topic Re: OPAL Needs Set in Jewelry

OPAL Needs Set

cheriere — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 20:16:27 GMT

I've always LOVED & collected Opals, so in 2012 I purchased this loose 12x10mm in hopes of having it set into a creative mounting. Just wondering if anyone has suggestions in regards to what they may choose? Thanks💝

Re: OPAL Needs Set

Pezzie — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 20:59:06 GMT

@cheriere I don't have any suggestions, but that sure is a pretty opal and I encourage you to get it set, so you can start wearing and enjoying it. Nothing wrong with looking at the loose opal, but definitely more fun adorning your finger!

You reminded me of my opal ring that I haven't worn in a long time. It's set in yellow gold, and I've been wearing mostly silver now, but I should follow my own advice and let it adorn my finger soon.

Re: OPAL Needs Set

cheriere — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 22:23:35 GMT

@Pezzie

Thank you so much.💝🌸. This was my very first like this. Lol, I forget I have it because it's inside its case and tucked into a jewelry box. I really do want to have it made into a ring.

At the time, I thought I'd get my jeweler to make a creative yellow gold setting for it. Now, I'd be happy just to have it in something plain, just so I can wear it.

Re: OPAL Needs Set

Shanus — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 21:06:24 GMT

@cheriere I'd set the opal in a necklace. The stone can be too fragile to put in a ring. I've had two in rings and both cracked rather easily.

Re: OPAL Needs Set

Kachina624 — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 21:07:36 GMT

@cheriere. Beautiful stone. I'd take it to an independent jeweler who has a good silver/goldsmith. You'll probably have to go to a city. They can discuss options with you.

Re: OPAL Needs Set

cheriere — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 21:12:15 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
@cheriere I'd set the opal in a necklace. The stone can be too fragile to put in a ring. I've had two in rings and both cracked rather easily.

Thanks for suggesting this. I had considered a necklace because I don't have an opal solitaire style.

Im sorry to hear you had problems with cracking stones. That would break my heart.💝🌸

Re: OPAL Needs Set

Kachina624 — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 21:13:53 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
@cheriere I'd set the opal in a necklace. The stone can be too fragile to put in a ring. I've had two in rings and both cracked rather easily.

@Shanus. Ethiopian opals are not nearly as fragile as Australian opals and are not water based. I wear mine all the time while my Australian opal ring rests in its box.

@cheriere. Don't ever soak your stone in water. I've heard people say they did and it ruined the color.

Re: OPAL Needs Set

Nightowlz — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 21:16:24 GMT

Bezel setting.

Re: OPAL Needs Set

cheriere — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 21:19:39 GMT

@Kachina624

Thank you 💝🌸. I dug it out the other day after you posted all of those amazing opals lol.
Even though mine's nowhere near those, I do like it more than my other larger opal.

There's actually a great jeweler here who's made a couple pieces for me, but it's been years ago. It frightens me the prices he charge to do a big, weighty piece like I'd want lol. Heck, the price of a thin plain gold semi mount online was crazy. But, since I'm gonna be spending money I should just get it in what I like instead of what's cheaper.

Re: OPAL Needs Set

cheriere — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 21:21:35 GMT

@Nightowlz

That's Beautiful 😍❤️. I like this bezel setting very much! Thanks for posting this.🌸

Re: OPAL Needs Set

Kachina624 — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 21:33:38 GMT

@cheriere wrote:
@Kachina624

Thank you 💝🌸. I dug it out the other day after you posted all of those amazing opals lol.
Even though mine's nowhere near those, I do like it more than my other larger opal.

There's actually a great jeweler here who's made a couple pieces for me, but it's been years ago. It frightens me the prices he charge to do a big, weighty piece like I'd want lol. Heck, the price of a thin plain gold semi mount online was crazy. But, since I'm gonna be spending money I should just get it in what I like instead of what's cheaper.

@cheriere. I agree as you'll hopefully wear it a long time, and often since it will go with everything. A little sparkle in the form of a couple diamonds or zircon do a lot for a stone too. I have a 18 pt diamond on either side of my Australian opal and they really jazz it up.

When I lived in Houston, a friend and I used to go to the International Gem and Jewelry shows in the Astrodome complex. Hundred of vendors.

You could buy a stone at one booth then go to another and choose a setting and they'd set it for you. Those were my fun days! We'd spend all weekend there. Gold was cheap and great prices on stones.

Re: OPAL Needs Set

Nightowlz — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 21:34:29 GMT

@cheriere wrote:
@Nightowlz

That's Beautiful 😍❤️. I like this bezel setting very much! Thanks for posting this.🌸

@cheriere

It will let the light in to enhance the opal.

Re: OPAL Needs Set

MJDinVegas — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 22:07:46 GMT

Hi, @cheriere ! Like you, i love opals and have a few in my collection. The first one I bought on my first trip to Australia in the late 80s, It's a teardrop featuring blue and green that I had set into a pin/pendant with the diamonds from my first wedding set. The others were purchased as pieces of jewelry during subsequent trips (I used to travel there a lot on business. The largest is a pendant, the inverted triangle is an enhancer and both of these are set with diamonds. The last are bezel set with white south seas pearls in a pair of earrings.

I'll post pictures but it may take me several posts.

Re: OPAL Needs Set

MJDinVegas — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 22:04:26 GMT

Re: OPAL Needs Set

MJDinVegas — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 22:04:56 GMT

Re: OPAL Needs Set

MJDinVegas — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 22:05:49 GMT

In natural light, these look pink.

Re: OPAL Needs Set

cheriere — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 22:11:36 GMT

@MJDinVegas

You're OPALS are EXTRAORDINARY!!! I LOVE ❤️ each and every piece you posted!!! What Stunning, Unique Designs! I LOVE ❤️ everything about each of them!

Thank you so, so very much for sharing these!💝🌸

Re: OPAL Needs Set

MJDinVegas — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 22:13:36 GMT

@cheriere , you're welcome. I enjoy letting these pieces out of the safe into the light of day and to share their beauty with others! I've been very fortunate to collect such pieces.

Re: OPAL Needs Set

cheriere — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 22:17:23 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:

@cheriere wrote:
@Kachina624

Thank you 💝🌸. I dug it out the other day after you posted all of those amazing opals lol.
Even though mine's nowhere near those, I do like it more than my other larger opal.

There's actually a great jeweler here who's made a couple pieces for me, but it's been years ago. It frightens me the prices he charge to do a big, weighty piece like I'd want lol. Heck, the price of a thin plain gold semi mount online was crazy. But, since I'm gonna be spending money I should just get it in what I like instead of what's cheaper.
@cheriere. I agree as you'll hopefully wear it a long time, and often since it will go with everything. A little sparkle in the form of a couple diamonds or zircon do a lot for a stone too. I have a 18 pt diamond on either side of my Australian opal and they really jazz it up.

When I lived in Houston, a friend and I used to go to the International Gem and Jewelry shows in the Astrodome complex. Hundred of vendors.

You could buy a stone at one booth then go to another and choose a setting and they'd set it for you. Those were my fun days! We'd spend all weekend there. Gold was cheap and great prices on stones.

I'd fall in LOVE ❤️ at an event like that! However, the last ring I had created was back when Gold was very cheap too in the early 2000s. I love big, bold styles. I've been stashing a little loot back for having this ring made. Well, actually, I've got a pear cut morganite that needs set too, but this opal takes precedence lol.

Ive learned my lesson in buying loose stones these days. It costs more in the long run.

Re: OPAL Needs Set

SilleeMee — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 22:33:57 GMT

East-west bezel with rope edge.