Caring For Opals - How to Care For Your Opal and Diamond Jewelry

 Opal and Diamond Rings are beautiful gemstones and the wonderfully luminous color play of dramatic black opals makes them a perfect choice for setting into signature pieces of diamond jewelry such as engagement rings and pendant necklaces. But diamonds are the hardest natural substance on Earth. They can be cleaned with abrasive cleaners which can scratch and mark lesser gemstones. Opals are soft and fragile. So how can you clean and care for your opal and diamond jewelry?

Because they are porous, opals readily absorb moisture and other fluids. So caring for them is different from most other fine jewelry. And like so much in life, prevention is better than cure.

Use Common Sense

The easiest and most important way to care for your opal and diamond jewelry is to prevent it from becoming heavily soiled in the first place. So make sure you wear gloves, or remove your opal and diamond ring whenever you do the gardening, take out the trash, go to the beach etc.

And do not forget common household cleaners either. Opals can be easily scratched, cracked and even lose their fire if they come into contact with harsh chemicals such as polishes and cleaning products, not to mention hairsprays, deodorants, perfume, soap, baby oil, make up and so on. Use your common sense. Treat your opals with respect and do not contaminate them with any chemical products.

Wear Them Regularly To Prevent Dehydration

Even though are porous, opals should not be kept locked away for occasional wear only! NOT wearing opal jewelry actually damages the gemstones. This is because opals contain up to 6% water, so they actually need to be exposed to trace amounts of moisture in order to preserve their structure. Opals can crack if they are allowed to dry out. However, they will absorb the necessary moisture directly from your skin, so the easiest way to prevent them from dehydration is to wear your opal and diamond jewelry regularly.

Clean Gently

Whenever your diamond and opal jewelry needs to be cleaned, do it gently. Place your piece in a bowl of clean luke warm water and agitate carefully using a specialist jewelry brush or a soft tooth brush. Take care not to leave your jewelry to soak though. Remove it and gently pat dry with a lint free cloth.

Avoid Extremes of Temperature

Opals can be damaged by rapidly changing extremes of temperature. So if you take a sauna and are moving from a hot environment to a cold one in a short space of time, remember to take off your opals ahead of time!

Store Safely

Diamonds can only be scratched by a harder diamond, although the ring settings can become scratched in contact with other jewelry. However, opals must be kept safe in a soft pouch away from damaging contact.

Opals and diamonds complement each other beautifully. Follow these tips and keep them looking that way!

Finding the Perfect Opal Ring

Gold 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!

How To Find Authentic, But Inexpensive Opal Jewelry

 Opal jewelry or jewellery 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.

Opal jewelry is now available on the internet, but how do you know it's real, and how can you find something for a gift that is not too expensive.

The Unique and Vibrant World of Opals

 If boring and milky-white is what comes to mind when you think of an opal, think again. Sure there are some stones that are more sedate and subtle in their fire, but there are also some that will set you on fire with their brilliance. Opals are a truly unique gemstone. Really! No two are alike in pattern and color. You can confidently say that no one else has an opal pendant like the one you have.

History and Legend

This gemstone got its name because of its iridescent-looking qualities. Opal bracelet is derived from the Greek word "Opallus" and the Latin word "Opalus." Respectively, these words mean to see color changes and precious stone. As with many gemstones, folklore attaches mystical-like powers to the opal. Ancient Greeks believed it gave a person the ability to see and predict the future. Others believed the opal helped ward off the ills of aging. If it does help, why not slip on an opal ring or an opal bracelet? It certainly couldn't hurt!

Origin and Chemistry

Opals primarily come from Australia. In fact, nearly 95% of the world's supply comes from the four major mines in Australia. A smattering of stones comes from Mexico, Brazil, Nevada and Idaho.

Opals are extremely soft and delicate. Their make-up is actually a silica gel, which is what forms when silica is introduced to water. Opals hold water and about 6-10% of their composition is water. Because of its flexible state, it grows wherever there is space and takes the shape of that space. Because it is so soft- a 5.5 on the Mohs scale, an opal ring is less practical, certainly for everyday wear. An opal pendant holds up better because there is less chance of knocking it and scratching it through wear.

Birthstone and Types

This unique and delicate gemstone happens to be the birthstone for October. There are a myriad of colors and styles to choose from in celebration of your birthday or someone else's. For a bold piece of birthstone jewelry, you can put together a black opal and diamond bracelet with black opal diamond earrings. The black opal is the boldest of the types because the black serves as a wonderful contrast to the blues, greens, reds and yellows. However, it is also the hardest to find and therefore, quite expensive.

Instead of investing in a strand of pearls, why not look at white opal and diamond pendants. They are just as classic, but also unexpected and beautiful. White opals are not as bold as the black, but they are just as pretty. Instead of bright and vibrant, the colors come across as soft and pastel.

In between the black and white lay the semi-black and the light opals with varying shades of bright and pastel colors. The crystal opal has no color- not black or white. It is clear and only color you see is the fire, the diffraction of light.

Whatever piece of opal jewelry you choose, take care of it. An opal ring makes a great family heirloom, but not if it is scratched or cracked. Follow your jewelers cleaning instructions so that your opal jewelry lasts for generations to come.

