Opal. 18.4 cwt. Natural Earth Mined Dark Base Opal in Pendant. Retail Replacement: $2,300. See Video.

Beautiful earth mined Opal .... a gem stone investment. Please read the IMPORTANT TERMS AND INFORMATION page at least once as it applies to all listings. ANY questions, please ask. This gem deserves a gold setting. Get one at wholesale

Approx.22x16x9. October birthday. ( if you are not sure how big this is , make certain you check measurements on a measure marked in millimeters... the standard for measuring gems.)

Questions? Please ask.

Topaz accented silver setting, custom made for the stone.
Set by students, expect minor flaws ( prongs too long, stone not exactly set square, little rough around edges etc. ) Most people do not mind....but if you do, the price is right and you can have a qualified jeweler rectify.
Many of our stones 'deserve' gold settings, but I prefer to set in silver. Most people cannot tell the difference between white gold and a setting coated in rhodium to prevent tarnishing ( rhodium is more expensive than gold)
You can always have set in gold in the future if you wish...Our prices are excellent for the gems alone, before setting accounted for.

I have been a gemologist for decades and I am now retired and do this to raise funds for animal sanctuaries. My selling price is determined by what I had to pay, and it is always far below retail replacement value. The retail replacement figure is designed for bricks and mortar jewelers with high overheads. Many of my gems were purchased decades ago.

For those that request it, I can provide my signed and sealed appraisal of $2,300.00 retail replacement for an additional $5. My estimates are considered conservative, but I have no degrees or initials behind my name. For those preferring an independent appraisal by a master valuer, I have hundreds of gems listed here that have been appraised by master valuer Steven Knight GG,R.M.V. , CJA-CAP. Or, I can have this sent to him for his appraisal for an additional $40

Supply and demand rules in true gem buying as in every other human investment.
Each earth mined gem is a unique work of art, unlike the lab produced stones that can be produced in unlimited quantities.

Some people will never understand why people buy an original work of art when they can buy a poster for next to nothing.
Earth mined gems are for those that do. Invest in quality.

This is opal from the Welo district of Ethiopia. Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica, with a water content of about 5 to 10 percent usually. Opals are one of my favorite gems due to their beauty. But, they must be afforded some care to maintain that beauty. About 6.5 on the moh's scale, they should not be subject to harsh abrasion, and because they absorb water caution should be exercised. If you wear them when bathing, the fire may disappear for a while , but will return as the gem dries out. However. if the water is dirty, some impurities may enter the stone....so caution should be practiced. Opal is said to inspire love and passion