HomeBoy's Adventures In the Outback of Australia..In Search of Black Opal: What to Buy?

Opals depending on the color of their potch will either be be classified as solid black, solid grey, solid white, or solid crystal. This color is determined by turning the opal over and looking at the potch. The potch is the material that the opal formed on many millions of years ago. While there are many beautiful opals found all over the world, the ones called black opal are thought to show more brilliance because of this black potch.

Opal doublets and triplets are man made with some opal and some potch powder formed into a backing, sandwiched together.. These types of opals are of less value and durability than solid opal. The triplets are also susceptable to moisture clouding, which precludes their use in rings.

How Big Should the Opal Be?

If you would like an opal for a ring, look at the finger you would put it on. Use the area between the knuckle and the finger joint to determine this. A jewelery manufacturer can make you a custom mount to fit any opal...but it might not look like you thought it would on your hand. Look for the size stone that will look nice on your hand, with enough left over for the mounting.

What Do Opals Cost?

Miners and traders will talk in carats, while jewelers talk about dimensions but the main thing to remember is that an opal is only worth what you are willing to pay for it. The price is always negotible and negotiation is expected. With haggling, the seller make a profit and the buyer gets a bargain.

Sellers will always point you to the stones that cost the most, expecting you to buy the paper weights. Decide the size stone that would look best on you and the colors you like and go from there.

Examine the stones closely. Stones that are cloudy, or display fractures in the silicon aren't for you. If you don't know your seller, ask if the stones are solid or doublets or triplets. Look at the side of the stone for any seam that would indicate that the stone is a composite or sandwiched. When you are satisified, don't put any stock in the stories you are hearing from the seller...the blokes are full of it. Ask the price....and then if you like the stone offer half. Buying opal is like an auction...know when to walk away...you can always come back.

Where Can I Find Uncut Opal?

The miners use converted cement mixers to wash off the dirt from the stone. North of Lightning Ridge is an area with several dams where the mixers are. That would be a good area to look to buy nobbys. Miners pay about $400 to process a load of dirt. The sale of a few nobbys would put a smile on most of their faces. The nobbys can be cut and polished in town at many shops for $20 Aus upwards.

I've Bought an Opal for Investment...How Can I get it Valuated?

If you've bought an investment grade opal, a committee of miners meets once a week at the R.T.A. Mining Center. They examine opals, and without knowing who you bought it from will determine it's value and document its origin. They have many years experience valuating Lightning Ridge opals and know their replacement values. The cost is a percentage of it's worth.

How Can I Convert Size to Carats?

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"I Put A Seashell to My Ear...And it all comes back..HomeBoy in Paradise"

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