BUYING OPALS ON THE INTERNET
My company OpalPlus has been selling opals on the internet now for 4 years and our net work has nearly sold 100,000 opals and gems from our sister company Opalauctions
During this period our growth has been good as we try hard to list image and description as close to possible to actual colour of the opal
When viewing our opals or any opals on the internet we suggest the following
COLOUR OF PICTURE
It sometimes is difficult to get the exact colour of the opal in a picture
But best to make sure image hasn’t been enhanced is too see picture of opal on hand or finger so if the opal colour has been enhanced the skin will look grey or yellow colour, not a healthy skin colour.
Videos are perfect to see the actual colour and pattern
If picture is on grey background that is like greyish colour you can assume the picture was taken on white paper, this gives the opal more in-depth colour.
Professional pictures, im always wary of a professional picture. Like the perfect postcard picture, these images are always over the top
If buying crystal opal ,that is see thru, it is good to view on black and white surface as well as on the hand .
Our biggest problem in taking pictures is with black opals from lightning ridge that have blue colour.
These opals sometimes come out far to mauve or purple colour instead of blue.
This is due to multi layers of colour bars so lot opals are formed naturally with layers of purple colour but with the naked eye it looks blue ,but camera captures the purple tones.
Some red opals have colour bars on bottom that are blue and this shows in picture as less red.
We receive so many feedbacks stating that the opal is better that they receive than the picture, we try to get accurate picture but very difficult sometimes
COLOUR ROTATION
This factor is also very important when buying an opal and not many buyers ask this question
Some opals flash from only one direction whereas other opals show good colour 360 degrees.
When we select opals for ring stones I like to see strong colours from most angles.
Some opals are only suited as pendant opals as they will flash brilliant colour from one angle only
Only 10-25% of opals are suited as ring stones. the more cabochon the more they are suited for ring
If you see several picture of bright opal but all facing same direction, ask to see different position to see if flash is only in one spot
When listing I will make comment that this opal suited as pendant opal,so that informs buyers.
Ring stones are generally more expensive than pendant stone ,but colours are the price point for opals
The most expensive and rarest opals have red fire
Pattern is also nearly as important as colour, rare pattern s like harlequin ,mackerel pattern are very rare
Professional buyers look for colour ,colour play and pattern and cabochon .
By colour play im describing the multi level colours that some opals have as example red flash but blue mauve colours formed naturally lower in the opal
Orange to brilliant sunset colours are still rare and are just below red fire colours
Greens are popular but not as rare as above colours, brilliant green fire is so beautiful especially with hues orange sunset colours
Blue opal ism also popular and more plentiful but still hard to find brilliant flash and cabochon
Most my comments are in regards to black opals
With Boulder opal cabochon is not that important as opal is formed different and rarely does it have thick colour bar to cabochon.
Boulder opal is formed as similar to seam opal in veins where as good black opal is formed in Nobby
DESCRIPTION
All opals should have the exact location the opal was mined from
Opal miners or wholesalers know where the opal came from and as wholesaler of opal I like to know the mine the opal came from and from what depth the opal was mined.
That sole factor alone is why we have been successful at wholesaling opals.
We know the opal source and location and details of the opal mines operation and we know the family tree a this opal mine,
As example we know if opal field has had good opal production and if opal has been good and stable or if opal from a particular filed cuts better or worse than it does in the rough, so important factors if your after repeat business
OPAL ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
They have colour Brightness Chart and rating for Body Tone Guide
Over the next few years I think this will help make industry more standard for listing details on the internet
IMITATION OPAL
Most imitation opal looks like imitation and is set in fashion jewellery
But every now and than we see good imitation opal set in gold jewellery.
If it looks too good and cheap .its not genuine
Good opal is so valuable and this imitation opal has same pattern thru all the opal
Yes I have seen some imitation opal on other auction sites listed as black opal and sellers offering Ethiopian opal as black opals.
Unscrupulous opal dealers don’t last long in the opal industry ,if they sell on the internet and have low feedback or many negatives ,just be very wary and ask lot questions.
If your not 100% confident just ask few questions, as example
Did you cut or polish this opal from rough?
Where did the opal come from?
Is the picture colour accurate, ask about body tone and brightness rating?
Can I see a picture of the opal in your hand
Why is it so cheap?
Also investigate the seller ,how long have they been selling opals for ,read other buyers feedback
FEEDBACK
If seller has lot repeat feedback from same buyers that is always good sign that the seller appreciates and values their customers.
Some sellers have negative feedback, we find 80-90% of negative feedback is from buyers for sales of $1 to $5.00
But if negative for more expensive opals, or feedback about misrepresentation, that would be a concern to me.
One of our biggest problems selling opal has been buyers receiving a boulder opal and taking it to jeweller who states that it is a doublet opal when it is a solid natural opal.
You can imagine how upset a buyer would be.
A doublet opal is thin slice crystal opal glued onto backing mainly ironstone .
If you view under magnifying lens you can see even line where opal is glued
If you think your solid opal is a doublet just leave in freezer for 5 minutes and view as if glue you can clearly see the line.
Some natural opals ,especially boulder opals do have thin lines that look like doublet, that is why always best to deal from reputable opal dealer.