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.

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.

Opal Jewelry - Why is It So Special?

 Opal earring can be made into so many different items of jewellery. Sure, we all know that there are opal pendants, opal rings, opal earrings and so on, but opals, as opposed to other stones like diamonds and rubies etc, can be made into special kinds of jewelry.

There is an opal variety from Australia called Koroit and this is an unattractive type of stone when we compare it to an Australian Black Opal. It is mostly a reddish, dark brown lump of ironstone with slashes of opal running randomly through it. A jeweler cannot do much with that you might think, but simply drill a hole through it and attach a hefty chain or a cheap leather thread and it makes a gorgeous chunky necklace and it looks great on men as well as women.

Then there is boulder opal which often comes as a piece of opal connected naturally to a piece of ironstone or sandstone. The opal stone is undulating and may not have any of the fire associated with gem quality opal but when we look at it closely it has a pattern that might look like a seascape or a view of a mountain range or all kinds of other things. It might be the kind of thing you just like to stare at and imagine seeing all kinds of things in. Try doing that to a diamond! The beauty of a piece like this is that it is not gem quality and is very inexpensive.

I love jewelry like that because not only is it cheap to purchase but when you wear it people ask questions about it and they want to have a close up inspection of it. It is a great conversation starter. You never get people asking you if they can they have a look at your topaz ring. They never say: "Oh, where did you get that ring?" But with a $40 necklace of cheap Koroit or Boulder Opal you will get strangers asking what sort of stone it is and where did it come from.

Then there is one of my favorites Opal Inlay Jewelry. Beautiful pieces of crystal opal are set into the metal of rings, earrings and pendants. The opal is finished off flush with the surrounding metal. We often see this with boring stones such as Onyx and other lame looking minerals with very little color. But, when you make inlay opal jewelry normally you would use high quality opal and the results are fantastic.

You can put nearly any other gemstone next to opal it and it will enhance the piece of jewelry. Opals with diamond accents will always look stunning. Conversely, you can have a pink topaz or emerald main stone with inlay opals on each side and you have a brilliant item of jewelry then.

Opals can be inlayed, prong set or bezel set. They can be glued in place where as other stones will not appear attractive this way.

One comforting aspect of opal jewelry is that the stone will be mined by lonely men or husband and wife teams living in harsh conditions in outback Australia. There are no big companies involved and there is no forced labor here. It is a labor of love. Think about the cutting of rubies and other stones which is often done by children who should be at school. I am an opal cutter and although it is labor intensive I enjoy doing it and I have never met an opal cutter who is not passionate about opals so there is a kind of love attached to these stones all the way through from the man underground in the middle of nowhere to the wife or enthusiast carefully cutting and polishing the stone.

Types of Opals - Which is Perfect For What Type of Opal Jewelry?

Black Opal Necklace are striking gemstones which flash with all the colors of the rainbow. They are made from tiny spheres of hydrated silica; silica being the sand constituent that makes up sand! As they form, tiny droplets of water become trapped within the lattice work of spheres in an irregular pattern. The water diffracts light passing into the gemstone, resulting in the magical play of color, known as opalescence, for which this gemstone is famous!

However, not all opals are the same! There are four broad categories of opal, white, black, boulder and crystal, which differ in their translucency and color of the host rock. They also exhibit different levels of opalescence. And although fashion dictates the changing popularity of individual opal types, certain types of opals lend themselves better to some rather than other forms of opal jewelry. So which form suits what jewelry best?

White opals are the most abundant of these gemstones. They have a milky white appearance which can range from near opaque to translucent. The more milk like the backdrop of the host rock, the harder it is to see the flashes of fiery opalescence within. Their beauty is most readily seen in strong direct light. Their pale appearance and relative affordability means that they are often set, as cabochons, into silver metal for everyday pieces of jewelry.

Black opals are the rarest, most coveted and most expensive form of the gemstone. Some of the best in the world come from Lightning Ridge in Australia. The dark host rock is usually black, blue, brown or gray and provides the perfect backdrop against which to see the glorious color display of these gemstones. They have the look of an angry storm cloud behind a rainbow.

The drama of black opals is best appreciated in full view. They are typically set as cabochons. And they are dramatic enough to hold their own even alongside diamonds in a signature piece of fine jewelry, such as a wonderful anniversary pendant or an engagement ring.

Boulder opals are always cut with some of the host rock still attached. They are typically set into jewelry as thin segments or as baroque stone shapes. They are unusual and extremely attractive pieces which will draw comments and admiring glances! They cannot easily be set into rings but make superb pendant necklaces.

Crystal opal types, such as fire opals are transparent and typically have a good clarity which allows a strong diffracted color to be seen. These are the only category of the gemstone which is generally faceted before being set into jewelry. Fire opals have little opalescence but are instead valued for their color. They make wonderful rings, earrings and pendants.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4070345

All the Treasures Have Been Found! Or Have They?

 All the treasures have been found! And what about the famous opals downunder?

That's what I thought when I first set foot in the red dust of western Queensland, Outback Australia.

