Well, we don't want yall to go on blind, spend way too much on a ring, all for the ring to break or for the stone to fall out😂 This woman is a life saver😂
Clearly this woman don’t know that Australian sedimentary opal is stable, strong and don’t take in water . Unlike the rest of the world with volcanic opal that takes in water and if it dries out too much it will crack. Australian Opal set in jewellery from the early 1800s found in some English homes are still strong and going.
@@ghost_anna_reads787 my Plan would have been to incorperate it into an artwork or something like that or wear it in places where it doesnt get scratched. But that's all fictional till now, since I don't plan on getting married any time soon, partially because I have no one to marry. Tho for tax reasons I wouldn't mind marrying one of my friends
@@Talvi_Sota the problem is that an opal needs to be treated. If it is a cut opal gem meant for jewelry, it needs a water bath at minimum once a year depending on its size. Plus it has to be distilled water or it will get cloudy. That is what that local gemstone lover told me and so far, his logic has worked.
Imagine someone who never seen an opal ask why it's called an opal and what do they look like and the answer they get is: Because of its opalescence qualities.
I mean it's just like if someone never saw a pearl, I'm sure they've still heard the word pearlescent to describe other things. Opalescent just refers to the way something plays with light in a way that resembles the stone, like how a pearlized paint resembles the finish of a pearl!
@nataliebutler Yeah, that's my feeling. I don't want the symbol of my love and commitment to my partner to be so fragile, and I don't just plan on wearing only my wedding band everyday either. I will never understand the comments acting like she's trying to sell us something. If yall wanna get scammed, go buy a diamond for full price at zales😂 She's just telling us how to make the most of our purchase and how to have a beautiful long lasting ring, and that's what I'm looking for!
Clearly this woman don’t know that Australian sedimentary opal is stable, strong and don’t take in water . Unlike the rest of the world with volcanic opal that takes in water and if it dries out too much it will crack. Australian Opal set in jewellery from the early 1800s found in some English homes are still strong and going.
@@johnh8615exactly. The majority of my jewelry collection consists of opal. All of which has last through much use. Especially my Australian opal ring my husband bought for our anniversary, that I've worn daily for years.
That's straight up a completely different stone. I feel like this is the equivalent of being like "a hummer is a great alternative when you're looking for a Prius"
Haha if it was the same stone…it would also be called an opal😂 I would say this is more like a Prius vs a Corolla hybrid. You’re going to have a hard time finding anything more reminiscent to an opal than an opalescent sapphire without actually being an opal. An alternative is not an exact replica 😁.
Opal is my FAVORITE. I love colors, never had a favorite, and luckily Opal is also my birthstone! I also love moissonite for that reason but I also love mother of pearl and different minerals with insane colors like rainbow hematite! But that Opalescent Saphire though!!❤❤❤ I've never heard of it but am now going to go find it!
Opal is my birthstone and i cut it for fun. In almost four years I have about 500 stones and have a lot of rough. These are worth a lot more than you think. they're all Australian, and I'm proud to be able to create with such a precious,beautiful life altering stone. It's so valuable that Diamonds can't touch it. Not just in cost,but in beauty.
@@lavendermayo9670 if anyone's relationship depends on a rock it's not worth it. I sell gemstones myself and I would never pedal love relying on a stone.
@@JoshuaLevigemsit depends how you treat your stone. If you don’t do much with your hands eg. An office job. Take it off for anything manual such as washing the dishes or gardening. And are generally just careful. Or you choose not to wear your ring daily, maybe only for special occasions or days wear you’re not working (which isn’t traditional for engagement rings). Most people don’t want to be this careful about their rings they wear daily and forget they’re wearing it. If you’re rougher with your ring and have a manual/hands on job you're gonna risk it a lot more. It'll last a lot longer.
Thank you! I love opals for the almost iridescent quality they can hold, and you gave me a more than satisfactory alternative! You’re such an inspiration!
Don't forget the toxic material and the child slave labor that comes from fake opals. The narrator sells fake jewelry at high prices, that's why she made up this bogus claim.
