How to Select an Opal Engagement Ring

 Do you have any plans of proposing to the woman whom you want to spend the forever with? Obviously, having your future wife state a resounding "yes" when you pop the question will bring excitement and joy to you, but seeing her eyes light up with your ring is even better. Your proposal is the start of your eternity with her, and it needs a lot of preparation: the romantic place, the unique way of asking her to be your wife and of course, the most important object which discreetly announces that she is your fiancé: the opal engagement ring.

Today's engagement ring is not limited to the common diamond only. With all the creative jewelers worldwide and with all the gemstones coming from different sides of the globe, one can choose from a huge collection of rings in different hues and designs. Why be cliche when you can stand out with the purchase of an amazing gemstone. Australian opal engagement rings are the best choice since the gemstone itself is crafted in the country where the best Opals originated: Australia. But since these rings are sold at a high price, many low quality varieties are available in shops that are very deceiving, only skilled jewelers can recognize their ingenuity.

How do experts recognize the difference between precious and semi-precious Australian opal engagement rings? Here are the two categories that will guide you in choosing the ring your beloved will be flaunting to her friends:

- Radiance- When you look at the gemstone in different angles, you will be seeing several shining colors too, even though the stone is solidly black in color. This is just one of the characteristics that differentiate Opals from the rest of the stones, as the hues of this jewel are simply mesmerizing. If an Australian Opal doesn't reflect a lot of colors, it doesn't mean that it is not authentic. One should look closely if the sparkle is vibrant and if the stone is sandwiched to a base stone or another jewel as it may be a doublet or triplet. A buyer must examine an Opal under a bright light.

- Weight- Opals, like Diamonds, are also measured in karats. The higher the karat value, the more expensive the stone is. Try to weigh the jewel with your own hand to see if the stone is heavier enough to be considered real.

The radiance and the weight of the Opal dictate its price in the market. But do not be fooled if an engagement ring is expensive since sometimes, the price does not connote the quality of the product itself. Consider these tips in buying your rings of engagement:

- Buy from a trusted jeweler. Yes, this may mean an expensive jewelry too, but come to think of it, a shop which already established its name in the jewelry industry have gained the conviction of numerous clients through the years. Besides, these shops have ascertained good rapport with its customers; they will guide you in opting for the jewelry of your choice. Remember: shops which offer precious and semi-precious stones of superior quality to their patrons are the ones which last in this kind of business. When selecting opals try to find jewelers that purchase their stones directly from Australia. This means that you get the best gemstone (from Australia) without too many middlemen marking up the price.

- Reflect on store hopping. In order to purchase the ring of your preference, you should not settle on one trusted store only. Think of browsing through the catalogs of all the shops you have found, and choose your favorites on their collection. In this way, you will avoid the regret of buying the ring with better design and color.

What are you waiting for? Go ahead and shop for Australian opal engagement rings. You are sure to see those pearly whites flash behind those luscious lips after presenting an opal engagement ring. If your planning your bride celebrates an October birthday, an opal engagement ring will suit her even better as opal is the October birthstone.

Shop Now:https://australianopaldirect.com/rings/opal-wedding-rings-opal-engagement-rings/

Diamonds Are Not The Only Option For Women's Wedding Rings

 One of the curious things is that, women have forever loved Opal Wedding Rings the most. But that trend is changing nowadays and is most apparent today, in the world of wedding rings. Thankfully, people today are much more open to new trends.

Opal, the one jewel which has been ignored for years by people deciding to settle down, the one jewel, the reputation of which has suffered since the Victorian times is back in the wedding market for good. And you won't believe what the reason for its unfortunate decline in popularity was. It was the death of a fictional character in a Victorian novel!

Mercifully, those times of supreme ignorance have passed. But, it is a popular belief, even today, that the earlier the times, the more ridiculous the beliefs. Ironically, in the Middle Ages, which was much before the Victorian period, the opal was considered a blessing to have. Even in those times, people understood the various aspects of marriage. They believed that, the different colours seen in an opal reflected the different nuances of married life. It was also believed that, the various colours of the opal represented the various characteristics attributed to the zodiac signs.

Australia is renowned internationally for its exports of gold, opals and sapphires. It produces more than 90% of the world's opals. Coober Pedy, Lightening Ridge, Quilpie are only a few mines that are responsible for this humongous production. Therefore, it is only natural, that in Australia, women's wedding rings are increasingly being made of opals. And not just women, men are even more interested in such jewels than ever before. More so, because they can make a good business out of it by selling them to the women! Jokes apart, men have become more fashion conscious and are thus, experimenting more. They have become increasingly accepting of the idea of metro-sexuality.

Talking of opals, these beauties can be of different types. As opals are made of silica and water, they are generally quite soft. But certain opals can naturally be quite hard. These are the much older ones.

The black opals comprise of a small fraction of the total production of opals because of their lesser availability. The Lightening Ridge mines of New South Wales in Australia produce them. You can search for images on the internet for the black opal. You will see and recognise the fact that, black opals can be breathtakingly beautiful. Those which exude a navy bluish colour amidst all the blackness, give the impression of being some charmed object. The more you look at it, the more you cannot help but peer into it, as if you want to get lost in its mysterious beauty.

Not bad for a wedding ring at all. Given, how you too would want your spouse to remain enamoured of your charms for life, mysterious or otherwise.

Shop Now:https://australianopaldirect.com/rings/opal-wedding-rings-opal-engagement-rings/

How to Select an Opal Engagement Ring

 Do you have any plans of proposing to the woman whom you want to spend the forever with? Obviously, having your future wife state a resounding "yes" when you pop the question will bring excitement and joy to you, but seeing her eyes light up with your ring is even better. Your proposal is the start of your eternity with her, and it needs a lot of preparation: the romantic place, the unique way of asking her to be your wife and of course, the most important object which discreetly announces that she is your fiancé: the Opal Engagement Ring.

Today's engagement ring is not limited to the common diamond only. With all the creative jewelers worldwide and with all the gemstones coming from different sides of the globe, one can choose from a huge collection of rings in different hues and designs. Why be cliche when you can stand out with the purchase of an amazing gemstone. Australian opal engagement rings are the best choice since the gemstone itself is crafted in the country where the best Opals originated: Australia. But since these rings are sold at a high price, many low quality varieties are available in shops that are very deceiving, only skilled jewelers can recognize their ingenuity.

How do experts recognize the difference between precious and semi-precious Australian opal engagement rings? Here are the two categories that will guide you in choosing the ring your beloved will be flaunting to her friends:

- Radiance- When you look at the gemstone in different angles, you will be seeing several shining colors too, even though the stone is solidly black in color. This is just one of the characteristics that differentiate Opals from the rest of the stones, as the hues of this jewel are simply mesmerizing. If an Australian Opal doesn't reflect a lot of colors, it doesn't mean that it is not authentic. One should look closely if the sparkle is vibrant and if the stone is sandwiched to a base stone or another jewel as it may be a doublet or triplet. A buyer must examine an Opal under a bright light.

- Weight- Opals, like Diamonds, are also measured in karats. The higher the karat value, the more expensive the stone is. Try to weigh the jewel with your own hand to see if the stone is heavier enough to be considered real.

The radiance and the weight of the Opal dictate its price in the market. But do not be fooled if an engagement ring is expensive since sometimes, the price does not connote the quality of the product itself. Consider these tips in buying your rings of engagement:

- Buy from a trusted jeweler. Yes, this may mean an expensive jewelry too, but come to think of it, a shop which already established its name in the jewelry industry have gained the conviction of numerous clients through the years. Besides, these shops have ascertained good rapport with its customers; they will guide you in opting for the jewelry of your choice. Remember: shops which offer precious and semi-precious stones of superior quality to their patrons are the ones which last in this kind of business. When selecting opals try to find jewelers that purchase their stones directly from Australia. This means that you get the best gemstone (from Australia) without too many middlemen marking up the price.

- Reflect on store hopping. In order to purchase the ring of your preference, you should not settle on one trusted store only. Think of browsing through the catalogs of all the shops you have found, and choose your favorites on their collection. In this way, you will avoid the regret of buying the ring with better design and color.

What are you waiting for? Go ahead and shop for Australian opal engagement rings. You are sure to see those pearly whites flash behind those luscious lips after presenting an opal engagement ring. If your planning your bride celebrates an October birthday, an opal engagement ring will suit her even better as opal is the October birthstone.