"Whatever is to be found in the ground has already been found!"... "Treasures are for Long John Silver, buried, dug up and lost again hundreds of years ago by pirates and men of adventure!"

Fancy being sent as a travelling minister to such a desolate God forsaken country. As if the isolation, the heat, the dust and the gravel road corrugations were not enough, there were those pesky flies. 'Don't worry about 'em!' was the experienced advice of the country bumpkins who didn't know there could be such a place without them. "It won't hurt ya if ya swallow one or two with ya sandwich."

The skies in Western Queensland are very blue during the day and very black at night. I'm sure if Copernicus had aimed his telescope into the night sky of the outback, he would have discovered a lot more than he did. No light pollution here. Just one magnificent ebony backdrop, sprinkled with endless galaxies of stars.

Not that the wife and I saw much of the sky in the daytime. It was the sparkling things in the ground that held more fascination to us. Being confirmed rock hounds, It didn't take long to find out that we were travelling through some of the most famous gemstone country in the world. Gravel pits became treasure troves. Dried out creeks, Treasure Islands.

Oblivious to the fly's and the heat, we would have our heads tilted toward the ground while our eyes darted back and forth from one rock to the other, looking for agates topaz, onyx, petrified wood and anything else that exhibited the molten glass tell tale signs of a gemstone. On those very hot days, we would sit in the middle of a shallow creek sifting through the gravel.

But what happened to us when we hit the opal town of Yowah, will always remain in our memory. For the first time we encountered boulder opal in the form of what are known as 'Yowah nuts' Suddenly, interest in all other gemstones was pushed aside in favour of this amazing stone that changes color, encompasses the whole spectrum of the rainbow, and displays ever changing patterns that simulate pictures of mountain and ocean scenes, faces, all kinds of objects and abstract shapes that challenge the imagination.

There are many gemstones in Australia But Opal must be the most unique and most colorful. At the Opalmine blog you will see them in all their varieties. Leave a message if you need help in touring the mines.

Yowah is but one of a number of fascinating outback opal fields in Australia. The Australian 'bush' has captured our hearts, and to this day we must return again and again to savour its delights.

Its amazing that, just like snowflakes, there are an endless array of jewelry designs! Click on http://www.opalmine.com to see gemstones such as you have never seen before. To know the details of galaxy opal, please stay with us. 

On Trend Necklaces for Spring

 If you are looking for the trendy opal necklaces for the spring, a good place to start your search is with the different jewelry collections. You will discover what's new with the individual designers and you will discover some common themes - aka trends.

Gems en Vogue II

It's no surprise that gems are at the heart of this collection - beautiful pastels blended into one gorgeous dragonfly necklace and bright colors standing on their own. The multi-gemstone Dragonfly & Cultured Spice Pearl necklace is a mixture of gems and cultured pearls strung on a pearlescent lilac strand. The wings of the dragonfly pendant combine apatite stones, dark pink sapphires, rubies, iolites, tanzanites, amethysts and pink quartz. All gemstones are in claw and bead settings. The pendant is just under 2 inches long and just over 2 inches wide. The chain is strung with dyed multi-colored freshwater cultured pearls and measures 23 inches long. It secures with a lobster clasp.

For a bit of bright orange, check out the carnelian, garnet and orange sapphire necklace, hanging from a 20-inch sterling silver and 18K vermeil chain. At the center of the necklace is the pendant - a semi-round carved orange carnelian, a garnet and an orange sapphire, all in claw settings. This pendant hangs from a strand of round cut carnelian beads.

Gem Treasures

You will recognize this collection for its multi-strand necklaces made with hand-selected exotic gems. Start with your choice of a 24-inch rose or smoky quartz necklace, both set on sterling silver. It features various round faceted and oval fancy cut stones in your choice of rose quartz or smoky quartz. The rose is a soft baby pink color and the smoky quartz is a deep, rich brown. The three strands of quartz secure with a lobster claw clasp.

Want to reflect the colors of the sun? Try the Shades of Fire Opal necklace, strung on an 18-inch sterling silver chain.

The 165 round beads are arranged by the depth of their color. The total fire opal weight is approximately 52.64ct. It secures with a magnetic clasp.

Belita Brilliante

Love the look of platinum? You will love this collection's platinum-embraced 16 inch or 18 inch bezel set tennis necklace. It is one luscious row of sparkles that come from the simulated diamonds set in platinum-embraced sterling silver. The bezel setting offers a more contemporary look to this classic style. The necklace fastens with a box clasp with a safety catch.

For a simpler look, check out the platinum-embraced 24-inch station necklace. Again, made with platinum-embraced sterling silver, the necklace is a cable chain with six stations. At each station is a solitary round simulated diamond in a bezel setting. It fastens with a spring ring clasp.

Sweet Romance

This collection knows all about soft romantic looks that harken back to the 1930 and 1940s. Start with a Victorian-inspired Paris shadow box necklace that contains a nod to the famous Eiffel Tower. It measures 21 inches long plus a 4-inch drop. Even if you have never been to Paris, you will love the feelings of romance stirred up by this necklace. The textured gold tone chain features a pendant with an image of the Eiffel Tower and the word "Souvenir de Paris" in the background. On the front of the shadow box are flower sprigs with crystals and glass pearls. Atop the pendant is a small fleur-de-lis. It is rich with detail. Altogether, the necklace contains 60 different crystals in a bezel setting.

