Please read my seller policies before buying.
Beautiful earth mined Opal .... a gem stone investment. The colors show when bright light is shone on the opal.

Approx. 20.3x9.7x7.1 mm. October birthday. ( if you are not sure how big this is , make certain you check measurements shown in title on a measure marked in millimeters... the standard for measuring gems.)

Questions? Please ask.

Appraisal was made before the stone was placed in a topaz accented sterling 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 sterling. Most people cannot tell the difference between white gold and a sterling 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...most people find our prices excellent for the gems alone, before setting accounted for.

Better gems and jewelry items are kept in bank vault for security purposes and retrieving an item can take me a day or so, causing a slight shipping delay.

Price based on what I had to pay. Many of my gems were purchased decades ago. Appraised by an independent master valuer ,(Steven Knight, GG,R.M.V.,CJA-CAP. ) at a retail replacement value of $ 1,710 CDN. (Approx. $1,380 US funds at time of listing.) .Feel free to download his appraisal at no charge. If you want a signed , sealed copy for insurance purposes, one can be sent to you in your name for an additional $30

Better gems and jewelry items are kept in bank vault for security purposes and retrieving an item can cause a slight shipping delay. I usually only visit the bank Monday mornings, and then ship UPS. If you buy an item on a Monday afternoon, may not go out until following week, unless I can get up there before the regular time.

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.
Even worse than the lab produced stones are the glass enhanced ones....almost worthless.
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