OPAL WITH FLAWS...

LOVE or HATE the 'Natural Flaw'... In any kind of gemstone, there's always something that won't allow the piece to be called PERFECT'. Have look at these opal loose stones!




As you can clearly see each comes with some clouded areas, dark lines, sand spots and non-colored parts...


But, that doesn't mean they are not beautiful or they are worth nothing. They are just not perfect, just like every human beings. With less flaws, it could usually be more valuable, more popular.....   but not as fun or unique!!

Some prefers opal with some kind of special 'CHARACTERS' so that they feel their opal is more memorable. And I do believe opals with a little detail (such as flaws or potch lines or sand spots, etc) can be more interesting to look at!!

What's your personal opinion?

xxxx     Malayvone

  

Triplet Opal

I’ve just realized that I haven’t really explained about man-made opal in this blog…

So today, I would like to talk about “Triplet Opal”.

According to the website of Opal association, Triplet Opal is “Thin slice of precious opal glued between crystal cap on top and black backing.”

In today’s market, some opal dealers introduce those Triplet opals as “Gem quality Triplet Opal” or “Authorized Opal”.

To be recognized as a gemstone, each mineral must be beautiful, rare as well as hard and last for a long time. Of course it must have formed  in nature with no assistance from humans. Therefore, I have to say, Triplet Opal is not accepted as a gemstone because they are made most of plastic with very thin slice of white opal. Of course, the beauty doesn’t last forever.

In a few years, the colour will start to fade away because water goes into the part which is glued. Also, the surface of Triplet Opal will get scratches due to being used a soft plastic cap.

Talking about a phrase, “Authorized Opal”, whoever has authorized “Triplet Opal”, the quality of Triplet Opal will never change…

I’ve seen a catch copy, “With just a little extra care of your triplet opal ring, you can enjoy the look of a solid gem opal”, on one of the internet shopping site. For me, it is nonsense…

Apparently, anyone will never confuse the beauty of Solid Opal with the one of Triplet Opal…

In conclusion,

“Triplet Opal is not a gemstone!!”

“You can’t wear Triplet Opal jewelry for a long time!!”

Triplet Opal is good for just an accessory because you can have good colour opal without spending much, but the value as a gem is much less than solid opal.

Please be sure about that…

If you would like to study more about man-made opal, click here.

See you next time!! xxx

Mayu

To trace a diamond and a black opal

Have you ever watched the movie named "Blood Diamond", starring by Leonardo Dicaprio?
You might know about the horrific atrocities in Sierra Leone and the long suffering of the people of Angola, and the movie is about "Conflict Diamond" , which have helped to sustain those African conflicts since the end of the Cold War.

Today, The international diamond industry has already taken steps to increase the diamond industry's ability to block conflict diamonds from reaching market. Although, their origin is difficult to trace and once polished, they can no longer be identified. This is a fact which we all have to think to encourage real peace.

Talking about Opal, it is not very difficult to tell "where they come from" on Black Opal. Because the field where we can find them is extremely limited, and also the annual ammount of black opal minded in that area is only a small.

So don't worry! There is no "Blood" when we mine Black Opal!!
(However, there is another problem for miners and opal dealers...)

Have a lovely evening...xxx
Mayu

Natural "HEART SHAPE"....

         

What an interesting FORM !!!


Have a look at this lovely BLACK OPAL in its NATURAL HEART SHAPE.



As you may already know how rare to find a quality piece with full face of color in Black Opal from Lightning Ridge, just like a picture showing here.....

It is already difficult to find one piece with bright color, so it's naturally very rare to find a beautiful piece with a good proportion ( ie. rounded / oval shape with high cabochon / domed ) as well !!!

But quality gemstone is desired to be kept in its maximum carat weight for its value, so to keep it as large as possible, sometimes you have no choice but to enjoy its natural shape like this!
This Black Opal has turned out to be in this shape simply because that's what opal cutter has left with, after chipping the sand clay & polished it to get only the colorful area.

It might not be how opal collector wanted it to be at the beginning, but nobody wants to lose its carat weights too..... therefore, here you are, not perfect but one can learn to LOVE this SHAPE!!!


This piece is just for someone who has a BIG HEART.
Enjoy your evening....   (^^)


xxxx   Malayvone

TOP CLASS OR NOT??

Why not 'BLUE' or other colors, instead of 'RED'...  ??????!!!!!???


There are many opal admires looking for the best quality in Australian Black opal and often ask me for "RED ON BLACK".

Yes, I do understand that VIVID RED COLOR is extra-ordinary, very rare and special if it's RED ON BLACK!!!

It's just difficult to explain to some opal admirs that there are not many GOOD RED available today and that sometimes other colors like vibrant Blue or Green can be as precious as Red...

Yet, some customers would still refuse to see other colors because they were told (by opal dealers) that RED is the only color that has good value. Really??

Like a picture here "Solid, Australian Balck opal loose", this is a top range in BLUE / PURPLE on black body, and I can assure you it's extremely precious & beautiful !!!!!!


Only those who can touch this will be LUCKY and HAPPY, and soon they'll learn to understand or see how lovely other colors are available to invest.
Please see our WEB  for more.....



xxxx   Malayvone