Another romantic necklace from Sweet Romance is the 22-inch Tudor-inspired intaglio necklace with a "reverse" cameo etched in one of several charms hanging from the necklace. You have a choice of a blue or smoky cameo. The other charms include a key and glass charms. They hang from a gloved hand charm that attaches to the 22-inch gold-tone necklace. This interesting necklace - a blend of Tudor and the Renaissance - will be a real conversation starter.

Far East Market

If you think of pearls when you hear the words "Far East," you are right on target. One of the best sellers in this collection is the pink freshwater cultured pearl necklace. The 18-inch strand includes 39 round 11mm to 12mm pink freshwater cultured pearls. It is secured by a fish hook clasp with a catch guard.

If you prefer something other than pearls, consider a 24-inch hematite and carved onyx "Year of the Dragon" necklace in honor of 2012. The dragon, a symbol of power, strength, protection and wisdom in Chinese culture, is painted in gold-toned enamel on each one of the 10 round black onyx beads. Interspersed between the onyx beads are 33 dark gray hematite beads. The beads are individually knotted. A magnetic clasp, made of sterling silver and plated with 18K yellow gold, secures the beads. This beautiful piece comes with its own jewelry pouch.

Opal Rings - A Brief History of the Rainbow Stone

 Collectors of gemstone jewelry value the beauty found in precious opal rings. Few gemstones rival the opal in terms of its varied colors and its ability to take on a multitude of hues, seemingly changing from moment to moment. Opals are truly a rainbow stone.

The majority of opals come from Australia and were formed as our planet Earth was in its infancy, millions of years ago. As continents shifted and waters flooded landmasses, these waters contained silica that worked its way into crevices of sedimentary rock. Over the course of time, the silica became gel-like and opals formed from this gel coating seeping into the rock base. The varying colors that make opals so special are a result of how silica spheres are arranged within the rocks.

Opals can be dark or light and may be transparent or translucent. The most valued opals are the black opals, which are rare and quite pricey. These expensive stones can range from grey to black. More commonly the opals we find in rings and other jewelry have a milky appearance with rainbow-colored hues within the stone. In between these two are fire opals. Fire opals are more yellow to orange in their base color with intense rainbow hues.

When it comes to choosing fire opal rings, the wise consumer will take the time to do some research online and learn more about the many choices that are available. Your personal tastes and pocketbook will lead you to the rainbow gemstone of your dreams.

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 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 men's opal necklace 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.

Please stay with us:

Australian Opal Direct

Address: 5401 Newcastle

Encino CA 91316

Contact Details:

Ph No: 8055749888

Email Id: info@australianopaldirect.com

Website: https://australianopaldirect.com

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 opal 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.

Please stay with us:

Australian Opal Direct

Address: 5401 Newcastle

Encino CA 91316

Contact Details:

Ph No: 8055749888

Email Id: info@australianopaldirect.com

Website: https://australianopaldirect.com

Types of Opals - Which is Perfect For What Type of Opal Jewelry?

 Opals are striking gemstones which flash with all the colors of the rainbow. They are made from tiny spheres of hydrated silica; silica being the sand constituent that makes up sand! As they form, tiny droplets of water become trapped within the lattice work of spheres in an irregular pattern. The water diffracts light passing into the gemstone, resulting in the magical play of color, known as opalescence, for which this gemstone is famous!

However, not all opals are the same! There are four broad categories of opal, white, black, boulder and crystal, which differ in their translucency and color of the host rock. They also exhibit different levels of opalescence. And although fashion dictates the changing popularity of individual opal types, certain types of opals lend themselves better to some rather than other forms of opal jewelry. So which form suits what jewelry best?

Black opal necklace is the most abundant of these gemstones. They have a milky white appearance which can range from near opaque to translucent. The more milk like the backdrop of the host rock, the harder it is to see the flashes of fiery opalescence within. Their beauty is most readily seen in strong direct light. Their pale appearance and relative affordability means that they are often set, as cabochons, into silver metal for everyday pieces of jewelry.

Black opals are the rarest, most coveted and most expensive form of the gemstone. Some of the best in the world come from Lightning Ridge in Australia. The dark host rock is usually black, blue, brown or gray and provides the perfect backdrop against which to see the glorious color display of these gemstones. They have the look of an angry storm cloud behind a rainbow.

The drama of black opals is best appreciated in full view. They are typically set as cabochons. And they are dramatic enough to hold their own even alongside diamonds in a signature piece of fine jewelry, such as a wonderful anniversary pendant or an engagement ring.

Boulder opals are always cut with some of the host rock still attached. They are typically set into jewelry as thin segments or as baroque stone shapes. They are unusual and extremely attractive pieces which will draw comments and admiring glances! They cannot easily be set into rings but make superb pendant necklaces.

Crystal opal types, such as fire opals are transparent and typically have a good clarity which allows a strong diffracted color to be seen. These are the only category of the gemstone which is generally faceted before being set into jewelry. Fire opals have little opalescence but are instead valued for their color. They make wonderful rings, earrings and pendants.

