Gemstone Appraisals Center

Opal Stone in Ring Question: can you tell me what i can do about an opal stone that is very dull.

Opal Identification & Value (Rocks, Minerals and Gemstones)

Price: $47.45 USD

i brought it on e-bay for 50 pounds and am dissapointed that it has no reflection.

Many thanks

Jane

Answer: G’day Jane and many thanks for your query.

Opal just has to be THE VERY BEST gemstone in the world - but is also one of the very hardest to understand.

I have been cutting opal for years and you never know what you are going to get out of every stone.

The body colour controls the classification (Black, White or Grey) but the flashes of colour (known as ‘Play-of-colour’) does not come through the gem, but reflects from minute platelets inside the stone.

Some of the opal layers showing colour are so thin, they can be cigarette paper in thickness, so one slight polish can have brilliant colour while a few seconds later - it is gone.

Your problem could come from wear over the years as tiny scratches may have dulled the surface (I’m assuming it is a solid gem and not a Doublet or Triplet) and the only way is to find a ‘Cutter’ to re-polish the gem for you. This can be quite expensive - or even impossible in certain countries as opal cutters are NOT available everywhere.

Apart from Australia (where the gem comes from) or China - who produce the best cutters - there is little chance of finding a cutter in Europe or Britain, for example.

Sometimes a hobbyist or a local Lapidary club may have someone who could help. Other than that - what about a refund from the seller?

You might also like to add this query to our Jewelry Forum where there are more ‘Experts’ to help you.
http://www.online-jewelry-appraisals.net/jewelry-forum/ as other may have had a similar problem.

Can’t hurt anyway and who knows what answers you may get.

Hope this helps…

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