Shop Now:https://australianopaldirect.com/rings/opal-wedding-rings-opal-engagement-rings/

The Beauty of an Opal Bracelet

 A day stunning and value to addition to any respectable collection of jewelry is an opal bracelet. Opals are incredibly colorful, but you must know how to properly care for them if you want to maintain that stunning beauty. There are many things to remember about the opal bracelet.

Opals are varied unique because they are cut in a different fashion and other precious gems. When opals are mined, the miners themselves take extraordinary care when handling the beautiful stones. This adds their beauty and their value.

The stones of an opal bracelet are both vibrant and radiant in their color, with a different sort of color combination if they are black opals or white opals. Either the opal is do fantastic things when playing off the light. The color itself radiates from moisture that is trapped within the stone.

The stones of an opal bracelet are polished in such a way that they do do not usually crack for their protection. It for some tragic reason they were to contact the color would slowly fade right out of them and your bracelet with the will no longer.

An opal bracelet can have as few as one opal or as many as twenty, depending on the style and size. Remember to treat your opal with great care because they are rather fragile gems. You should limit your time for wearing an opal bracelet because even the natural oils from your skin can damage them. Wearing the opal bracelet for special occasions and the like is fine, as long as you do not forget you are wearing it.

Nor should they be immersed in any sort of liquids because that also tends to damage the opals. When you are finished wearing your opal bracelet for the evening, it is smart to let it air out and dry.

If the opal somehow does become dirty you want to clean it immediately. To take a toothbrush and cup of water to it might damage it, even though this method works well with other pieces of jewelry.

You also may want to look into specially produced jewelry cleaners that are made specifically to treat the precious gems that are contained in your opal bracelet. If you are worried about cleaning your bracelet, you might want to take it to a professional jewelry maker and ask them about cleaning your bracelet. This way you know it will be cleaned right, without damage done to your bracelet.

Using only a few steps, it is easy to care for your opal bracelet. As long as they remain flawless, you will have a beautiful and valuable heirloom to pass down for hundreds, if not thousands of years to come.

Shop Now:https://australianopaldirect.com/bracelets/

How To Find Authentic, But Inexpensive Opal Jewelry

 Opal jewelry or Opal Necklace as the British spell it, such as rings, pendants, necklaces make ideal fashion accessories for any occasion. Opals are found around the inland areas of Australia. Opals are a part of the cultural history of these regions. Many of the old opal mines are not producing anymore. Fields such as White Cliffs and Andamooka still have some coming out of the ground but not extensive. In recent times Lightning Ridge has also not produced like it used to. We are all waiting for a new field to be found.

Gold is the most common medium used to set opals in most parts of the world. There is a lot of experimentation with different metals and opals set in silver with rhodium coating (to prevent tarnishing) are gaining popularity by the day. The high price of gold is stimulating this trend because silver is much more economical.

Please note that the spelling of the word 'jewelry' varies between the USA and the UK, where it is spelt 'jewellery.' There is a lot of interesting information about the history of opals and ancient jewelry at this site. Please take a look at the blogs section to see what has been written, ask any questions and make some comments if you feel inclined.

Other articles in the Opal mine series have focused on how to tell if the opal itself is genuine so in this article we will take a look at the metal itself. Keep in mind that a Karat is a measure of the purity of gold. 24karat is pure gold. So each karat is one 24th. So 18 karat means the metal is 18 parts pure gold and 6 parts copper. You can work out the same percentages when referring to 9, 10, 12 or 14 karat gold.

You will need an eye glass to examine the small stamp usually on the inside of the shank of an opal ring, or somewhere else in the case of pendants, bracelets, and earrings.

· If the metal is stamped '925' it means that its sterling silver

· If its stamped 325 it means 9k gold, either white or yellow

· If the stamp is 585 it means 14k gold either white or yellow

· If the stamp is 750 it means 18k gold either white or yellow

Here are the full details of Gold and silver standards in carats and percentages of 1000

· 24 carat (999)

· 22 carat (916)

· 20 carat (833)

· 18 carat (750)

· 16 carat (625)

· 14 carat (585)

· 10 carat (417)

· 9 carat (375)

Opal Rings

Historically and in the fashion world, rings are by far the most popular form of jewelry and there is no exception to this in the opal industry. Design tastes vary from one person to the other and from one country to another. Some folks like intricate designs that feature the metal with the stone, and some prefer a very plain presentation that makes the opal stone itself stand out.

Opal Pendants are the next contender

It's easier to buy a pendant gift for someone than a ring because you don't have to worry about finger sizes.

Opal Necklaces are just variations of Pendants

They are often larger and more complex than pendants, often featuring many stones either strung along the necklace in the form of beads or hangers, or sometimes presented in clusters that hang much the same as a pendant. Opal necklaces and pendants are the most popular opal jewelry lines sold online for the purpose of gifts because unlike rings, they don't have to fit a particular finger.

Shop Now:https://australianopaldirect.com/necklaces/

Why 14k Gold Opal Earrings Are A Great Choice

 Whether you are shopping for a gift for the holidays, or you are just looking for a way to dress up an particular outfit, don't neglect the choices that are offered when you are looking for 14k gold opal earrings. If you are looking for a gemstone-metal combination that really pops, look no further than this unique combination. People have always loved the ever-changing, mercurial look of this gems, and of course gold has been a valuable commodity since time immemorial, but you'll find that ancient history aside, you'll always be able to get a great look out of this particular mix of bright colors and conservative setting.

This precious metal is an excellent choice when it comes to deciding what you want in an earring setting. The use of gold when you are speaking of earrings is a good one; although it is soft, people are less likely to have an allergy to it than to nickel. Many earring posts are made from a nickel alloy of some sort, causing people who are overly sensitive to get hives, and you'll find that using this valuable metal prevents this. Similarly, the use of 14k gold is a great choice because it tends to be firmer and less likely to get bent out of shape than that of 24k, which is purer. Just make sure that you know what has been used to alloy this material.

Opals, rather are than being a stone, exactly, are considered mineraloids; despite being quite solid, they have a high percentage of water in them, which results in them gaining a beautiful shine and a deep and vibrant variety of colors that can appear. You'll find that most of this stones are never faceted; they are usually cut into cabuchons and polished, lending them a uniquely sleek and perfectly smooth look which is highly prized. You can find opals in a wide variety of colors and often they are selected based on what colors they most often reflect. For instance, white opals are fairly white and opaque, while black opals and fire opals show offer a darker, yet no less brilliant spectrum. This gemstones are known for being delicate gems and do well when secured by a firm setting.

When you are looking for earrings, 14k gold opal earrings are a great choice. If you're looking for something somewhat innocent or charming, look into the white opal, whereas if you are looking for something that will pop a little more, check out what you can find in terms of fire opal. In any case, jewelry of this sort will always make a statement, so keep an eye out for the right pieces for your own collection.

Shop Now:https://australianopaldirect.com/earrings/

Finding the Perfect Opal Ring

 Opal rings have been famous throughout history for their amazing display of colors and brilliant patterns. Many cultures in the ancient world regarded them as luxurious charms of fortune and good tidings. Even to this day, opal rings are highly desired for their unique beauty and elegance. This kind of jewelry is perfect for gifts since each opal is natural, rare, and unique. If you're looking for one, you're bound to be curious as to how to find the one that's perfect for your needs, budget, and tastes. Here are a few things to keep in mind in your quest for a perfect opal ring.

Finding the perfect opal ring depends on finding a high quality stone to use as the centerpiece. Opals are graded on four primary attributes: their patterns, colors, shape, and clarity.

Each opal ring has its own distinct patterns of swirling colors hidden within the stone and released when exposed to light. While the particular pattern that looks best to you is up to your own tastes, there is one thing that you should be looking for regardless, and that is brilliance. High quality opal rings will have patterns that are bold, brilliant, and beautiful. If the pattern seems weak, the ring will not be as good as it could be.

Many people feel that the more colors there are represented in an opal ring, the better the jewelry is. This is not necessarily true, however. Many of the best models only show two colors, but show them strongly. If the person you intend to buy the opal ring for has a favorite color, try to make sure that this is represented both richly and boldly.

The best opal rings have centerpieces which are dome shaped. This provides much more brilliance than a flat cut stone. Flat cuts are better used as inlays to accentuate the center of the ring than as the centerpiece themselves.