Please stay with us:

Australian Opal Direct

Address: 5401 Newcastle

Encino CA 91316

Contact Details:

Ph No: 8055749888

Email Id: info@australianopaldirect.com

Website: https://australianopaldirect.com

Be Mystified With a Black Opal Ring!

 In a nut shell, the black opal ring is a symbol of elegance and mystique. There are a lot of things that have caught the attention of a lot people when it comes to these stones. One is that the beautiful colors that can be seen in each opal. Beneath its dark exterior lies a beauty like no other, and only a true jewel lover can appreciate these features. And for any occasion, even for an engagement ring, these precious stones can be the best gift choice.

You have to admit, black opals are very interesting jewelry pieces. Its enigmatic form and soft texture makes for a great ring centerpiece. A black stone with a bedazzling array of colors beneath the shiny exterior and you'll only keep wondering what these black opals are exactly. And where better to put these objects than on a ring right? These days, black opal rings have become very popular when it comes to gift choices, particularly for engagements.

So if you're deciding on what ring to go with on your engagement, why not try a black opal ring? Diamonds are great, but this can be a lot better. Rather than going with the conventional rings that people go for, why not go with these black beauties? Not only is it a unique choice, these rings are also quite cheaper than your typical diamond rings.

And think about the message that you'll be sending to your loved one with these extraordinary jewelry pieces. It isn't everyday that this type of ring gets to be given away for engagements. The stone on this ring will represent that love that, like the colors found in each stone, grows deeper and deeper. It's the perfect engagement ring!

So for your ring choices, whether for an engagement or as a gift, you can't go wrong with a black opal ring.

Please stay with us:

Australian Opal Direct

Address: 5401 Newcastle

Encino CA 91316

Contact Details:

Ph No: 8055749888

Email Id: info@australianopaldirect.com

Website: https://australianopaldirect.com

Dazzling Earring Sets for an Elegant Night Out

 When it comes to selecting an outfit for a night out on the town, many women start with their dress. They pull out their favorite party frock and design the rest of their outfit around it, including the shoes and the accessories. But what if you started with the accessories?

A great pair of shoes can make or break an outfit, as can a great pair of opal stud earrings. It might sound crazy, but often, people go overboard with the accessories if they start with the outfit. Things might clash; things might look crazy - whereas if you start with the accessories and design a more muted outfit around it, you're more likely to look elegant and classy (which is what everyone is generally going for).

For instance, let's say you choose a leopard print dress. You probably don't want a pair of earrings that's going to clash with that pattern, and you might find yourself digging around your jewelry box, only to settle on a pair of earrings that, while not directly clashing with the outfit you've chosen, don't exactly work with it either. If you'd started with the earrings, you might have an easier time.

Sometimes, you have to let your accessories take center stage - let them do the talking. It seems like circular logic to many women, who have been taught that you start with your outfit and then pile the accessories on afterward. But that's just the problem - we tend to pile on the accessories without really thinking about whether they go with what we're wearing, and then we end up looking like a total mess when what we're going for is elegant and put together.

A well-dressed woman understands that it's not the amount of jewelry or accessories that you wear; it's how you wear them. She knows that less is often more, especially when it comes to jewelry, and that the right jewelry can influence an outfit greatly. She understands that if you want to wear crazy hot pink feather earrings, you better make sure all you're wearing in terms of clothing is a little black dress - so the earrings can truly take center stage.

Likewise, she knows that if she wants to rock a giant Tom Binns statement necklace, it's best paired with a white tee and a slim fitting pair of jeans - not with a leopard print mini dress. Style isn't something people are born with - it's something that's taught, and it's most certainly something that you can learn. Not sure what kind of earrings you should be choosing when it comes to dressing for an elegant night out? Start here.

Jewel tones were huge on the runways last season, and it seems that they'll be sticking around for yet another season. You may have spent summer embracing neon tones, but fall is all about more muted colors; colors that echo the changing leaves on fall foliage, the warm sun beating down in the dog days of summer.

Capture the jewel tone trend with a pair of quartz and citrine dangle earrings. Much like the chandelier styles that have been popular in the past, these gorgeous earrings look antique even though they're brand new. A gorgeous array of warm golden brown colors glitter on your ears. These dangle earrings are crafted from 18 karat yellow vermeil gold that sparkles in the sunlight, and each earring features three oval cut golden citrines, one oval cut smoky quartz stone and one oval cut Madeira citrine stone, all in prong settings. Don a matching ring, pair these with a long red gown and you're ready to light the night on fire.

When it comes to choosing your earrings for a night out, there's really nothing better than a great pair of diamond hoops. If you're looking to light up the dance floor or dazzle your wedding guests, consider a pair of 14 karat gold diamond pave inside-out hoop earrings. These well-crafted hoops glisten with 113 round cut diamonds in bead settings. Fit for a queen, these earrings will look just as good with a polished suit as they will with a wedding dress or a ball gown. If there's any material that belies elegance and class, it's diamonds, and these earrings boast a whole lot of them.