My mom HATED my industrial until I dragged her to the piercing studio to pick out jewelry she liked. She saw a pretty/feminine fake opal option and hasn't complained about me "ruining my ears" ever since 😂
Yes! I love shiny stones and feel like faceted stones are almost...cheating? Like i don't want fancy cuts to make a pretty stone, i want the stone to be pretty on its own.
Wow... Someone make her watch Black Opal Direct. Not all opals are that fragile. Yes, they're lower down on the Mohs scale, but good quality opal, especially Australian opal shouldn't have the same sort of weaknesses she describes.
Agreed. Plus my jeweler told me that gentle water exposure is good for avoiding it from drying out(?). I was told drastic temp changes and harsh chemical exposure are both no-go’s above all.
every time i hear “inclusions” my mind immediately goes to houseki no kuni 😂 its beautiful manga series about gemstones and what it means to be human, i definitely recommend it
I have an Australian opal wedding ring and my jeweler told me that water exposure every once in a while is good for it because it avoids it from drying out and cracking. It’s more about the drastic temp changes and chemical exposure above all. The hardness scale is something I still take into consideration, though. I still take the ring off for showering, house-cleaning, and while I sleep. But it’s worth rocking this amazing rock ✨
I know people are like "it's weak", but I've owned an opal ring my grandmother gave me when I was 14. I'm in my mid thirties and it's going strong. Are people trying to use their rings to open things????
This depends on a lot. Like the size & type of opal. How stable it is plays in quite a bit.. also, some opals like Mintabe opal can be harder than a steel file (a friend scratched one at 7.7.. usually 6.5-7.2 from what I've seen though).
My engagement ring was a cheap ring from Etsy that had a pink quartz in it. One day, as I'm walking my dog, he gets in a fight with another dog. Upon trying to break up the fight, like an idiot, I stick my hand in to grab my dog's collar and get my hand bitten. The other dog had bitten right on my engagement ring causing it to burrow into my finger. I had to go to a and e to get it removed. It was clear that if I didn't have that engagement ring on I would have lost my finger. I still have that engagement ring in a box. I love it so much not just as a symbol of my husband's love but also as a memory of how it saved my finger. Long story short engagement rings are a scam, sentimental jewellery trumps all.
Upto 7 on mors scale for Australian opal. It is the most stable opal matrix on the planet. However compared to diamond (10), and sapphires etc (8-9), it is not as durable or impervious to knocks and bangs.
I agree that opal doesn't behave well in rings, and I didn't knew that opalescent sapphire... but I don't really agree that they are good alternative. I don't think there is good alternative to precious opal at all.
Haha yes certainly nothing behaves identically to the beauty of opals. Otherwise they’d be called opals 😄 but the opalescent effect of these sapphires is the closest you can really get with a stone that is also durable which is a request I get very often!
I have one that represents all my passed birdies' colours on my urn pendant that practically never leaves my skin, it goes through EVERYTHING with me. It's on a choker, so it gets way less physical impact on it than if it was on a ring or long necklace, but I do believe it's lost a touch of its luster over time. Opals being delicate is no joke!
My engagment ring is opal. I love opal and have an opal neckless that was my grandmothers, passed down to my mom and then to me. I've never taken off my neckless in over 10 years, and it's still perfect. When my fiance got my engagment ring, he made sure to get the protection plan on it just in case. So far, I've been wearing it every day since july, and it's now november. I take it off at night and when i shower. I live in florida, so very humid, which helps keep opals from drying out.
Isn’t part of the reason opal might be selected because of the traditional properties and traditions associated with it? Or because it’s an actual birthstone? I feel if someone chose opal as the stone then it is probably because of some sentimental significance rather than practicality. Just my thoughts as I watched this.
I love my opal ring, though it isn't my engagement ring and not a daily wear. I also love emeralds and sapphires, but in their deep common colors (green and deep blue).
So most opals from sedimentary sources, sure. But are the Ethiopian opals, which are volcanic in nature, still as susceptible to water and temperature changes too?
Ethiopian opals are the ones that are sensitive to water. Look into Australian opals, which are much tougher against heat and love water. They also have a much more amazing color and flash.