The clarity of an opal ring is absolutely crucial. Small sand particles often get stuck in opal stones, and if they are big enough they can mar the surface or interior of the stone. This will absolutely ruin the overall aesthetic of the ring, and detract from its value.

The perfect opal ring will also have a fantastic setting. The most popular choices for this are gold and white gold. This depends on the colors of the opal, so it must be decided on a case by case basis. As a general rule of thumb, offsetting the color of the band material with the color of the opal will draw more attention to the ring, helping it to stand out and be noticed. For instance, it's more common to see black opal rings with white gold.

In the end, finding the perfect opal ring is all about perseverance and knowledge. Knowing how to choose a high quality opal will get you most of the way there, but you still need to put forth the effort to discover it. Don't lose heart, and never settle for anything short of perfection!

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On Buying Tuxedo Cufflinks

 Opal Cufflinks are popular accessories among men and women. They serve as decorative fasteners that connect the cuffs of a long-sleeved shirt. Cufflinks are extremely necessary when you're wearing a tuxedo shirt with French cuffs. Some people wear cufflinks everyday to work, while others chose to wear them on formal events like weddings, business meetings and corporate affairs.

Cufflinks are staple accessories for men who want to impress other people with the way they dress. However, not every man who wants to wear cufflinks knows how to wear them. This article will teach you the simple steps in wearing cufflinks.

Step 1: Purchase one pair of cufflinks online or from jewelry stores. If you are not sure of what colors to wear with your cufflinks, it is best to purchase cufflinks in classic colors. These can be worn with different colors of dress shirts and they can fit various events and functions. You can also opt for the basic onyx or opal inlays.

Step 2: Based on your skin tone and preference, choose whether you want to wear silver or gold cufflinks. These are basic cufflinks that can also match various colors and tones. There is no steadfast rule as to which between the two is more formal although most people believe that it is gold.

Step 3: Select a double-faced cufflinks for a more formal look. These have two similar faces that are linked together by a metal bar. You can also find double faced cufflinks that have chain as attachment mechanisms that have monograms or logos.

Step 4: If you want your cufflinks to match a specific outfit, bring your formal wear to the clothes store and ask the sales clerk to help you choose the perfect cufflinks for your wardrobe. Whenever possible, bring also the tuxedo jacket so that you will know how the cufflinks would affect your entire ensemble.

Step 5: For a more personal touch, opt for monogram or birthstone cufflinks. A high quality pair of monogram cufflinks, if cared for properly, can last for years and would serve more mileage than you actually expect.

Step 6: Cufflinks are also worn to express the personality and passion of the wearer. You can wear novelty cufflinks without worrying that you will be very flashy when you do so. Cufflinks are minute accessories and unlike ties, cannot overwhelm your entire wardrobe. Wear surfboard cufflinks if you love surfing and your favorite football team's logo if you are an avid fan. Just remember not to wear anything that can discriminate or offend other people.

Step 7: If you are proud with what you do, purchase cufflinks that is related to your profession. For instance, lawyers could pick a justice scale while doctors can wear cufflinks with stethoscope design. Again, choose something that is appropriate and not offending.

Step 8: Consider the weight of your cufflinks. Huge cufflinks can feel very heavy on small wrists. The size of your cufflinks should not overwhelm the size of your wrists.

Step 9: Choose cufflinks that have a locking mechanism to prevent it from falling off. Choose a mechanism that locks properly so that you will not lose your precious cufflinks.

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The Black Opals of Lightning Ridge

 Australia's Governor General, the Honourable Bill Hayden AC, named the opal black as Australia's national gemstone on 27th July 1993. Of all Australia's opal, black opal is the most exotic, treasured and looked for. Around 95% of world's supply come from Lightning Ridge in New South Wales or "The Ridge" as it is known locally.

I first travelled to "The Ridge" in 1999, it was a year of good rains and even in the summer the countryside appeared to have a green tinge. The road and surrounding plains are relentlessly flat marked occasionally with a distant farmhouse or shed. A contrast to later visits following eight years of drought meant that some children and dogs had grown up never knowing rain. Located 8 hours drive North West of Sydney near New South Wales border with Queensland, Lightning Ridge is less a ridge than an ever so slight rise of ground swelling out of Australia's wide brown plains. Sparsely vegetated with scruffy eucalyptus and native grasses, the entire area's covered with houses, camp sites and shanties. At night roaring portable generators power all the dwellings that are beyond the reach of the towns electricity supply.

The town is a decent size with paved roads and smart houses that decay at the fringes to the shanty town of the surrounding mine sites. The population officially is around 1,000 people although the membership at a local bowls club boasts more than 2,400. No one can really say how many souls inhabit the local area but the black opal attracts people from all over the world to live and dig for the luminescent gems.

In my many visits I have met an aging ex showgirl from Paris, investment bankers, politicians and even the make-up artist who looked after Elizabeth Taylor in some of her biggest films like Ben Hur and Cleopatra. Fortune has favoured many black opal seekers, others have found solace and friendship in the outback community and have never left. This town in many ways is still a frontier of sorts, hellishly hot in summer and subject to flooding of the nearby river at times. The swarms of flood mosquitoes can on occasions be so intense it is almost impossible to see and breathe if you venture outdoors unprotected.

There are many rather unique sights and places to visit in "The Ridge." One of the pastimes of visitors is to sift through some piles of dirt that miners have left aside in their diggings. This is known as "noodling" and a number of famous black opals have been found this way. What better way to relax after a day of sifting through the dirt and dust than to swim in the bath water hot Artesian Bores. These bores are from Australia's Artesian Basin, when rain falls upon the inland side of the Great Dividing Range, the water seeps underground and a million or so years later bubbles above ground into artificial pools. A nifty local way to keep cool in summer is to wear a light shirt into the water, when you step out into the hot wind the evaporative effect is so cooling it takes your breath away!

Another unusual way to look around the camp sites is to take the self drive "Car Door Tour," the painted doors of cars have been hung in trees. This way you can take the red door tour or green and so on guided by tree bound car doors. It is a great way to find your way around the maze of opal diggings without needing your GPS to get home. This is worth doing just to get a glimpse of outback architecture such as the Astronomers Monument and Amigo's Castle along with other unique building styles. In town there is the house built of bottles, numerous opal mine tours and a number of shops where you can buy the precious black opal gems. One of the more unusual things you are ever likely to do is pub crawl through the bush taking a swig at "The Glengarry Hilton," "The Sheepyard Inn" and "The Club in the Scrub."

Below ground is of course where most of the action lies for miners of black opal. Visitors are not excluded from the cool tunnels, tours undertake to show sculptures and even a cinema underground. There are many eccentricities about Lightning Ridge and the people who live in the black opal country. Overall, like many places of the world, the heart of Lightning Ridge lies in its community, it's why I keep returning.

Visit Us:https://australianopaldirect.com/black-opal/black-opal-stones/

Opal - A Gemstone Of Ancient Fantasy

Just like fantasy, green opal ring has the magical power to show you all the colors of the rainbow with just one look. Opal reflects a multitude of colors that gives the impression you are looking at the colors of a rainbow on close range. It can be captivating and needs to be seen to be admired. It is the birthstone of those born in October and is a symbol of many ancient beliefs. However, which ever belief makes you the happiest, it is without question that opal is a gemstone that cannot fail to be in awe of and which will form a valuable part of any jewelry collection.

It originates from various parts of the world - Australia, Nevada and Former Czechoslovakia for example, and has had a varied history from lovers of the gem to those that thought it had a darker origin. Beliefs abound in respect to opal!

There are three main classifications of opal: black, white and transparent. A black opal, that which reflects the most luminous colors, is the most valuable of all. Not included in this classification are those that do not reflect a display of colors. These are the fire, prase and blue-green opal. One other amazing thing about opals is that they contain water from 3 to 10% of their full weight!

With a display of rainbow colors, opal is really the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow because its iridescence renders it as one of the most precious stones in the world today. It is now a popular choice for gem collectors and lovers of fine jewelry around the world. believing that opals fell from heaven. However popular it was, opal somewhat lost its "charm" when a widely-read novel pictured opal as an unlucky stone. But the stigma did not last, and opal won back its popularity among the collectors' circle and possibly every gem lover.