If dangle earrings and hoops feel a bit too heavy for your liking, consider a sophisticated pair of studs. Sterling silver Ethiopian Opal stud earrings are a nice contrast to almost any outfit, thanks to their white and blue sheen. They're a good alternative to diamonds, and are much less expensive. You can get a gorgeous look for a fraction of the price. With their beautiful iridescent auras of color that change as you move, these earrings are designed in polished rhodium plated sterling silver.

Opal Jewelry -- Your Own Personal Piece of Rainbow

Opal Jewelry 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.

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.

What is the Best Opal in the World?

 "Potch" is what we call worthless opal. It is actually opal but is has dull and lifeless grey black , white or unappealing ranges of color.

These days people tend to think that opal earring is found in Australia. Well it certainly is and there are two predominant types: black opal and white opal. Black opal comes from the Lightning Ridge region in the state of NSW and white opal comes from the Coober Pedy region in the state of South Australia.

Australian black opal is recognized as being the best quality gemstone opal in the world. You really need to think about that for a while. Obviously there is beautiful opal found in not just Coober Pedy but in different parts of the world.

Opal is found in all corners of the earth and has been known for many hundreds of years before it was found in Australia. Louis Leakey, an anthropologist in Kenya, found opal which had been worked by early artisans as long ago as 6,000 years.

Today there are still deposits of opal found in Hungary, Germany, Russia and other European countries as well as North and South America and Africa.

Many African states are finding deposits of opal. There is opal found in most continents and many countries but the deposits are small and the quality of opal is not good. In Australia the quantity is huge and the quality is magnificent at the top end.

I guess what experts mean is that if you are looking for the very best gemstone opal then you will most likely be talking about the black opal.

I have seen a million dollars worth of gemstone black opal held in the palm of a miner's hand. But I have also seen truckloads of worthless opal.

Another thing that I like about opal is that you don't have to be rich to have a nice piece of opal jewelry. You can choose to purchase a lower quality solid opal and have it set into a lovely setting and it will still look great even though it might not have the stunning colors of more expensive opal. It often will have some exciting character about it.

Alternatively, you can choose a doublet or a triplet which will often need a little more care as it is made from two or three pieces but will be mostly bright and flashy at a very affordable price.

Sometimes you will find potch with lines of bright opal within it and this will be cheap and will make splendid opal jewelry, particularly opal pendants rather than opal earrings or rings for a small amount of money.

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 Bracelet 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.

What is the Best Opal in the World?

 "Potch" is what we call worthless opal. It is actually opal but is has dull and lifeless grey black , white or unappealing ranges of color.

These days people tend to think that opal is found in Australia. Well it certainly is and there are two predominant types: black opal and white opal. Black opal comes from the Lightning Ridge region in the state of NSW and white opal comes from the Coober Pedy region in the state of South Australia.

Australian black opal earrings is recognized as being the best quality gemstone opal in the world. You really need to think about that for a while. Obviously there is beautiful opal found in not just Coober Pedy but in different parts of the world.

Opal is found in all corners of the earth and has been known for many hundreds of years before it was found in Australia. Louis Leakey, an anthropologist in Kenya, found opal which had been worked by early artisans as long ago as 6,000 years.

Today there are still deposits of opal found in Hungary, Germany, Russia and other European countries as well as North and South America and Africa.

Many African states are finding deposits of opal. There is opal found in most continents and many countries but the deposits are small and the quality of opal is not good. In Australia the quantity is huge and the quality is magnificent at the top end.

I guess what experts mean is that if you are looking for the very best gemstone opal then you will most likely be talking about the black opal.

I have seen a million dollars worth of gemstone black opal held in the palm of a miner's hand. But I have also seen truckloads of worthless opal.

Another thing that I like about opal is that you don't have to be rich to have a nice piece of opal jewelry. You can choose to purchase a lower quality solid opal and have it set into a lovely setting and it will still look great even though it might not have the stunning colors of more expensive opal. It often will have some exciting character about it.

Alternatively, you can choose a doublet or a triplet which will often need a little more care as it is made from two or three pieces but will be mostly bright and flashy at a very affordable price.

Sometimes you will find potch with lines of bright opal within it and this will be cheap and will make splendid opal jewelry, particularly opal pendants rather than opal earrings or rings for a small amount of money.

Opal Jewelry -- Your Own Personal Piece of Rainbow

 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.

Australian Opal Ring - Learn How to Select a Quality Gemstone

 Australian Opals 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.

LEGENDARY OPALS

 The “Aurora Australis” is the most valuable black opal. It was found in nineteen thirty-eight at lightning ridge. Its dominant red, green, and deep blue hues, this 3 by 1.8-inch 180-carat stone is more than just a pleasure to look at.  This rare beauty Sports a distinct impression of a starfish Fossil on its underside.  It is named after the northern lights.

The fire queen was discovered in 1906 by a man     named  Charlie Dunstan.The 900 carat fire queen is the largest opal to date. This fiery red giant opal was given to the Chicago museum in1928. In 1940 it was sold to J D Rockefeller. As for the Charlie Dunstan rumor right after he sold the fire queen he got drunk and lost two of its big-sized sister stones. In 1910, after the stones had been lost Dunstan was dead.