Oh wow my fiance got me the blue one as an engagement ring (identical design). A bit smaller, which funnily works. He wanted a bigger stone but it was sold out and he wanted to propose for Christmas (2020) so he got the smaller. He was soooo nervous about getting me a smallish stone (although it wasn’t tiny), but surprise surprise it was the max size I wear, so absolutely perfection.
I suppose a necklace (even a pendant), or brooch, would be a good pick for opals. Now I'm trying to think if I have heard of royal families with an opal _tiara..._ 🤔
It's not necessary to avoid them, although I can see it in the specific case of engagement rings, opals and other such softer gems as well as hard organic materials such as pearls, ivory, bone, coral, urushi lacquer or wood fair a lot better as pendants or earrings, maybe rings as well if they're for occasional use rather than worn at all times, knowing this they probably won't give you any trouble and will live as long a life as any other jewel.
Planning to study geology, so I hope that whenever I get a partner I can subtly hint at good durable engagement rings 😁 anything but a diamond...a beauty, but there's so many other gems!!! Ever since I started to take a interest in stones (around age 5) diamonds just seem less and less interesting to me
This is a bit harmlessly miss informative. All opals are indeed fragile, but there are many types of Opal from all over the world. Australian Opals are sedimentary, formed from water, and won't ever crack or haze when wet. While any other Opal is typically volcanic hydromorphic, which can be far more fragile than sedimentary Opals.
You’re right! There are different types and Australian is more durable and stable. One minute is a bit restrictive for me to get into the varieties, however my advice is still to avoid them for an engagement ring stone as they’re not durable enough, regardless of variety to withstand the beating that engagement rings take!
The best way ti take care of an opal is to dip it in clear, distilled, water once a week to once a month. It keeps them from cracking. Otherwise, in old filk tales i have been told, oplals in marriage bring nithing but tears during marriage. It is only an old saying, but the lady who has been selling me gemstones for years has had 3 marriages and each man has gifted her an opal within their first year of marriage
My engagement ring was an Opal. I only got to wear it for a few months before the stone fell out. I got the stone replaced but I have been too afraid to wear it again.
Sapphires can come in many colours, though other gems can have inclusions too. Maybe you just need to find the right sapphire? There’s also agate, which is slightly harder and can be similar in appearance, but not really “opalescent” pet se
Absolutely!!! Opal is an awful choice for a ring you will wear a llooootttt. Sapphire is a very good alternative! I've worked in jewelry for about 10 years or so. Trust me when i say shop small though. I've worked both, and big corp was a joke, i learned soooooo much in the 7 years i worked at a small family owned jewelry store.
I wanted one for my engagement ring and every jeweler we spoke to was a big fat "absolutely not". We went with black diamond instead, i wish i had known about this a year ago 😭 but hey, i adore my ring so it doesnt really matter either way lol
That would be cheap Ethiopian opal that did that for your ring more expensive Australian opal won't change like that.. GG and remember if you want quality natural opals go Australia opals
@@dragonballfan1909 Yes, it was Ethiopian opal. Can concur, also have an Australian opal ring that's held up pretty well, but set in copper, which irritates my skin if worn too long so I don't get to enjoy it as much ): Those stones are pricey tho, especially for a beautiful stone with nice fire, and each one is unique. It's just a luxury I'm not willing to spend that kinda money on, also genuinely like the look of manmade opal which costs a fraction of the price. Side note, I do think it's irresponsible for jewelry makers to use fragile hydrophane opals for rings without any disclaimer of what will happen to the stone. Moon Magic does this and so many customers complain how their stone discolors and dulls but think it's because it's fake when the problem is those stones while natural are just a terribly impractical choice for any kind of daily wear without special care.
I thought solid opal wasnt water sensitive, but that the doublet or triplets are because the risk of water penetration between layers. Can you clarify?
Ethiopian welo opal which is the most common to find in jewelery now because it’s prevalent and cheap is hydrophane opal which means it is sensitive to water (it absorbs water and oil readily into pores in the stone) but 99% of australian opal is non hydrophane, more stable, and can be stored in or out of water. Opal when properly set is not that fragile, but a lot of jewelers don’t set it correctly
Honestly it would be my dream to have an opal ring! I've tried to fall in love with harder gems but I just can't get past it... Do you have any recommendations for hard opaque gems instead?