Opal - A Gemstone Of Ancient Fantasy

Just like fantasy, white opal necklace has the magical power to show you all the colors of the rainbow with just one look. Opal reflects a multitude of colors that gives the impression you are looking at the colors of a rainbow on close range. It can be captivating and needs to be seen to be admired. It is the birthstone of those born in October and is a symbol of many ancient beliefs. However, which ever belief makes you the happiest, it is without question that opal is a gemstone that cannot fail to be in awe of and which will form a valuable part of any jewelry collection.

It originates from various parts of the world - Australia, Nevada and Former Czechoslovakia for example, and has had a varied history from lovers of the gem to those that thought it had a darker origin. Beliefs abound in respect to opal!

There are three main classifications of opal: black, white and transparent. A black opal, that which reflects the most luminous colors, is the most valuable of all. Not included in this classification are those that do not reflect a display of colors. These are the fire, prase and blue-green opal. One other amazing thing about opals is that they contain water from 3 to 10% of their full weight!

With a display of rainbow colors, opal is really the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow because its iridescence renders it as one of the most precious stones in the world today. It is now a popular choice for gem collectors and lovers of fine jewelry around the world. believing that opals fell from heaven. However popular it was, opal somewhat lost its "charm" when a widely-read novel pictured opal as an unlucky stone. But the stigma did not last, and opal won back its popularity among the collectors' circle and possibly every gem lover.

Opal Jewelry -- Your Own Personal Piece of Rainbow

Men's Opal Necklace is a magnificent gemstone whose shades encompass virtually every hue in the color spectrum. The play of color is different on every stone, and its shimmering hues gave rise to the word 'opalescent.' Because it is such an entrancing and unique gemstone, it is no wonder that opal jewelry is very popular among collectors and fashion enthusiasts.

Opal is the birthstone for October and its history is peppered with superstitions and beliefs that it caused both good luck and bad luck. In Europe, it used to be thought of as the 'official' stone of thieves and robbers. One of the greatest contributors to the myth that opal jewelry causes misfortune is a misreading of its depiction in Sir Walter Scott's 19th-century novel 'Anne of Geierstein.'

However, many cultures associate the opal with white magic and good fortune. The ancient Romans used opal jewelry as talismans and for them, it symbolized purity and hope. The ancient Greeks, on the other hand, believed that it gave the wearer the abilities to prophesy or foretell the future. It was also thought to bring luck to the wearer.

The popularity of opal jewelry is on the rise. Although it is classified as a semi-precious stone, the black opal can cost as much as a diamond. Opals can also range in price, depending on their color. Generally, red opals are the most expensive while blue opals are the least. Also, doublet or triplet opal jewelry, or a piece of opal that is sandwiched between two other materials is less expensive than solid opal pieces. Set in gold or silver, or embellished with other gemstones, there is a wide variety of opal jewelry to choose from.

Men and women throughout time have been fascinated and captured by the iridescent colors of opal jewelry. Bad or good luck notwithstanding, these multi-colored gems are worthy additions to any wardrobe. A person cannot be blamed for thinking that wearing an opal necklace, earrings, bracelet or ring is somehow just like having a piece of the rainbow close to the skin.

A Guide to Buying Opals Online

Buying opal jewelry loose in a shop is difficult enough if you don't understand them but to buy them online is a daunting task. You are at the mercy of the salesperson and that is not always in your best interest. But I can help with some advice which will smooth the way.

Natural or Synthetic?

Synthetic opals are man made in a laboratory and will be called "created opals" by most websites. They can make stunning jewelry too. The may also be called "imitation opals."

Solid, Doublet or Triplet?

Let's say after deciding that we want real or natural opals rather than man made opals we now need to decide whether we want a solid opal, a doublet or a triplet.

You may be aware that a solid opal is one piece and is the best and most expensive.

A solid opal which is very thin, too thin to make into a piece of jewelry, will have another piece of black colored opal glue to the back of it to give it strength and to bounce the stone's bright colors. These are doublets and are cheaper than solids and can often look even nicer. We just have to be aware that they are not solid opals.

A triplet is basically a doublet with a dome of clear material such as quartz or glass on the top of it. These are the cheapest of all but often look fantastic. Again we just need to have an understanding of what we are buying.

Doublets and triplets may not be just thin or poor quality opal products which cannot be sold. Sometimes good opal is deliberately cut up into tiny flat pieces and made into doublets and triplets. It is anathema to a real opal lover like me. I have seen these wafer thin pieces cut so thin that when you place them in the palm of your hand they sink into the hollow of your hand. They are then made into lots and lots of triplets from the one original solid opal.

Which is the best Color?

Let us assume that we want a natural, solid opal. The next thing is to think of color. Anything with red in it is going to be the most expensive. Then green is the next expensive and then blue. But, having said that, I have seen plenty of bright blue solid opals which are far nicer and much more expensive than dull pieces of red. So it is a matter of how bright and fiery the actual stone is rather than whether it is red, blue, green or any other color.

What Shapes Should I Look For?

As most good opals come from Australia you are going to see their measurements in millimeters rather than inches or parts of inches. Most opals will be an oval shape. The market over many years has dictated that oval shapes are the most popular. If it is not an oval shape then it will be called a "free form." That means that it is an irregular shape.

Some opals will be round but this is not popular and is the most difficult shape to cut.

This is an important distinction since ovals are more likely to go into a setting that your jeweler already has rather than having to make a setting specially for that free form stone which is going to cost you a good deal more. Possibly twice as much or more as a mounting which has been mass produced and is freely available to your jeweler.

Is size Important?

Read the description of the opal or opal jewelry very carefully. What you want to know is the size firstly. If it is for a ring then you'll be looking for an oval 7 x 5mm, or 8 x 6mm, or 10 x 8mm, or even 9 x 7mm. These are the sizes that your jeweler might have a ring mounting ready made to suit your stone. Otherwise he will have to custom make one.

A pendant size can be anything from 8 x 6mm and bigger. I think that any smaller than this is getting a touch too small for a pendant.

The next thing you want to know is the thickness of the stone. Generally, any opal less than 1.5mm thick is going to be too thin. An opal thicker than 4mm may be difficult to set in a ring.

Of course, I am generalizing here. I have set solid opals measuring 18 x 13 x 6mm in rings but they were large.

What about Inclusions?

Next you want to be aware if there are any inclusions or faults in the top surface of the stone. Stones such as emeralds, sapphires and diamonds have what we call inclusions. If you look closely at the stone you will see some cracks, tiny holes discolorations and other things. These devalue the stone but most times do not make it unworthy of sale.

Opals are different. We don't want any cracks or holes in our opals. It is okay to have a pitted surface on the bottom of the opal or a bit of what we call sand. This is sometimes mixed in with the opal structure and the cutter will make sure that is the bottom or underneath of the opal.

Can an opal be Poorly Cut?

Most opals are cut by miners or their wives. There are very few professional opal cutters. They usually have no formal training in a college or school of some sort. Consequently the cutting is poor.

The problems here are that the stones will not be a perfect shape and might need cutting again to allow them to be made into a lovely piece of jewelry. People who can cut opals well are hard to find in Australia so in another country they are going to be even rarer. Your jeweler will almost certainly not know how to or want to cut opals. So, you should look at the shape of the opal carefully and ask the seller if this will be ready to set into a ring without needing any further cutting.

Does it matter what it weighs?

The weight of the opal is also important. We in the Lightning Ridge area of opal mining in the state of NSW in Australia weigh our opals in carats. A good sized opal for a ring will be between one and three carats. Naturally, there are tiny sized stones which are lovely. I have set 0.3 of a carat many times but if you are unfamiliar with buying opals you will be disappointed with your purchase which will always look big on a website if you have bought a 5 x3mm stone weighing 0.2 carats.

In summary, look for a decent thickness greater than 1.5 mm, a size of 5mm or bigger, an oval shape for a ready made mount, a stone with no visible blemishes and one carat or bigger. You can go outside of these parameters but ask the seller some questions. Remember that opals are very difficult to photograph and it is a good idea to ask the seller if when you turn this stone around will it still have that fiery color?

Silver Opal Rings: The Stunning Look for Less

 In fashion, to show true beauty lies on how stunning your dress is and how elegant your jewelry are. Silver Opal Rings are the perfect accessory to reveal a unique and more noticeable you. There are also opal earrings, necklaces and bracelets but right now my job is to convince you why the opal rings are a must in your jewelry collection.