FIRE OPAL NECKLACE

Gems at the heart of every collection.  The multi-gemstone Dragonfly and cultured Spice pearl necklace Are a mixture of gems and cultured pearls strung on a pearlescent lilac strand.The wings of the dragonfly pendant combine apatite stones dark pink sapphires, rubies, olives, tanzanites, amethysts, and pink quartz. The pendant is just under 2 inches long and 2 inch wide. The chain strung dyed multi-colored freshwater cultured pearls and was 23 inches long. For a bright orange necklace checkout the carnelian, garnet, and orange sapphire necklace. At the center of the fire opal necklace is the pendant, a semi-round carved orange carnelian, a garnet and an orange sapphire, all in claw settings.

Gem treasures is recognized for its multi-strands necklace made with hand selected exotic gems. It depends on your choice of a 24-inch rows or smoky quartz necklace. Both set on sterling silver. It features various round faceted and oval fancy cut stones in your choice. The rose is a soft baby pink color and the smoky quartz in a deep rich brown. Try the shades of fire opal necklace strung on an 18-inch sterling silver chain. It reflects the color of the Sun. Australian fire opal necklace and pendants based in outback Australia.

What is the Best Opal in the World?

 "Potch" is what we call worthless opal. It is actually opal but is has dull and lifeless grey black , white or unappealing ranges of color.

These days people tend to think that opal is found in Australia. Well it certainly is and there are two predominant types: black opal and white opal. Black opal comes from the Lightning Ridge region in the state of NSW and white opal comes from the Coober Pedy region in the state of South Australia.

Australian black opal earrings is recognized as being the best quality gemstone opal in the world. You really need to think about that for a while. Obviously there is beautiful opal found in not just Coober Pedy but in different parts of the world.

Opal is found in all corners of the earth and has been known for many hundreds of years before it was found in Australia. Louis Leakey, an anthropologist in Kenya, found opal which had been worked by early artisans as long ago as 6,000 years.

Today there are still deposits of opal found in Hungary, Germany, Russia and other European countries as well as North and South America and Africa.

Many African states are finding deposits of opal. There is opal found in most continents and many countries but the deposits are small and the quality of opal is not good. In Australia the quantity is huge and the quality is magnificent at the top end.

I guess what experts mean is that if you are looking for the very best gemstone opal then you will most likely be talking about the black opal.

I have seen a million dollars worth of gemstone black opal held in the palm of a miner's hand. But I have also seen truckloads of worthless opal.

Another thing that I like about opal is that you don't have to be rich to have a nice piece of opal jewelry. You can choose to purchase a lower quality solid opal and have it set into a lovely setting and it will still look great even though it might not have the stunning colors of more expensive opal. It often will have some exciting character about it.

Alternatively, you can choose a doublet or a triplet which will often need a little more care as it is made from two or three pieces but will be mostly bright and flashy at a very affordable price.

Sometimes you will find potch with lines of bright opal within it and this will be cheap and will make splendid opal jewelry, particularly opal pendants rather than opal earrings or rings for a small amount of money.

What is the Best Opal in the World?

 "Potch" is what we call worthless opal. It is actually opal but is has dull and lifeless grey black , white or unappealing ranges of color.

These days people tend to think that opal is found in Australia. Well it certainly is and there are two predominant types: black opal and white opal. Black opal comes from the Lightning Ridge region in the state of NSW and white opal comes from the Coober Pedy region in the state of South Australia.

Australian black opal is recognized as being the best quality gemstone opal in the world. You really need to think about that for a while. Obviously there is beautiful opal found in not just Coober Pedy but in different parts of the world.

Opal is found in all corners of the earth and has been known for many hundreds of years before it was found in Australia. Louis Leakey, an anthropologist in Kenya, found opal which had been worked by early artisans as long ago as 6,000 years.

Today there are still deposits of opal found in Hungary, Germany, Russia and other European countries as well as North and South America and Africa.

Many African states are finding deposits of opal. There is opal found in most continents and many countries but the deposits are small and the quality of opal is not good. In Australia the quantity is huge and the quality is magnificent at the top end.

I guess what experts mean is that if you are looking for the very best gemstone opal then you will most likely be talking about the black opal.

I have seen a million dollars worth of gemstone black opal held in the palm of a miner's hand. But I have also seen truckloads of worthless opal.

Another thing that I like about opal is that you don't have to be rich to have a nice piece of opal jewelry. You can choose to purchase a lower quality solid opal and have it set into a lovely setting and it will still look great even though it might not have the stunning colors of more expensive opal. It often will have some exciting character about it.

Alternatively, you can choose a doublet or a triplet which will often need a little more care as it is made from two or three pieces but will be mostly bright and flashy at a very affordable price.

Sometimes you will find potch with lines of bright opal within it and this will be cheap and will make splendid opal jewelry, particularly opal pendants rather than opal earrings or rings for a small amount of money.

