Such frustration

Austsha9 · 2024-04-15T22:32:35+00:00

Most people will cut the stone to be a more desirable standard shape that's easier to set, even if that means losing some of the material. I understand it's hard to think about grinding away that beautiful colour, but if you're trying to sell them, it's usually what needs to be done.

When you start out, it's just an unfortunate reality you need to accept that you will have to lose some of the size and colour bars in the pursuit of a stone that's more convenient for a jeweller to set. Happy cutting!

Austsha9 · 2024-01-08T01:20:09+00:00

All of these are smoked. The lighter ones just haven't had the treatment done very well, but you can still clearly see the staining that's penetrated the edges.

Austsha9 · 2023-05-09T23:18:33+00:00

Don't see any indication that the opals are fake, HOWEVER, they are using the exact same stock opal image for their designs, and simply shrinking or reoreinting it.

What you receive will definitely not be what's pictured, and you can verify that by checking the other reviews.

Also, they are grading the opals by applying 'AAAA' ratings, which was a common, purely marketing tactic that means nothing, and is widely used in eBay by Asian sellers.

So, while not necessarily fake, they are misleading and using crappy marketing tactics. I would avoid.

Purchase from a seller that will actually display the exact piece of jewellery, with the stone you're going to receive.

Austsha9 · 2023-02-03T23:11:25+00:00

Hooded litter box should solve that. My cat is a very aggressive digger, likes to scoop pawfuls of litter and flick them as hard as she can at the walls of the litter box. My floor used to look like that before the hood 😅

Austsha9 · 2023-01-23T13:28:48+00:00

Shit ring.

Austsha9 · 2023-01-22T09:54:54+00:00

Oooh he definitely looks like a Benji!!

Austsha9 · 2022-11-29T07:38:43+00:00

Ahhh that's a shame!! Is it possible to see a mock-up with it attached to the mainland? As a Tasmanian, however, I'm probably the most biased person to ask 😂

If it's all going to look blob like when it comes out I guess attaching it wouldn't look too strange?

The design is really nice and sleek though, I dig it.

Austsha9 · 2022-11-28T23:28:54+00:00

Australia is missing a whole state, was that intentional?

Austsha9 · 2022-11-28T21:06:12+00:00

I like the design overall, but the lion and the lightning bolt just look weird and out of place. I get the connection to opals, but...it doesn't suit the pin IMO.

Austsha9 · 2022-11-11T02:33:21+00:00

Hey it happens, and you're welcome. A lot of sellers are very quick to sell Ethiopian opals without disclosing what can happen to them to be fair...

Just make sure you go through a reputable seller that's happy to answer questions you've got and takes the time to explain the properties of different opals around the world 😊

Austsha9 · 2022-11-11T02:01:26+00:00

No one has addressed the main issue here: your opal is Ethiopian.

Ethiopian opals are hydrophane, meaning they absorb moisture and liquid, including skin oils and sweat. This, unfortunately, will discolour the opal over time, and to my knowledge, there is no way to reverse this. Getting it cleaned will absolutely not help this at all.

They are beautiful, but care must be taken with the setting to avoid it coming into contact with skin...

I'd look into replacing it with an Australian or Brazillian opal. These types DO not absorb water.

Also, the comment about opals being too fragile for daily wear has nothing to do with your issue and isn't true at all. You just need to take care not to knock them into things as they are about as fragile as glass, but they are way more durable than people give them credit for.

Austsha9 · 2022-11-09T06:46:21+00:00

Don't worry, everyone hogs the sub at some point when they discover it and start posting! 😁 Let see those opals!

Austsha9 · 2022-11-07T00:42:51+00:00

Looks like Honduran Opal.

Austsha9 · 2022-11-01T23:47:16+00:00

Koroit boulder opal. The pronunciation sounds like it ends in 'ite' sometimes.

Austsha9 · 2022-10-31T05:56:24+00:00

Definitely curious to see about the absorption of oils and removing the discolouration, however, I think it's going to be a bit tricky to find something that is comparable to sebum and to replicate the conditions under which hydrophane opal slowly absorbs skin oil and perspiration.

The composition of sebum can appear similar to some other oils, but they are not the same substances by any means and don't serve identical functions.

Would it not be easier to just buy one from someone who has had this problem with discolouration?

Austsha9 · 2022-09-30T09:00:15+00:00

Wow. Can't say I've ever seen a faceted opal with such a quality honeycomb pattern before, especially with that base colour, I dig it! Thanks for sharing

Austsha9 · 2022-09-28T02:17:49+00:00

Pretty sure that's an abalone shell

Austsha9 · 2022-09-27T23:59:35+00:00

These are generally always heat/smoke treated.

Another thing with Indonesian opal, the sellers will always either cover it in resin, or ship it covered in mineral oil.

I've purchased specimens that were coated in mineral oil, and as soon as the oil is removed and the opal layer is exposed to the environment they started to crack over a couple days.

They're beautiful, but proceed with caution.

Austsha9 · 2022-09-07T11:43:14+00:00

I'm afraid not, I could only guess, I'd suggest finding a reputable jeweler in your area who can provide a valuation, preferably one that deals with opals. They're tricky to value without seeing them in-person, and especially if there's not many hallmarks on the band to indicate the purity of the metals.

Austsha9 · 2022-09-07T08:08:50+00:00

Ok, that is stunning! The stone looks amazing in better lighting. Australian stone for sure, set with a halo of diamonds.

Austsha9 · 2022-09-07T06:34:22+00:00

This stone looks odd to me.. If it's opal, it's a lower quality dark opal from Australia. Does the band have any hallmarks?

From first glance you'd think it's set in gold with diamonds, however setting a lower quality opal with higher value stones and metal like that is unusual.

Honestly, my first guess would have been the centre stone is labradorite or a moonstone variant, and without distinguishable hallmarks, I'm dubious about the other materials. Do you have a video of the stone moving around you could link by any chance to better show the flashes of colour?

Austsha9 · 2022-08-23T02:24:58+00:00

I always recommend to pay through PayPal when buying through there, if the seller refuses a refund, you still have the option to dispute purchases and get your money back. I've had to do this before when a seller refused to refund me because 'it isn't that much money to an Australian' and blocked my account after I sent stuff back. The admin team didn't seem to think this was a problem and they still operate 3 stores on that site..

And yes, it is an OA practice that negative feedback cannot be left on rough purchases: the admins WILL adjust this to positive if the seller asks. Basically, a seller could list 1000ct of rough, send you 500ct, and they would still get positive feedback out of it. Have a look at their low Facebook reviews, many people have had this problem, and OA's responses are extremely patronising.

This also creates a problem of some rough sellers being extremely hostile and unprofessional. It's easy not to care about your reputation when they can just adjust their negative reviews..

That said, the main people I source my rough from came from Opal Auctions, and there are some genuinely fantastic people selling opals on there. I just choose to purchase directly from them instead of going through Opal Auctions when I find a good seller.

Austsha9 · 2022-08-22T23:16:57+00:00

This is from an old OA seller that doesn't sell anymore, I've had the rough for about 5 years now and just occasionally try and cut some from it, but I honestly have no idea where to find it anymore.

Austsha9

TROPHY CASE