First, opal reviews have certain features that are long lasting. Plus, its uniqueness is very special and natural. So perhaps, you can say that they are authentic. This is an October birthstone and they are of different colors such as gray, white and of course, my personal favorite which is blue. Another favorite of mine is the red opal which symbolizes burning passion and love.

The manufacturers of these fine jewelry are using precious gemstones to attract wearers particularly women. Every ring that is made with silver and opal can guarantee a diverse and worthwhile experience because of its rarity. This ring gives me with so much delight every time I use it because I am drawing attention from the crowd. Standing out never seems to tire me so I relish wearing my ring.

Because there are many types of opal rings, you have so many options to think about. If you want to look more dramatic then perhaps the black one is right for you. If you are practical, plain and simple then I say go for the white. We all have our favorites; thankfully, there's a wide array of opals that we can choose as centerpiece. Each unique, but sure to dazzle

Whenever I am in the mood to look mystical yet elegant then I pair my lovely dress with this exquisite silver opal ring. People then never fail to turn their eyes on me as the ring adds more glamour to my appearance and the good thing is the color matches almost any of my outfits. So if you are thinking of opal rings, choose silver colored metal settings.

You can find many online stores offering jewelry of impeccable quality. Plus, their websites are rather user-friendly so browsing for pictures or information should be a breeze. Make sure though that you check customer reviews and compare their prices with other online sellers. Even if these rings are rather affordable, you should ensure that you are getting your money's worth.

Proactively Manage Online Customer Reviews

These days it seems like everyone is a critic. Restaurateurs, for better or worse, are faced with realities of online user reviews and social media. It is difficult to sift through the multitude of comments of online user review sites. On one hand it can be nothing more than a sounding board for those who fancy themselves as foodies to a restaurant critic space for others. In a very positive way, it is a forum for the most important person in the restaurant world, the customer. If the experience is good, then the reviews will be positive. Conversely, if the customer reviews is negative, then it is time to take a look at making the necessary improvements to making your restaurant a success.

Tips for dealing with online reviews:

1. Don't take it personally.

2. Be aware. Online reviews and social media are here to stay so don't ignore what they are telling you.

3. Take care in responding. If you choose to respond, make sure to do so privately to avoid unintentional public disagreements. Respond quickly, and appropriately. And always remember what is online, stays online.

4. Share. Make sure to keep employees and staff in the loop. Positive feedback boosts morale, while negative feedback can bring light to issues that need to be addressed.

5. Utilize the services of the online review sites to capitalize on your advertising and marketing dollars and to increase and attract traffic and tourists.

Pay Attention to What Customers Say

Monitor review websites by using Google Alerts, which is free. Or subscribe to a reputation management service to monitor all mentions of your company across the Web. Some review websites will even notify you via email when new reviews are posted.

Generate More Reviews, More Often

Most satisfied customers won't take the time to post a review unless you specifically ask them to. Make it easy by signing up for an online service that automatically emails your customers to request they submit a review. This simple technique has proven to dramatically increase the number of positive reviews you can generate. These services can link to your customer database so you know the reviews are from your actual and recent customers.

Promote Your Reputation Across the Web

Make sure that a 'read my reviews' button is prominently displayed on your website and on social media pages. This provides a compelling call-to-action for customers to read and also write reviews. To get started, create a separate web page that lists your reviews, preferably updated automatically or linked directly to your business' profiles on reviews sites. You can also add links to your reviews in a customer newsletter or in a promotion.

Respond Quickly, Personally, and Appropriately

Create a policy for responding to negative reviews and designate one person to act as the spokesperson in these situations. When a negative review appears, respond in a timely fashion, ideally via a private message, assuming you can determine the reviewer's identity and contact details. Acknowledge their dissatisfaction, describe how you plan to resolve the cause of it, and invite them back for a discounted or even a free service. Successful restaurant owners, goes a step further. They refund the customer's entire purchase when they are dissatisfied. They sees the monetary loss as a necessary expense in defending the reputation of their business. If the customer doesn't respond, or isn't willing to let you compensate them for the negative experience, craft a thoughtful public response to the review that explains how you have fixed the problem and attempted to resolve the situation with the customer.

People weigh the opinions of others heavily, even when they don't know them. That said, they are more likely to trust a business owner who takes time to respond to reviews with the goal of improving their service. Customers will naturally gravitate to businesses that display a human element. Remember, when it comes to managing customer reviews and promoting your reputation, the best defense is always a good offense.

It is vital to the success of your business to promote your reputation across online review and social media sites. Encourage your guests to provide feedback often, making it easy and accessible can drive good reviews and give you the best kind of promotion.

Managing Customer Reviews for Your Business Online

Running a large business can be tough online, and there are a lot of obstacles standing in the way of you having perfect success. There might be a ton of different things that are getting in the way of your business having a flawless reputation online. There are a myriad of possibilities when it comes to energizing your business, though, and you can start by focusing on the customer reviews of the products, services, items, and objects you sell through your website. You might have had a few negative customer reviews, but you shouldn't let that get in the way of your business getting the best reputation it can online.

Reputation management is an emerging field of Verified Customer Reviews. Brand reputation is the key term that applies to most serious businesses. They have to manage the amount and number of customer reviews they get. They can't be accused of having bad business practices, and then let this one negative review affect their business for the rest of their life. Imagine if this one company were constantly at the whim of what this one review could do for its reputation. There might be no coming back from a serious brand mismanagement error like that.

The key trick is to get so many positive reviews to come up in the search engines, that it pushes all the negative reviews aside. There are a lot of options for people that are just starting out in getting reviews, and they can start by soliciting legitimately positive reviews from customers that have had a positive experience with their company. If they get the right reviews, then they can post these on their website. Even if there is bad information from third parties leaking out there, you can still speak for yourself and put the best reviews on the website. Be sure to include name and location information. Your customers have to know that the people are legitimate users of your products, and you have to verify this with a hint of veracity and audacious truth.

You can also try to get a lot of positive reviews to come up in the search engines so that when you are looked up, you will get uniformly positive reviews. This is the best option for companies that are trying to preserve their reputation online and not let one or two negative reviews get in the way of them succeeding online.

The Beauty of an Opal Bracelet

A day stunning and value to addition to any respectable collection of jewelry is an opal bracelet. Opals are incredibly colorful, but you must know how to properly care for them if you want to maintain that stunning beauty. There are many things to remember about the opal bracelet.

Opal bracelets are varied unique because they are cut in a different fashion and other precious gems. When opals are mined, the miners themselves take extraordinary care when handling the beautiful stones. This adds their beauty and their value.

The stones of an opal bracelet are both vibrant and radiant in their color, with a different sort of color combination if they are black opals or white opals. Either the opal is do fantastic things when playing off the light. The color itself radiates from moisture that is trapped within the stone.

The stones of an opal bracelet are polished in such a way that they do do not usually crack for their protection. It for some tragic reason they were to contact the color would slowly fade right out of them and your bracelet with the will no longer.

An opal bracelet can have as few as one opal or as many as twenty, depending on the style and size. Remember to treat your opal with great care because they are rather fragile gems. You should limit your time for wearing an opal bracelet because even the natural oils from your skin can damage them. Wearing the opal bracelet for special occasions and the like is fine, as long as you do not forget you are wearing it.

Nor should they be immersed in any sort of liquids because that also tends to damage the opals. When you are finished wearing your opal bracelet for the evening, it is smart to let it air out and dry.

If the opal somehow does become dirty you want to clean it immediately. To take a toothbrush and cup of water to it might damage it, even though this method works well with other pieces of jewelry.

You also may want to look into specially produced jewelry cleaners that are made specifically to treat the precious gems that are contained in your opal bracelet. If you are worried about cleaning your bracelet, you might want to take it to a professional jewelry maker and ask them about cleaning your bracelet. This way you know it will be cleaned right, without damage done to your bracelet.

Using only a few steps, it is easy to care for your opal bracelet. As long as they remain flawless, you will have a beautiful and valuable heirloom to pass down for hundreds, if not thousands of years to come.

Elegant Earrings for a Night Out in the City

There is nothing quite like an exciting night out to raise your spirits and cut loose. You spend the entire week in anticipation of that day when you can finally relax and have a little fun with your friends or your significant other.