Opal Jewelry - The Ultimate Collection

Opal Necklace is a brilliant gemstone whose shades embrace just about every hue of color imaginable. Each stone portrays a different color scheme making it truly unique and marvelous to look at. This one fact along with the beautiful and shimmering hues of color the opal produces makes this one of the most collectible and magnificent gemstones in the world today. Because of its distinct and entrancing qualities, opal jewelry is highly sought after by collectors and fashion enthusiasts, as well as people from all walks of life looking for a dazzling and intriguing gemstone.

The opal has a long history full of superstitious beliefs and myths. Many cultures from around the world believe that the opal is magical and brings the owner good fortune. Opal jewelry worn by the ancient Romans symbolized purity and hope and it was thought to bring its wearer good luck. In ancient Greece, opal jewelry was believed to give its wearer the ability to prophesize and foresee the future. The ancient Greeks also believed that the opal brought about good luck and fortune to its wearer. However, the opal was not always thought of as a good luck symbol. in 19th century Europe, the opal was believed to have been the official stone of both thieves and robbers. It was also believed that bad luck would follow the person who possessed such a stone. To fuel these myths even further, in the 19th century novel "Anne of Geierstein", by Sir Walter Scott the opal was unjustly labeled as the gemstone that caused misfortune and bad luck to its owners. Either way, the opal has a long history behind it and has caused a lasting impression on a society that has idolized its marvelous qualities for years.

Today, opal jewelry has gained a very broad following by people interested in its brilliance and beauty as a jewelry piece. The popularity of opal jewelry is once again on the rise as many have become entranced by the magnificent color displays that the opal produces. Although the opal is classified as a semi-precious stone, some varieties of the opal are extremely rare and expensive. For instance, the black opal can cost as much as a diamond and is the rarest of the bunch. Generally, opals have a wide price range and a lot has to do with the color and clarity of the gemstone, as well as the integrity. For instance, red opals are usually more expensive than the more abundant blue opals. Doublet or triplet opal jewelry, classified as a piece of opal that is sandwiched between two other materials is usually less expensive than the solid opal pieces. Whether you decide on a rare black opal jewelry piece or a less expensive variety, one that is set in gold or silver, or embellished with other gemstones, rest assured that all opal gemstones are unique and beautiful treasures displaying multitudes of color.

People throughout time have been fascinated and captured by the iridescent colors of opal jewelry. Good luck or bad luck notwithstanding, these multicolored gemstones are worthy and desirable additions to any wardrobe. A person should not be blamed for thinking that wearing opal jewelry, whether it is a necklace, a bracelet, earrings or a ring is in many way just like having a piece of a rainbow close to the skin.

Opal Jewelry - Why is It So Special?

 Opal Necklace can be made into so many different items of jewellery. Sure, we all know that there are opal pendants, opal rings, opal earrings and so on, but opals, as opposed to other stones like diamonds and rubies etc, can be made into special kinds of jewelry.

There is an opal variety from Australia called Koroit and this is an unattractive type of stone when we compare it to an Australian Black Opal. It is mostly a reddish, dark brown lump of ironstone with slashes of opal running randomly through it. A jeweler cannot do much with that you might think, but simply drill a hole through it and attach a hefty chain or a cheap leather thread and it makes a gorgeous chunky necklace and it looks great on men as well as women.

Then there is boulder opal which often comes as a piece of opal connected naturally to a piece of ironstone or sandstone. The opal stone is undulating and may not have any of the fire associated with gem quality opal but when we look at it closely it has a pattern that might look like a seascape or a view of a mountain range or all kinds of other things. It might be the kind of thing you just like to stare at and imagine seeing all kinds of things in. Try doing that to a diamond! The beauty of a piece like this is that it is not gem quality and is very inexpensive.

I love jewelry like that because not only is it cheap to purchase but when you wear it people ask questions about it and they want to have a close up inspection of it. It is a great conversation starter. You never get people asking you if they can they have a look at your topaz ring. They never say: "Oh, where did you get that ring?" But with a $40 necklace of cheap Koroit or Boulder Opal you will get strangers asking what sort of stone it is and where did it come from.

Then there is one of my favorites Opal Inlay Jewelry. Beautiful pieces of crystal opal are set into the metal of rings, earrings and pendants. The opal is finished off flush with the surrounding metal. We often see this with boring stones such as Onyx and other lame looking minerals with very little color. But, when you make inlay opal jewelry normally you would use high quality opal and the results are fantastic.

You can put nearly any other gemstone next to opal it and it will enhance the piece of jewelry. Opals with diamond accents will always look stunning. Conversely, you can have a pink topaz or emerald main stone with inlay opals on each side and you have a brilliant item of jewelry then.

Opals can be inlayed, prong set or bezel set. They can be glued in place where as other stones will not appear attractive this way.

One comforting aspect of opal jewelry is that the stone will be mined by lonely men or husband and wife teams living in harsh conditions in outback Australia. There are no big companies involved and there is no forced labor here. It is a labor of love. Think about the cutting of rubies and other stones which is often done by children who should be at school. I am an opal cutter and although it is labor intensive I enjoy doing it and I have never met an opal cutter who is not passionate about opals so there is a kind of love attached to these stones all the way through from the man underground in the middle of nowhere to the wife or enthusiast carefully cutting and polishing the stone.

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!

Opal Jewelry -- Your Own Personal Piece of Rainbow

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.

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.