Help with type of opal.

Discussion in 'Jewelry' started by Zeppelin78, Dec 28, 2017.

  1. Zeppelin78

    Zeppelin78 Well-Known Member

    image.jpeg image.jpeg Hello everyone I was hopeing than someone can give me info on this rough opal its full of every color a opal could have in the right light could get a good pic for some reason its about 25mm and is about 10 grams in weight any info would be great. Ps is it worth maybe cutting and polishing image.jpeg image.jpeg
     
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  2. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

  3. Hollyblue

    Hollyblue Well-Known Member

    Looks like it might be a Ethiopian Welo black opal,but with the grainy photos and not seeing it hand no one can see if it is worth cutting.It does show a number of cracks in the photos.
     
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  4. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    OOOOOOH!!!! That first full image of it sure looks like it could have some nice potential!!!! But what I actually know about black gorgeous opals you could put in a pinprick on top of my pinky nail!!!!!!! I would say you need to take it to the RIGHT Professionals/Experts!!! BEST of LUCK with it!!!!!
     
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  5. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Agree, could be a black Welo (Wollo) opal, of the hydrophane kind.
    Most Welos are hydrophane, which means they contain more water than 'regular' opals. That also makes them fragile, which, along with the cracks, could be a real problem if you want to cut this lovely. Some are dyed, btw.
    I would advise you to leave it as it is.

    Here is some info on the determination of hydrophane:
    https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/FA13-LN-technique-hydrophane-opal

    On hydrophane Welo opals, how to cut them, and the danger of (further) cracking:
    https://www.opalauctions.com/learn/a-z-of-opals/hydrophane-opal-information
     
    Last edited: Dec 29, 2017
  6. Marko

    Marko Well-Known Member

    I had an Andamooka (not sure of spelling) opal ring. It was gray like that and had the same sparkles.
     
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  7. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Perfect spelling, Marko. But it probably wasn't as jelly-like.
    Andamookas are beautiful, often top opals.
     
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  8. bobsyouruncle

    bobsyouruncle Well-Known Member

    I've seen one like this that the owner had put into a snow globe type of glass..it looked fantastic as it was also magnified by the water
     
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  9. Marko

    Marko Well-Known Member

    My andamooka opal was set in a sterling ring and I found it at an antique mall for $16. When I took it to the register, the lady wanted to buy it, I said no, it's mine.
    I posted it the jewelry boards on ebay, and some lady contacted me wanting to buy it. She perisisted until I did; she offered me $275, done deal, sold it on ebay to her, buy it now. That opal resembled this, somebody said Andamooka matirx opal?
    andamooka.jpg
     
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  10. Zeppelin78

    Zeppelin78 Well-Known Member

    Wow Marko that a very nice opal I have always been into them that's kinda why I wanted to get mine cut down and polished but not sure if I ever will but who knows thanks for your post ..matt
     
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  11. Hollyblue

    Hollyblue Well-Known Member

    @ Zeppelin78

    You could cut and polish it yourself...............
     
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  12. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Yes, an Andamooka matrix opal. If the matrix of yours was like this one, it was untreated, which is good. Wow, $275, you did well.
    Here are some prices of Andamooka opals, including matrix opals:
    https://www.opalauctions.com/auctions/andamooka-opal/
     
  13. Marko

    Marko Well-Known Member

    Opal Close (640x531).jpg
    The setting on the ring was a type of filigree surrounding the opal....it was just her finger size, too, that played into it.....she just had to have it. I did have a picture of it!
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2018
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  14. Hollyblue

    Hollyblue Well-Known Member

    Specks of opal in limestone,soaked in a heavy sugar solution and then "cooked" in heated sulfuric acid for a while.
     
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  15. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Very pretty, lovely colours, but I agree with Holly, it looks like a treated matrix opal.
    So you did really well.
     
    kyratango likes this.
  16. Marko

    Marko Well-Known Member

    I will take a $250 profit anytime.
     
    kyratango and Any Jewelry like this.
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