Adding a little extra flavor to your look can make a normal night out into an extra special event. Sure, a gorgeous new dress is always a terrific way to celebrate and feel good about yourself, but sometimes a little more subtlety can be just as effective.

A fine pair of elegant opal stud earrings can make an old outfit feel exciting and new again. With the proper accessory choices, you can make your next night out something truly memorable. These enticing earring selections are ideal for your next journey into the city.

14K White or Yellow Gold 2.00ct DEW Moissanite Stud Earrings

Picking out the right pair of earrings for a night out is entirely dependant on the events you will be attending. Obviously you would wear something entirely different to a dance club than you would to a quiet dinner party.

Let's say, for example, you are on your way to a black-tie, gala event. Maybe the opera is opening their new season or you are heading out to an important party with business clients. For an occasion like this you will have to bring out your very best ensemble.

These Moissanite stud earrings are absolutely ideal for making an impression. Moissanite is a gorgeous sparkling stone that is virtually indistinguishable from a diamond. Each of these Moissanite stones are round cut and measure 6.5mm across. They weigh a total of 2.00ct and are mounted basket style with prongs.

Each of these earrings measure about ¼" long by ¼" wide and secure to your ear with a backing. Be the belle of the ball in these dazzling Moissanite stud earrings.

Sweet Romance™ Gold-tone 1960's Inspired Aurora Style Earrings

With the success of hit television shows like AMC's "Mad Men," 1960s style is coming back in a big way. Half the excitement of watching the show is seeing the amazing wardrobe that each of the characters wears.

If you are on your way to a classy cocktail party and want to show off your sense of vintage style, these earrings by Sweet Romance are perfect to pair with a retro dress.

These earrings showcase two 1.5mm round blue crystals, two 1.5mm round buttercup crystals, two 1.5mm round light purple crystals, two 1.5mm round aqua crystals, two 10 by 6mm pear-shaped aqua crystals, two 10 by 6mm pear-shaped light purple crystals, two 8 by 4.8mm pear-shaped light green crystals, and two 7.3mm baguette-shaped light green crystals.

All of these crystals have a lovely pastel hue and shine brightly from bezel settings. In total, these gold-tone earrings measure 1-¾ inches long by 1 inch wide and have barrel ear nut disk backings made from plastic.

Sterling Silver / Platinum Exotic Gemstone Chandelier Earrings

Fancy gala events are great, and a nice dinner party can be a lot of fun too. However, some nights you don't need all of that planning to have a good time. Some nights out the only things you need are a few good friends and a great club to cut loose in!

These gemstone chandelier earrings are perfect for getting wild on the dance floor. They are sure to swing gracefully around and sparkle in the flickering strobe lights.

Classic platinum has been crafted over top of sterling silver to form the heart of these gorgeous earrings. You can also choose these earrings with either iolite or rhodolite gemstones. Each of these earrings showcases eight iolite or rhodolites in a variety of shapes and sizes.

One earring measures 1 15/16 inches long by 11/16 inches wide. If you choose the rhodolite, the stones will weigh 7.12ct, while the iolites weigh 4.44ct.

Sterling Silver / Platinum / 18K Vermeil Multi-Gemstone Rainbow Flower Stud Earrings

Part of making an impression while you are out on the town is by catching everyone's attention. This can come in many different ways, but a great subtle way to do this is with a truly colorful piece of jewelry. Earrings that come with a rainbow of colors are much classier than a dress that has an overwhelming pattern.

These gorgeous multi-gemstone earrings come with stones that range from all across the color spectrum. You will find citrines, opals, rhodolites, peridots, tanzanites and more in these exceptional examples of brilliant accessories.

Australian Opal Ring - Learn How to Select a Quality Gemstone

Australian Opal Ring have a attraction that most love and admire. These exquisite opals are found in the Australian Outback which is quite rough and has extreme weather conditions. These conditions have guarded Australia's sublime opals and have nurtured them to become even more beautiful as if they were created and made with an unimaginable power. Australia is number one source for opals and other opal jewelries because of their abundance in the Australian Outback.

There are actually opals that are commonly found in dry areas . However, these opals do not have the fire and the beauty precious Australian opals possess which is why they are sold at a much lower price or they are made into doublets and triplets. Precious opals are found in dry areas where there is limited or no water supply. These conditions actually make it harder to find the opals and it will also make the opals found more expensive than other common opals.

Many people are interested in opal jewelry. Australian opal rings are really popular to buyers nowadays since they cater to men and women. Unlike other Australian opal jewelry, Australian opal rings actually have fewer complex designs and are more of simplistic and classic so that the beauty of the opals stand out.

The popular gemstone choice for men when it comes to Australian opal rings are the black opals. These opals are set on either gold or silver rings and are very masculine and impressive to look at. The contrast between the metal and the black opal makes the opal stand out and emit a certain fire that makes the wearer more powerful yet peaceful to look at.

On the other hand, a popular choice for women when it comes to Australian opal rings are the opals which are inlaid in thin metal and are adorned with diamonds. This type of ring makes the opal stand out against a sparkling white frame making it look like its glowing. Most women look for these types of Australian opal rings because of its sophisticated beauty.

There are also opal rings that are being sold at a lower price compared to the precious opals. These opal rings are doublets or even triplets. Doublets make use of thin slices of precious opal. These thin slices of opal are sandwiched in ironstone which makes it look like a solid piece of black opal. Doublets are being sold in a much lower price than precious opals since fewer opals are used. Triplets are pretty much like doublets but it makes use of three thin pieces of different kinds of opal. Triplets are also less expensive than doublets.

Taking proper care of your Australian opal rings is also very crucial since opals are brittle and they can get easily cracked once they lose their moisture. Wearing your Australian opal ring is actually a good way to retain its moisture. However, you should remove your opal ring before doing strenuous activity to avoid it from getting hit. Australian opal rings should also be placed away from heat and rapid temperature changes to avoid it from cracking.

Why 14k Gold Opal Earrings Are A Great Choice

 Whether you are shopping for a gift for the holidays, or you are just looking for a way to dress up an particular outfit, don't neglect the choices that are offered when you are looking for 14k gold opal earrings. If you are looking for a gemstone-metal combination that really pops, look no further than this unique combination. People have always loved the ever-changing, mercurial look of this gems, and of course gold has been a valuable commodity since time immemorial, but you'll find that ancient history aside, you'll always be able to get a great look out of this particular mix of bright colors and conservative setting.

This precious metal is an excellent choice when it comes to deciding what you want in an earring setting. The use of gold when you are speaking of earrings is a good one; although it is soft, people are less likely to have an allergy to it than to nickel. Many earring posts are made from a nickel alloy of some sort, causing people who are overly sensitive to get hives, and you'll find that using this valuable metal prevents this. Similarly, the use of 14k gold is a great choice because it tends to be firmer and less likely to get bent out of shape than that of 24k, which is purer. Just make sure that you know what has been used to alloy this material.

Opal earrings, rather are than being a stone, exactly, are considered mineraloids; despite being quite solid, they have a high percentage of water in them, which results in them gaining a beautiful shine and a deep and vibrant variety of colors that can appear. You'll find that most of this stones are never faceted; they are usually cut into cabuchons and polished, lending them a uniquely sleek and perfectly smooth look which is highly prized. You can find opals in a wide variety of colors and often they are selected based on what colors they most often reflect. For instance, white opals are fairly white and opaque, while black opals and fire opals show offer a darker, yet no less brilliant spectrum. This gemstones are known for being delicate gems and do well when secured by a firm setting.

When you are looking for earrings, 14k gold opal earrings are a great choice. If you're looking for something somewhat innocent or charming, look into the white opal, whereas if you are looking for something that will pop a little more, check out what you can find in terms of fire opal. In any case, jewelry of this sort will always make a statement, so keep an eye out for the right pieces for your own collection.

The Black Opal - Simply Magnificent

 Black Opal and opal jewelry have been adored since antiquity. The Roman Pliny talks often about the magnificence of opals, and later even the great William Shakespeare had his characters discuss them. They were talking about opals and in those days the Australian black opal hadn't even been found. But today the black opal is a symbol of beauty in nature.

When people around the world talk about the magnificence of opal they are almost always talking about Australian black opal.

