uses them.
Are opals durable?
Actually, no. The Mohs scale of mineral hardness rates materials from 5.5 to 6.5, while the opal is rated between 5.5 and 6.5, making it a soft gemstone.
How should an opal be cleaned the best?
The simplest approach to accomplish this is to lightly wipe the dirt from your gemstone using a soft cloth that has been dampened with lukewarm water. After finishing, let the stone dry naturally before storing it.
Note: Refrain from immersing your gem in hot water or leaving it next to a gas burner or other heat source.
How should an opal be kept?
Opals, like pearls, need moisture to keep their luster. Therefore, sealing your jewel with a moist piece of cotton wool is the ideal approach to conserve it for a long time.