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.
Opal plus in association with Treasures-of-the-world. Have release limited collection of opals and coins and gemstone series.
Gemstones & treasures of the world have sourced high quality opals from Australia and sourced gemstones from all over the world to make these limited edition sets.
These will be very popular and will be limited to under 500 editions maximum of each type.
Ideal as gift to start a collection or as an investment
AUSTRALIAN OPALS & KOOKABURRA ONE OUNCE SILVER COIN SERIES.
Limited to only 200 editions code (ATK)
One carats of gem quality crystal opals in capsule and five carats of opal rough with .
These gem crystals were mined over 20 years ago and high quality
One ounce Kookaburra silver coin 99.9% pure silver in presentation case and certificate of authenticity
This coin was minted by Perth mint and sold allotment of 300,000 coins in first 6 weeks so coin is top collectors item by itself
Also included is free opal book by len cram about Lightning Ridge black opals.
These crystal opals were mined over 20 years ago and are not replaceable now and have good gem fire colours.
AUSTRALIAN TREASURE SERIES
Limited to 500 sets only (ATB)
This series has four capsules of black opals ,crystal opals ,gold and diamonds.
Black opals of one carats ,good selection representing black opals from lightning ridge opal fields.
Gem crystal opals of one carats from Cooper Pedy opal fields in South Australia
Gold 20 grams of alluvial gold nuggets from Victoria Australia gold purity is high in this alluvial gold.
Diamonds ,rough diamonds of one carats from western Australia diamond mines.
AUSTRALIAN TREASURE SERIES
Limited to 500 sets only (ATC)
Black opals of one carats , selection representing black opals from lightning ridge opal fields.
Gold nugget of 3.5 grams from Bendigo Australia gold fields. High purity gold nugget.
Diamonds faceted diamonds of one mm size of .63 grams from Australia
AUSTRALIAN TREASURE SERIES
Limited to 100 sets only (ATS)
Australian sapphire & Koala one ounce silver coin series
Sapphires natural sapphires of one carat blue hues size I mm approx
Sapphires have been heat treated which is standard for sapphires.
Three carats of sapphire rough, untouched in natural state .
One ounce silver coin Koala 99.9% pure silver.
TREASURES OF AUSTRALIA GOLD SERIES
Limited edition of 50 sets (TAG)
One gold perth mint kangaroo gold coin 2007 1/20 th ounce
Two capsules of gold nuggets of one carat each
Top gold series for collectors.
Also included in the series is Treasures Of The Word including the following
Treasures of ancient Spanish coins
Treasures of ancient Roman coins
Treasures of Shipwrecks and Ancient coins
Treasures of the Ocean Pearl series
Treasure of south Africa,gold ,diamonds ,silver coin
Treasures of the world gold series 17th cent gold coin
To view complete series of
TREASURES OF AUSTRALIA AND THE WORLD
http://www.gemrockauctions.com/auctions/limited-edition-series/
Opal sales update May 2009
Since the financial crisis started last September 2008 we have seen a steady increase in top end sales of good black and boulder opal
Jan to May 2009 sales have doubled on www.opalauctions .com
Now days opals are considered a good investment ,especially good gem black opals with red or sunset fire colours
The opal has to be cabochon and also have good unique pattern from mackerel to harlequin to be considered and investment opal
Most sales to collectors have been $2,000 to $3,000 and up to $10,000
These collectors have purchased opal for several reasons, more than just an investment.
Firstly it is an incredible feeling to own and hold and opal that no one else has as rare black opals are so rare,it is also the personal enjoyment of owning such and opal and looking at the colour changes in different lights ,from direct sunlight to fluro lights at night
We know of collectors who have kept a rare black opal in their shoe draw, so every day when they get their socks out they can view their unique opal and receive instant pleasure in looking at the colour plays.
Also we note from our many feedbacks on opalauctions that buyers do get great deal of pleasure when a parcel arrives from Australia and they open to see a beautiful opal.
So maybe that’s also another reason why opals are so popular and it gives pleasure and enjoyment to the buyer in these troubled times.
We also noted that the No reserve sections on opalauctions are so popular as people enjoy the fun and excitement of bidding on an opal for $1.00
These No reserve $1.00 opals sometimes go for a bargain price and other times two buyers go into a bidding frenzy and price goes high but its fun for buyer to win such and auction
For all these reasons opals are popular now ,it is hard to sell expensive opals over $10,000,but than opal miners don’t find many of these opals
OPAL MINING
Our trip to the opalfields in April 2008 found that not many opal miners were working in YOWAH or koriot opal fields as still so hot ,that they cant work.
Only visited a few opal miners with limited amount of new stock.
LIGHTNING RIDGE was very quiet as still hot and not much mining activity.
Production is down at the Ridge and hard to find good black opal as a lot of opals we noted were more grey to semi black and black rough was very expensive.
We hope that new opal mining leases will open up this year as new areas need to be explored as lot of areas have been worked out and hard to find opals.
BOULDER OPALS FIELDS
Opal miners from Winton to Quilpie have been active and lot of new material is coming onto the market.
Production has been steady from these opal fields and the commercial grade opal is very popular a s many wholesalers who dealt exclusively with black opals now purchase boulder opals for their customers as production is more constant and stable.
One of the big problem for the industry is costs involved in opal mining are now so expensive so its hard to see prices going down ,commercial grades are stable price at present