What are we talking about when we mean black opal? Without discussing crystalline structures and all that gemology jargon let's just think about how it compares with other types. When you look at a black opal you will see that it has a black or very dark base. It is just as if you had a glass of black paint. That's the black base that I am talking about.

Then you put in some bright colored pieces of plastic. Let's say you put in some blues and some reds and some yellows. Now we are talking about the color. Let's say you just put blues and greens in the black mix. In opalspeak we would call that blue/green on black. If the green color was the dominant color we would change it around and call it green/blue on black.

So is there one color in the black opal range which is the best and the most expensive? Yes, yes and definitely yes! When my mining partner used to tell me on the phone that today he had found some red on black then I would just say Oh my God! That meant we had sure money.

That's the top end of the opal market, red on black and it comes from almost only one place on earth the Lightning Ridge area of NSW, Australia. But any color on black is likely to fetch big bucks! As the black base gets lighter we start to decide whether we can still call it black. A dark gray stone will still often be called black but as it gets lighter we say it is for instance, blue on gray, and then when the gray and the blue start to get confused we say it is blue/gray.

Australian black opal is recognized as being the very best opal in the world and with good reason, but it is rare and becoming rarer.

How to Select an Opal Engagement Ring

 Do you have any plans of proposing to the woman whom you want to spend the forever with? Obviously, having your future wife state a resounding "yes" when you pop the question will bring excitement and joy to you, but seeing her eyes light up with your ring is even better. Your proposal is the start of your eternity with her, and it needs a lot of preparation: the romantic place, the unique way of asking her to be your wife and of course, the most important object which discreetly announces that she is your fiancé: the opal engagement ring.

Today's engagement ring is not limited to the common diamond only. With all the creative jewelers worldwide and with all the gemstones coming from different sides of the globe, one can choose from a huge collection of rings in different hues and designs. Why be cliche when you can stand out with the purchase of an amazing gemstone. Australian opal engagement rings are the best choice since the gemstone itself is crafted in the country where the best Opals originated: Australia. But since these rings are sold at a high price, many low quality varieties are available in shops that are very deceiving, only skilled jewelers can recognize their ingenuity.

How do experts recognize the difference between precious and semi-precious Australian opal engagement rings? Here are the two categories that will guide you in choosing the ring your beloved will be flaunting to her friends:

- Radiance- When you look at the gemstone in different angles, you will be seeing several shining colors too, even though the stone is solidly black in color. This is just one of the characteristics that differentiate Opals from the rest of the stones, as the hues of this jewel are simply mesmerizing. If an Australian Opal doesn't reflect a lot of colors, it doesn't mean that it is not authentic. One should look closely if the sparkle is vibrant and if the stone is sandwiched to a base stone or another jewel as it may be a doublet or triplet. A buyer must examine an Opal under a bright light.

- Weight- Opals, like Diamonds, are also measured in karats. The higher the karat value, the more expensive the stone is. Try to weigh the jewel with your own hand to see if the stone is heavier enough to be considered real.

The radiance and the weight of the Opal dictate its price in the market. But do not be fooled if an engagement ring is expensive since sometimes, the price does not connote the quality of the product itself. Consider these tips in buying your rings of engagement:

- Buy from a trusted jeweler. Yes, this may mean an expensive jewelry too, but come to think of it, a shop which already established its name in the jewelry industry have gained the conviction of numerous clients through the years. Besides, these shops have ascertained good rapport with its customers; they will guide you in opting for the jewelry of your choice. Remember: shops which offer precious and semi-precious stones of superior quality to their patrons are the ones which last in this kind of business. When selecting opals try to find jewelers that purchase their stones directly from Australia. This means that you get the best gemstone (from Australia) without too many middlemen marking up the price.

- Reflect on store hopping. In order to purchase the ring of your preference, you should not settle on one trusted store only. Think of browsing through the catalogs of all the shops you have found, and choose your favorites on their collection. In this way, you will avoid the regret of buying the ring with better design and color.

What are you waiting for? Go ahead and shop for Australian opal engagement rings. You are sure to see those pearly whites flash behind those luscious lips after presenting an opal engagement ring. If your planning your bride celebrates an October birthday, an opal engagement ring will suit her even better as opal is the October birthstone.

Shop Now:https://australianopaldirect.com/rings/opal-wedding-rings-opal-engagement-rings/

The Beauty of an Opal Bracelet

 A day stunning and value to addition to any respectable collection of jewelry is an opal bracelet. Opals are incredibly colorful, but you must know how to properly care for them if you want to maintain that stunning beauty. There are many things to remember about the opal bracelet.

Opals are varied unique because they are cut in a different fashion and other precious gems. When opals are mined, the miners themselves take extraordinary care when handling the beautiful stones. This adds their beauty and their value.

The stones of an opal bracelet are both vibrant and radiant in their color, with a different sort of color combination if they are black opals or white opals. Either the opal is do fantastic things when playing off the light. The color itself radiates from moisture that is trapped within the stone.

The stones of an opal bracelet are polished in such a way that they do do not usually crack for their protection. It for some tragic reason they were to contact the color would slowly fade right out of them and your bracelet with the will no longer.

An opal bracelet can have as few as one opal or as many as twenty, depending on the style and size. Remember to treat your opal with great care because they are rather fragile gems. You should limit your time for wearing an opal bracelet because even the natural oils from your skin can damage them. Wearing the opal bracelet for special occasions and the like is fine, as long as you do not forget you are wearing it.

Nor should they be immersed in any sort of liquids because that also tends to damage the opals. When you are finished wearing your opal bracelet for the evening, it is smart to let it air out and dry.

If the opal somehow does become dirty you want to clean it immediately. To take a toothbrush and cup of water to it might damage it, even though this method works well with other pieces of jewelry.

You also may want to look into specially produced jewelry cleaners that are made specifically to treat the precious gems that are contained in your opal bracelet. If you are worried about cleaning your bracelet, you might want to take it to a professional jewelry maker and ask them about cleaning your bracelet. This way you know it will be cleaned right, without damage done to your bracelet.

Using only a few steps, it is easy to care for your opal bracelet. As long as they remain flawless, you will have a beautiful and valuable heirloom to pass down for hundreds, if not thousands of years to come.

Shop Now:https://australianopaldirect.com/bracelets/

Spotlight on October's Birthstone - Opal

 What is the meaning of the Opal Necklace? Opal is the birthstone for October. Opals are beautiful and unique in that they can change their coloring. The word Opal comes from the Greek word "opallios" which means to see variations in color. There are many different types of opals. There are lots of opal varieties including fiery colored ones and lighter, more iridescent opals. You can find opal's that are colorless, white, yellow, orange, red, purple, blue, green, gray, brown, and black or multi-colored. However, the color is more visible when the opal is clear, or "crystal," rather than cloudy.

Caring for your opal is important. Opal is a living stone and should be taken care of. It is best to protect opals from extreme heat, temperature changes and household detergents that could damage the gem. It is probably better just to avoid wearing any opal jewelry while cleaning or performing household tasks. To clean an opal, just wipe it with a clean, soft dry cloth. In general, you do not want to place your opal jewelry in water. Opals can get dehydrated after being mined, with a tendency to craze, which means to crack or developing webbing. If the opal survives several months without crazing, it is to be expected to last. Some opals can even maintain their original state for centuries.

Where do most opal's come from? Australia is the major supplier of Opal's worldwide. In fact, close to 95 per cent of all Opals come from mines in Australia. The remaining five per cent come from Mexico and Brazil, and sometimes the United States.

What re opal gem's made of? Opals are composed of a mixture of silica and water. Basically, opals are a gel from silica, with varying percentages of water.

Opal's make a great gift! Because each opal can be very different, they are considered a rarity and can be a romantic gift. You could purchase a gift for someone who is born in October and incorporate the opal in the jewelry. Or if buying a romantic gift, you could get a piece of opal jewelry, such as a pendant necklace or opal gemstone bracelet. Take your time and choose the type of opal appearance you want. Since there are so many varieties, you can take your pick.

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Why 14k Gold Opal Earrings Are A Great Choice

 Whether you are shopping for a gift for the holidays, or you are just looking for a way to dress up an particular outfit, don't neglect the choices that are offered when you are looking for 14k gold opal earrings. If you are looking for a gemstone-metal combination that really pops, look no further than this unique combination. People have always loved the ever-changing, mercurial look of this gems, and of course gold has been a valuable commodity since time immemorial, but you'll find that ancient history aside, you'll always be able to get a great look out of this particular mix of bright colors and conservative setting.