@@BijouLab They're beautiful, but I don't know if they're similar enough to opals for me. Do you know of anything opaque that's even just a 7.5 or higher? I'm not personally a sparkly gal so I've found it hard to love the clear glittery gems. I just want something practical too, it's such a hard balance! 😅
I got an Australian Opal. They are more resistant to temperature and oil and a bit harder. I just accept the risk bc it’s worth it to me! I’d say go for it
Just make sure it is set in a metal that is weak or specific type of setting that will not bend. I just lost my opal out of a ring I got for Christmas the first day I wore it. It was there one minute and gone the next. Didn't realize it was gone until too late. Pockets are a demon for weak rings and I'm hopeful that someone in the Sephora I lost it in, found it, and can use it in something because it was too pretty to never see the light of day again.😢
Imagine proposing and she's like "bro your engagement ring is weak" 😂
😂😂
LMAO
I would have a discussion about it yeah
Well, we don't want yall to go on blind, spend way too much on a ring, all for the ring to break or for the stone to fall out😂 This woman is a life saver😂
Clearly this woman don’t know that Australian sedimentary opal is stable, strong and don’t take in water . Unlike the rest of the world with volcanic opal that takes in water and if it dries out too much it will crack. Australian Opal set in jewellery from the early 1800s found in some English homes are still strong and going.
All the alternatives are pretty but nothing compares to the dreamy magic within an Opal.
It is dreamy 🥰. Get one for an occasion ring!
If definitely wear it but not as my wedding ring
Just make sure to bathe it in distilled water once a month.
@@ghost_anna_reads787 my Plan would have been to incorperate it into an artwork or something like that or wear it in places where it doesnt get scratched.
But that's all fictional till now, since I don't plan on getting married any time soon, partially because I have no one to marry. Tho for tax reasons I wouldn't mind marrying one of my friends
@@Talvi_Sota the problem is that an opal needs to be treated. If it is a cut opal gem meant for jewelry, it needs a water bath at minimum once a year depending on its size. Plus it has to be distilled water or it will get cloudy. That is what that local gemstone lover told me and so far, his logic has worked.
That ribg with the three claws was sick. Wow. Its beautiful.
I thought so too! Sometimes triple prongs can be overwhelming but the length and size of the ovals gave the claws enough room to breathe.
Nah it looked dirty and gross
Imagine someone who never seen an opal ask why it's called an opal and what do they look like and the answer they get is: Because of its opalescence qualities.
I mean it's just like if someone never saw a pearl, I'm sure they've still heard the word pearlescent to describe other things. Opalescent just refers to the way something plays with light in a way that resembles the stone, like how a pearlized paint resembles the finish of a pearl!
Opalescense comes from opal, though. It's what we judge that characteristic on. @@heehoopeanut420
You can’t replace the fire within Opal with a sapphire. Tbh I don’t really care about how durable my engagement ring is cause it’s not wedding ring.
This. No gemstone is like opal, and the sapphire example really didn't look anything like the first stone, altho it was really pretty as well
An engagement ring is supposed to be worn for life along with your wedding ring though.
@nataliebutler Yeah, that's my feeling. I don't want the symbol of my love and commitment to my partner to be so fragile, and I don't just plan on wearing only my wedding band everyday either. I will never understand the comments acting like she's trying to sell us something. If yall wanna get scammed, go buy a diamond for full price at zales😂 She's just telling us how to make the most of our purchase and how to have a beautiful long lasting ring, and that's what I'm looking for!
Clearly this woman don’t know that Australian sedimentary opal is stable, strong and don’t take in water . Unlike the rest of the world with volcanic opal that takes in water and if it dries out too much it will crack. Australian Opal set in jewellery from the early 1800s found in some English homes are still strong and going.
@@johnh8615exactly. The majority of my jewelry collection consists of opal. All of which has last through much use. Especially my Australian opal ring my husband bought for our anniversary, that I've worn daily for years.
