Featured Friends, not sure if this opal ring is an opal or a doublet/triplet

Friends, I bought this lovely ring as I had a hankerin' for an opal.
I asked the seller if it was a whole opal, a doublet or a triplet before I bought it and they assured me it was a whole opal.
I have no reason to disbelieve them, they are a jewellers so I agree they know more than I do. BUT I am not sure now I have it in hand.

I know it's impossible to tell from pics but just wondered if anyone had any tips for me to find out?

I saw the pics before I bought it and didn't think to ask if the back was open
I'd be a lot more comfortable if I could actually see the back.
I've louped all over and I'm none the wiser. I can't see any division or blackness. I just wasn't expecting the closed back.
These are the sellers pics.
Thank you friends xxx
If anyone has any idea I'd be very grateful x




I don't want a triplet or a doublet so if I find out it is one I'll send it back xx

Thank you everyone <3 ​

 

As you do. It is very sweet, and a nice stone.
The general rule is, if it is a solid opal, the back of the setting is open so you can see the back of the stone. You don't show yours, is it closed?

 

So sorry my lovely, I though I had a pic of the back...yes it's closed. xxx
I had a quick google and I saw some solid opals have closed backs but it does give me pause.

 

When I look at this photo, I think I see a slightly domed transparant top layer. That would mean it is a triplet.
Can you check if it is transparant? Look at it from the side.

 

Very pretty elegant ring. I wouldn’t know but can you take it to a jeweller to ask?

 

I totally see what you mean. It feels a bit weird as well, not stone-y and I know what that means!
Thank you so much my lovely. I'll send her back as I am not utterly sure and not totally in as much love as I would be if I KNEW!

Thank you again as always <3 xxx

 

I s'pose I could, that IS a good idea...but I am so lazy and I never go to town ( too people-y though there are often doggoes to counteract that but not enough to make it worthwhile!) xx

 

There will be others, and maybe more lovely than this one.

 

If you are in doubt then get it checked. Otherwise you will always wonder if it is what it is meant to be. If you want to return it get it checked now or it will be too late
I’m sure there will be Doggos out there to counteract the iffy people

 

Totally the way I see it <3 thank you as ever xxx

 

I'm just going to send it back I think, K...there's plenty more opals out there and I am quite prepared to meet a new one xx

 

It has a very low profile, so I would be surprised if it were a triplet. As @Any Jewelry says, look at it edge on with a loupe, if there is a distinct top layer which is transparent or translucent without any sparkle then that suggests it's a doublet.

I know many people don't like the idea of a doublet, but they can be a good for an inexpensive opal ring you plan to wear a lot. The top layer can extend the life of the opal, and it will be cheaper to replace. If you do a lot of manual work including housework you may only get 5-10 years out of an everyday wear opal.

 

I've had a good loupe all over and can't see anything untoward but it's also a bit abraded ( which probably means it's not covered actually) and I just don't love her. The seller has accepted the return with no hassle so it's all good xxx
Thanks everyone xxx

 

learned something new again. I honestly had never heard of a triplet and a doublet opal. I knew that some opals were not solid opals but didn't know what they meant. now I need to go look at all my opal jewlery with a new eye. I think i have a loose opal with the black layer glued to the bottom. Now if I can just find it!

 

Agree, it looks that way to me as well.

 

Great photos and lovely ring.

 

Sellers pics and no longer my ring! xx

 

Okey Dokey.

 

Most stones can get abraded including rubies/sapphires.In the past triplet caps were made of glass,quartz and sapphire.Modern inexpensive doublets and triplets can have plastic caps.

 

these are nice....but doublets...