This precious metal is an excellent choice when it comes to deciding what you want in an earring setting. The use of gold when you are speaking of earrings is a good one; although it is soft, people are less likely to have an allergy to it than to nickel. Many earring posts are made from a nickel alloy of some sort, causing people who are overly sensitive to get hives, and you'll find that using this valuable metal prevents this. Similarly, the use of 14k gold is a great choice because it tends to be firmer and less likely to get bent out of shape than that of 24k, which is purer. Just make sure that you know what has been used to alloy this material.

Opals, rather are than being a stone, exactly, are considered mineraloids; despite being quite solid, they have a high percentage of water in them, which results in them gaining a beautiful shine and a deep and vibrant variety of colors that can appear. You'll find that most of this stones are never faceted; they are usually cut into cabuchons and polished, lending them a uniquely sleek and perfectly smooth look which is highly prized. You can find opals in a wide variety of colors and often they are selected based on what colors they most often reflect. For instance, white opals are fairly white and opaque, while black opals and fire opals show offer a darker, yet no less brilliant spectrum. This gemstones are known for being delicate gems and do well when secured by a firm setting.

When you are looking for earrings, 14k gold opal earrings are a great choice. If you're looking for something somewhat innocent or charming, look into the white opal, whereas if you are looking for something that will pop a little more, check out what you can find in terms of fire opal. In any case, jewelry of this sort will always make a statement, so keep an eye out for the right pieces for your own collection.

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Jewellery Stores - A Glance At World's Best

 Gold Opal Jewellery for Sale – a magical word that exudes bright smiles, diamond-like glittering eyes and deep, longing sighs. Ever since the human race evolved into an intelligent straight-backed species, there are evidences that jewels in the form of precious crude metals and stones were collected and considered to be forms of splendor. There are several archeological findings of hand-made simple and elegant jewelry in various parts of the world. No wonder that in the modern age, jewelry has gained such an important status in the global market and a nation’s fortune is decided upon its possession and utilization of gold and diamond mines.

Competition among the best brands is at its optimum level and today’s jewelers are the busiest in the professional market, trying to meet the never-ending craving for priceless elegant designs. With the revolution in the area of industry and communication, world class jewelry has come to the reach of urban man and is no longer limited to remain in the prized possession of royalty and film stars. No matter what the budget, jewelry, in today’s world comes in many different forms to suit your individual style. Every variety of jewelry has long since been the ultimate fashion statement and has stayed that way till date. The earlier small scale family jewelry shops have turned into massive corporate giants spewing thousands of fresh designs each year. It is quite an impossible task to bring forth the staggering number of brands floating in the current market. However, based on antiquity and their present grasp on the world’s economy, I am going to enumerate here some famous jewelry stores and brands.

America’s best jewelry brands and retail outlets

Zale Corporation

Zale is one of North America’s largest retailers in diamond, pearl and coloured stone, and gold (rings, chains, etc) jewelry. It has a chain of 2350 outlets throughout US, Canada and Puerto Rico. The firm has four flagship bearers aimed at different jewelry markets - Bailey Banks & Biddle Fine Jewelers, Gordon's Jewelers, Zales Jewelers, and Piercing Pagoda. In addition to this, Zale also runs several outlets in Canada under the names Peoples Jewellers & Mappins Jewellers. Zales.com & Baileybanksandbiddle.com are the two official online shopping malls for sale of Zale merchandise.

A brief overview of Zale’s chains is given below:

Gordon's Jewelers:

This was founded in 1924 by Meyer M. Gordon. With further expansion, the business grew into a dominant regional jewelry brand catering to local fashion and style and it has continued the tradition over the years.

Bailey Banks & Biddle:

This was created by two American silversmiths with very little capital in 1832 and the brand was established in 1878. This firm of fine jewelers became one of the country’s prominent jewelry brands and now has a nationwide recognition. Bailey Banks & Biddle has grown to more than 70 retail locations in 31 states across the country and Puerto Rico.

Piercing Pagoda:

As ear-piercing started catching up with the fashion market of the US, jewelry store owners Bernard and Bertha Cohen found it apt to open the very first Piercing Pagoda™ in the Whitehall Mall in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, in 1969. This venture became a success story when women from far and wide came to their stall for ear-piercing. Piercing Pagoda has grown from a single retail location to a chain of more than 820 kiosks today satisfying customers throughout the US and Puerto Rico with its specialty gold jewelry.

Signet Group plc

Signet, a UK based company, is the largest US specialty retail brand capturing a major chunk of the US jewellery market with its 1,221 stores in 50 states. It reaches to the retail customers through the malls under the banner Kay Jewelers and regionally under a number of well-established and recognized names. The superstores operate under the flagship name Jared – The Galleria of Jewelry. Signet Group's US subsidiary is Sterling Jewelers.

Sterling Jewelers Inc.

Primarily dealing with sterling silver, Sterling Jewelers also showcases gold, silver, diamond, and gemstone jewelry, watches, collectibles, and gifts. It has a spread of some 1,220 stores in 50 states. Sterling jewelers is ranked number one in the US (ahead of Zale). It operates “Kay Jewelers” (as a subsidiary of Signet) as well “Jared the Galleria of Jewelry” (also as a subsidiary of Signet), and about 330 regional jewelry stores under the names “Belden”, “JB Robinson”, “Marks & Morgan”.

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Opal Jewelry -- Your Own Personal Piece of Rainbow

 Opal is a magnificent gemstone whose shades encompass virtually every hue in the color spectrum. The play of color is different on every stone, and its shimmering hues gave rise to the word 'opalescent.' Because it is such an entrancing and unique gemstone, it is no wonder that mens opal necklace is very popular among collectors and fashion enthusiasts.

Opal is the birthstone for October and its history is peppered with superstitions and beliefs that it caused both good luck and bad luck. In Europe, it used to be thought of as the 'official' stone of thieves and robbers. One of the greatest contributors to the myth that opal jewelry causes misfortune is a misreading of its depiction in Sir Walter Scott's 19th-century novel 'Anne of Geierstein.'

However, many cultures associate the opal with white magic and good fortune. The ancient Romans used opal jewelry as talismans and for them, it symbolized purity and hope. The ancient Greeks, on the other hand, believed that it gave the wearer the abilities to prophesy or foretell the future. It was also thought to bring luck to the wearer.

The popularity of opal jewelry is on the rise. Although it is classified as a semi-precious stone, the black opal can cost as much as a diamond. Opals can also range in price, depending on their color. Generally, red opals are the most expensive while blue opals are the least. Also, doublet or triplet opal jewelry, or a piece of opal that is sandwiched between two other materials is less expensive than solid opal pieces. Set in gold or silver, or embellished with other gemstones, there is a wide variety of opal jewelry to choose from.

Men and women throughout time have been fascinated and captured by the iridescent colors of opal jewelry. Bad or good luck notwithstanding, these multi-colored gems are worthy additions to any wardrobe. A person cannot be blamed for thinking that wearing an opal necklace, earrings, bracelet or ring is somehow just like having a piece of the rainbow close to the skin.

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Tips For Shopping For Great Deals on Black Opal Jewelry Online

 Because of their small size, high value and multiple variables that can effect their value, all types of jewelry including black Opal Jewelry for sale can be subject to misrepresentation by their sellers. While the Internet does have its share of "rip and run" con artists that you have to always be on the look out for, there are in fact at the same time, progressive minded jewelers that understand the intrinsic value of a stellar reputation.

Thus, it is highly recommended that you focus your initial efforts in your search for black opal jewelry online to locating and making contact with reputable sellers. Black opal jewelry in particular has so many things that factor in to raise or lower its value that it is important that you have someone on the other end of the line that will be open and honest with you.

This means that of course, you should never shop from a website that does not have adequate pictures of the black opal jewelry that they are featuring for sale. The fact is that there are some great deals to be had on the Internet with regards to all types and varieties of jewelry however; there are just as many, if not more pitfalls.

Developing good business relationships takes time even on the Internet so it is advised that you be patient in this area. One thing that you can do to help you in your quest however is to visit some jewelry related topic chat rooms where you can meet and talk to like minded Internet shoppers who can give you some tips and hopefully point you in the right direction.

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