That's straight up a completely different stone. I feel like this is the equivalent of being like "a hummer is a great alternative when you're looking for a Prius"
Haha if it was the same stone…it would also be called an opal😂 I would say this is more like a Prius vs a Corolla hybrid. You’re going to have a hard time finding anything more reminiscent to an opal than an opalescent sapphire without actually being an opal. An alternative is not an exact replica 😁.
if you're looking to off-road a prius is not a good choice, better go with a Suzuki 4x4..
Opal is my FAVORITE. I love colors, never had a favorite, and luckily Opal is also my birthstone! I also love moissonite for that reason but I also love mother of pearl and different minerals with insane colors like rainbow hematite!
But that Opalescent Saphire though!!❤❤❤ I've never heard of it but am now going to go find it!
Me too! I'd never heard of it before, but it's such a pretty stone!
Also look at moonstones and labradorite- both have chattoyancy flashes!
Opal is my birthstone and i cut it for fun. In almost four years I have about 500 stones and have a lot of rough. These are worth a lot more than you think. they're all Australian, and I'm proud to be able to create with such a precious,beautiful life altering stone. It's so valuable that Diamonds can't touch it. Not just in cost,but in beauty.
I love opals so much but not for engagement/everyday wear! It's always fun to find occasions to wear them
My ring I wore the first 10 years was opal. Honestly I miss it, my new one is much more traditional.
😔 What happened to your first one?
10 years and it lasted. Doesn't sound weak to me.
@@JoshuaLevigems Maybe if you don't plan on your marriage lasting 😅
@@lavendermayo9670 if anyone's relationship depends on a rock it's not worth it. I sell gemstones myself and I would never pedal love relying on a stone.
@@JoshuaLevigemsit depends how you treat your stone. If you don’t do much with your hands eg. An office job. Take it off for anything manual such as washing the dishes or gardening. And are generally just careful. Or you choose not to wear your ring daily, maybe only for special occasions or days wear you’re not working (which isn’t traditional for engagement rings).
Most people don’t want to be this careful about their rings they wear daily and forget they’re wearing it. If you’re rougher with your ring and have a manual/hands on job you're gonna risk it a lot more. It'll last a lot longer.
Thank you! I love opals for the almost iridescent quality they can hold, and you gave me a more than satisfactory alternative! You’re such an inspiration!
Don't forget the toxic material and the child slave labor that comes from fake opals.
The narrator sells fake jewelry at high prices, that's why she made up this bogus claim.
My mom HATED my industrial until I dragged her to the piercing studio to pick out jewelry she liked. She saw a pretty/feminine fake opal option and hasn't complained about me "ruining my ears" ever since 😂
Yes! I love shiny stones and feel like faceted stones are almost...cheating? Like i don't want fancy cuts to make a pretty stone, i want the stone to be pretty on its own.
Wow... Someone make her watch Black Opal Direct. Not all opals are that fragile. Yes, they're lower down on the Mohs scale, but good quality opal, especially Australian opal shouldn't have the same sort of weaknesses she describes.
Finally! Someone who speaks my language!!
It doesn't matter what kind of opal it is as long as it's chemically an opal it can be scratched by a grain of sand.
Agreed. Plus my jeweler told me that gentle water exposure is good for avoiding it from drying out(?). I was told drastic temp changes and harsh chemical exposure are both no-go’s above all.
I’m in love with that pink sapphire
every time i hear “inclusions” my mind immediately goes to houseki no kuni 😂 its beautiful manga series about gemstones and what it means to be human, i definitely recommend it
Real. Encountered this channel because of that manga
I REALLY like the setting for the last ring shown!
Australian opal can be very very stable and if set right it can last forever. Australian opal can get wet without imploding
It’s not just about preventing it from cracking, it’s also how soft it is as a rock.
@@katesansom3841 it's probably better to get a triplet opal for these sorts of jewelry.
I have an Australian opal wedding ring and my jeweler told me that water exposure every once in a while is good for it because it avoids it from drying out and cracking. It’s more about the drastic temp changes and chemical exposure above all. The hardness scale is something I still take into consideration, though. I still take the ring off for showering, house-cleaning, and while I sleep. But it’s worth rocking this amazing rock ✨
Thank you. I knew this about opals. I would love an opal pendant on a chain. I’ve missed seeing your short videos.👋🏼
These are gorgeous stones! I never knew of opalescent sapphire. 😍😍😍
Opalescent/silk sapphires are my favorites! They look so soft 💖🎀
I know people are like "it's weak", but I've owned an opal ring my grandmother gave me when I was 14. I'm in my mid thirties and it's going strong.
