Posted 11 years ago
kulektor
(11 items)
This opal was a gift from a dear friend more than a couple of decades ago. The opal measures 13cm x 18cm and is either 6/8 carats (I forget). My friend bought a couple hundred when he was in Australia back in 1969/70. He gifted me a lose stone and I had it set in 18k. As much as I love the ring, I do not wear it much anymore. A few days ago I decided to take a few pics in natural daylight and see if it still popped as it used too. Must say still does, but needs a polish. Frankly am scared to let anyone do it. After 20+years I had better decide to either polish or take the stone out of the setting and do something with the gold.
When I was gifted the stone it had a black card which read Lightning Ridge Black Opal, but have since been told it is from another mine. Either way, it still does what a good opal should do.
Question for any opal people.. Can any lapidarist lapidary polish this opal or do I need an opal specialsit?
Thanks,
Eddie
Take to an opal expert. It's too delicate a stone to mess with. I am in the business.
Thank you all for the love....
Moonstone, I thought that might be what needs to be done. Would hate anything bad happening to it. Will have to find one in the city.
it looks like a really great Lighting Ridge opal to me, but i'm not a gemologist. i just dug a few opals and bought a few nice ones for my folks when i lived in australia.
Than you all for the love.
ho2cultcha, I would hope it is a Lightning, but like you I am not a gemologist. Rural living makes it a bit hard to find opal experts. A trip to the city will be the only way to find an opal expert who knows how to polish. A couple years back I did have a guy on the net offer to polish it for free. All I had to do was send it to him in Australia, I politely refused.
http://www.opalsdownunder.com.au/learn-about-opals/introductory/how-care-opals
More tips :- I've heard of the water milk bath before .
http://szelesibeata.hubpages.com/hub/opaljewelrycarebasics
Thank you, ozmarty. appreciate all the info.
Thank you kyra. :)
Wow ! Gorgeous piece !!!
Thank you Hedgewalker
This looks like a beautiful gem-class Andamooka opal to me. A true beauty!