- Fire type: harlequin (which type?), flash, broadflash, large or
small
pin, combinations, or?
- Colors: red (which type, magenta, etc.), green, blue, purple, gold,
etc. predominance, combinations.
- Base color: black, grey, degree of blackness, crystal, jelly, white,
offwhite, yellow, brown, etc.
- Thickness of the color bar, consistency all around the piece,
interplay of the various color bars, top or side cutting.
- Brilliance.
- Equipment, etc: High speed, low speed, diamond vs
Carborundum. How you handled the opal when grinding. Heat and amount of water used in
cutting.
- Your skill: hobbyist, beginner, intermediate, expert, designer,
dealer.
- What you want to do with the opal: standard cabs, free form,
inlay, composites, doublets, triplets.
- Source: fields, depth of mining, methods of mining: Buy nothing
from New Field at Coober Pedy area or Mehi at Lightning Ridge. It helps to know your supplier.
- Storage and transport methods: (Safe deposit boxes are not safe
for opal when left dry. Call for an explanation.)
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have a handout that details these factors. For $3.00 we will send you
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WHAT IS OPAL WORTH?
We are of the opinion that opal is one of the last few gemstones readily available to
the general public in the rough, where the major profit goes to the cutter.
We are still seeing significant increases in the value of some grades of opal over short
periods of time; therefore, rough opals are good investments. But, buy them right, shop
around, compare FACTORS as listed above. Do your homework and you will be
rewarded.
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REQUESTS FOR APPRAISAL OF OPALS
We have had numerous requests for us to appraise stones that might be opals over the Internet.
All fine stones must be physically examined by a competent appraiser in order for you to receive
a
current and honest replacement price. There are pseudo opals from Mexico, painted foil with a
quartz or glass top that are usually set in an enclosed silver setting. Gilson Opal is man made
opal that will withstand heat to 1600-1700F. Other man made opals better described as opal
simulants abound, they may be made of a combination of silica and polymers. There are
doublets,
triplets and composites. OPAL made by MOTHER NATURE comes from all over the world
and
can cost from cents a gram to thousands of dollars a carat. An appraisal reflecting fair
replacement price must be a hands on examination by a competent opal appraiser. This cannot
be
done over the Internet nor with pictures. We have a GIA Graduate Gemologist on staff. He will
do a written appraisal for $30-50 per stone plus return postage and insurance. Lot values are
done on an hourly basis. Please allow plenty of time and insure your stones yourself. We do not
insure them and will not be liable in any way.
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OPAL - YOUR PERSONAL RAINBOW©
OPAL - GEM FOR THE NEW
MILLENNIUM©
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