Are people trying to use their rings to open things????
This depends on a lot. Like the size & type of opal. How stable it is plays in quite a bit.. also, some opals like Mintabe opal can be harder than a steel file (a friend scratched one at 7.7.. usually 6.5-7.2 from what I've seen though).
You just changed my life, thank you!!!
Anytime!😊
thanks so much for the suggestion!
Oh wow, those stones are gorgeous 😍
wow and it's incredibly pretty
Yeeees, that's what I had been searching for!! thank you
🫶😊
And the color is BEAUTIFUL 😍
My engagement ring was a cheap ring from Etsy that had a pink quartz in it. One day, as I'm walking my dog, he gets in a fight with another dog. Upon trying to break up the fight, like an idiot, I stick my hand in to grab my dog's collar and get my hand bitten. The other dog had bitten right on my engagement ring causing it to burrow into my finger. I had to go to a and e to get it removed. It was clear that if I didn't have that engagement ring on I would have lost my finger.
I still have that engagement ring in a box. I love it so much not just as a symbol of my husband's love but also as a memory of how it saved my finger.
Long story short engagement rings are a scam, sentimental jewellery trumps all.
Upto 7 on mors scale for Australian opal.
It is the most stable opal matrix on the planet.
However compared to diamond (10), and sapphires etc (8-9), it is not as durable or impervious to knocks and bangs.
I agree that opal doesn't behave well in rings, and I didn't knew that opalescent sapphire... but I don't really agree that they are good alternative. I don't think there is good alternative to precious opal at all.
Haha yes certainly nothing behaves identically to the beauty of opals. Otherwise they’d be called opals 😄 but the opalescent effect of these sapphires is the closest you can really get with a stone that is also durable which is a request I get very often!
It is dreamy and beautiful I love it ❤
Wow. Gorgeous !!!
I have an opalescent diamond. it is gorgeous!
I have one that represents all my passed birdies' colours on my urn pendant that practically never leaves my skin, it goes through EVERYTHING with me. It's on a choker, so it gets way less physical impact on it than if it was on a ring or long necklace, but I do believe it's lost a touch of its luster over time. Opals being delicate is no joke!
Thank you for sharing this information 👍🏻🤩
So pretty!!
My engagment ring is opal. I love opal and have an opal neckless that was my grandmothers, passed down to my mom and then to me. I've never taken off my neckless in over 10 years, and it's still perfect. When my fiance got my engagment ring, he made sure to get the protection plan on it just in case. So far, I've been wearing it every day since july, and it's now november. I take it off at night and when i shower. I live in florida, so very humid, which helps keep opals from drying out.
Isn’t part of the reason opal might be selected because of the traditional properties and traditions associated with it? Or because it’s an actual birthstone? I feel if someone chose opal as the stone then it is probably because of some sentimental significance rather than practicality. Just my thoughts as I watched this.
From other videos I've seen from you, the answer is always sapphire 😂
Nice series topic!! ✨🥰
Glad you liked it!!
idk what she's talking about. i have tons of opal jewelry: never had an issue. Take off your rings before you box, i guess 🤷🏽
I love my opal ring, though it isn't my engagement ring and not a daily wear. I also love emeralds and sapphires, but in their deep common colors (green and deep blue).
Love ur content
Thank you!😊
Please do moss agate 💕
We need a part 2-3-4 of other stones similar to opals, with more durability than the opal.
another and less expensive stone would be lavender quartz that looks simmlar to this! plus it can also have very nice rainbows + inclusions
My engagement ring is a beautiful fire opal and it's lasted over 75 years. Been passed down in my family and still looks gorgeous
So most opals from sedimentary sources, sure. But are the Ethiopian opals, which are volcanic in nature, still as susceptible to water and temperature changes too?
Ethiopian opals are the ones that are sensitive to water. Look into Australian opals, which are much tougher against heat and love water. They also have a much more amazing color and flash.
Oh wow my fiance got me the blue one as an engagement ring (identical design). A bit smaller, which funnily works. He wanted a bigger stone but it was sold out and he wanted to propose for Christmas (2020) so he got the smaller. He was soooo nervous about getting me a smallish stone (although it wasn’t tiny), but surprise surprise it was the max size I wear, so absolutely perfection.
Could you give us examples of what kind us jewellery is more appropriate for the gemstones you mention in this series ❤
I suppose a necklace (even a pendant), or brooch, would be a good pick for opals.
Now I'm trying to think if I have heard of royal families with an opal _tiara..._ 🤔
I got a ring with a damaged opal in it so it's spread out like a heart. It's a birthday ring not engagement ring but it's beautiful.
But it's pink! 😩 It's pretty, but not compared to an Opal. And it's pink.
I love this ❤ knowledge
🫶
I have synthetic opals in my favorite bong slide in 18 mm.
It's not necessary to avoid them, although I can see it in the specific case of engagement rings, opals and other such softer gems as well as hard organic materials such as pearls, ivory, bone, coral, urushi lacquer or wood fair a lot better as pendants or earrings, maybe rings as well if they're for occasional use rather than worn at all times, knowing this they probably won't give you any trouble and will live as long a life as any other jewel.
Good information
Opals are very pretty. My mom gave me an artificial opal a few years ago. It’s very pretty.
Planning to study geology, so I hope that whenever I get a partner I can subtly hint at good durable engagement rings 😁 anything but a diamond...a beauty, but there's so many other gems!!! Ever since I started to take a interest in stones (around age 5) diamonds just seem less and less interesting to me
This is a bit harmlessly miss informative. All opals are indeed fragile, but there are many types of Opal from all over the world. Australian Opals are sedimentary, formed from water, and won't ever crack or haze when wet. While any other Opal is typically volcanic hydromorphic, which can be far more fragile than sedimentary Opals.
You’re right! There are different types and Australian is more durable and stable. One minute is a bit restrictive for me to get into the varieties, however my advice is still to avoid them for an engagement ring stone as they’re not durable enough, regardless of variety to withstand the beating that engagement rings take!
The best way ti take care of an opal is to dip it in clear, distilled, water once a week to once a month. It keeps them from cracking.
Otherwise, in old filk tales i have been told, oplals in marriage bring nithing but tears during marriage. It is only an old saying, but the lady who has been selling me gemstones for years has had 3 marriages and each man has gifted her an opal within their first year of marriage
My engagement ring was an Opal. I only got to wear it for a few months before the stone fell out. I got the stone replaced but I have been too afraid to wear it again.
Australian opals are not sensitive to temperature nor moisture. And they are very hard.
But that has a color, I want white opal because it looks like white with rainbow. Any such alternative?
Sapphires can come in many colours, though other gems can have inclusions too.
Maybe you just need to find the right sapphire?
There’s also agate, which is slightly harder and can be similar in appearance, but not really “opalescent” pet se
Can you talk about a triplet opal? I’m curious about your thoughts on it.
Very nice
Australian opal isn't affected by water btw, or normal everyday heat (even here in Australia) I believe you're referring to Ethiopian opal
Another good alternative is moonstone
Absolutely!!! Opal is an awful choice for a ring you will wear a llooootttt. Sapphire is a very good alternative! I've worked in jewelry for about 10 years or so. Trust me when i say shop small though. I've worked both, and big corp was a joke, i learned soooooo much in the 7 years i worked at a small family owned jewelry store.
I'm doing a geology degree and I agree with all of this!! ❤
I love sapphires and rubies
I like sapphire stones with minimal inclusions
Opalescent Sapphire - looks like a Star Sapphire to me, minus the star! I'd rather get the star!!
I wanted one for my engagement ring and every jeweler we spoke to was a big fat "absolutely not". We went with black diamond instead, i wish i had known about this a year ago 😭 but hey, i adore my ring so it doesnt really matter either way lol
Can we layer resin on it?
Thoughts on amythest?
I know its soft but I'd never change my ring. I got an 8 karat opal and I'd die before I'd get a different stone. Im absolutely in love with opal
I'm a jeweler, do you sell loose stones? I would love a few of those pink opalescent sapphires 😍
FINALLY! A person who knows their field AND isn’t a snob about it!
I love opals but I now only buy pieces with manmade opal for daily wear. I had a natural opal ring turn dull and yellow, was so sad.
That would be cheap Ethiopian opal that did that for your ring more expensive Australian opal won't change like that.. GG and remember if you want quality natural opals go Australia opals
@@dragonballfan1909 Yes, it was Ethiopian opal. Can concur, also have an Australian opal ring that's held up pretty well, but set in copper, which irritates my skin if worn too long so I don't get to enjoy it as much ):
Those stones are pricey tho, especially for a beautiful stone with nice fire, and each one is unique. It's just a luxury I'm not willing to spend that kinda money on, also genuinely like the look of manmade opal which costs a fraction of the price.
Side note, I do think it's irresponsible for jewelry makers to use fragile hydrophane opals for rings without any disclaimer of what will happen to the stone. Moon Magic does this and so many customers complain how their stone discolors and dulls but think it's because it's fake when the problem is those stones while natural are just a terribly impractical choice for any kind of daily wear without special care.
I have this big opal ring but I'm scared of wearing it bc I know it's soft but it's my birthstone 😢
Now make an affordable alternative to popular gemstones playlist
i NEED durable alternatives to moss agate (my beloved)
Inclusions are cracks/specks/defects. How is this stone stronger than an opal if it contains so many inclusions?
Inclusions of what exactly please? Id like to try to find one from my gemologist treacher.
Oww, I always wished to get an opal ring :(
Is marcasite engagement ring appropriate?
True...but an opal is SO much prettier!
Why aren’t you recommending Ethiopian opal? It’s absolutely beautiful and is hard enough to facet.
I thought solid opal wasnt water sensitive, but that the doublet or triplets are because the risk of water penetration between layers. Can you clarify?
Ethiopian welo opal which is the most common to find in jewelery now because it’s prevalent and cheap is hydrophane opal which means it is sensitive to water (it absorbs water and oil readily into pores in the stone) but 99% of australian opal is non hydrophane, more stable, and can be stored in or out of water. Opal when properly set is not that fragile, but a lot of jewelers don’t set it correctly
@@LmatdhrThank you, I was going to comment about the difference. 👍
I have a Black opal myself but it's not set in a ring i keep it locked up 😅
Smart!
Gem's are a scam. All of them. Expensive to buy, worthless to sell.
Haha most consumer products are expensive to buy and worthless to sell. Doesn’t really mean they’re a scam per se, just not a good investment 👍🏼
Opal is my birthstone though!!! And pink diamond….so I wish there was a stone with a mix of both 😭
You could get a pink diamond engagement ring and an opal fun ring!
@@BijouLab yes sounds fun!!
I love opal its my birthstone. I decided against it as an engagement ring cause of that I'm too clumsy. Got a necklace of opal instead.
Honestly it would be my dream to have an opal ring! I've tried to fall in love with harder gems but I just can't get past it... Do you have any recommendations for hard opaque gems instead?
Did you like the opalescent sapphires in this video? They’re going to be the hardest gemstone with opacity.
@@BijouLab They're beautiful, but I don't know if they're similar enough to opals for me. Do you know of anything opaque that's even just a 7.5 or higher? I'm not personally a sparkly gal so I've found it hard to love the clear glittery gems. I just want something practical too, it's such a hard balance! 😅
@@jessied3210 Maybe quartz with rainbow inclusions?
I got an Australian Opal. They are more resistant to temperature and oil and a bit harder. I just accept the risk bc it’s worth it to me! I’d say go for it
Just make sure it is set in a metal that is weak or specific type of setting that will not bend. I just lost my opal out of a ring I got for Christmas the first day I wore it. It was there one minute and gone the next. Didn't realize it was gone until too late. Pockets are a demon for weak rings and I'm hopeful that someone in the Sephora I lost it in, found it, and can use it in something because it was too pretty to never see the light of day again.😢
Would moonstone also work
No, moonstone is sadly not durable.
Can we please talk about Alexandrite and lab alexandrite?
I've had my opal engagement ring for 6 years....no issues o.O