Have you been captivated by an Opal Engagement Ring’s fiery color and distinct appeal? You’re not the only one who feels this way! Since Ancient Rome, opal has been a prized gem. However, many people are unaware that Opal is very soft, making it an unsuitable engagement ring and Custom Jewelry for anyone. Fortunately, there are several pointers for caring for this delicate gem that will make it last a lifetime. There are also tougher gem choices that have an Opal-like appearance! So, let’s start planning your ideal Engagement Ring!
What exactly is Opal?
When a piece of opal is rocked side to side, it produces dancing color flashes. This spectacular effect is known as the “play of color” for a reason: it appears to be a rainbow bouncing around inside the stone! As mineral-rich water seeps into rock crevices, opal shapes. When water evaporates, Opal in the form of the crevice is left behind. Opal is a soft gemstone that is commonly used in jewelry. When contemplating an Opal engagement ring, which will need to withstand any wear and tear, this is critical. But we’ll talk about how to deal with that later.
What are the Best Opal Engagement Ring Colors?
Opal comes in several colors, even though most people think of it as a white gemstone. Instead of the color, it flashes, opal is defined by the color of its primary background color. The key backgrounds may be white, black, grey, or orange. They can even flash every color of the rainbow! So there’s bound to be a color combination that matches your passion.
WHITE OPAL
White Opal is the most popular Opal on the market and what most people think of when they hear the word “Opal.” On a white backdrop, it displays rainbow-colored flashes of light. These flashes can be large and bright, or they can be tiny and glittery. Lower-quality White Opal can have very little color play and instead appear to be a plain pale white stone. When looking for a White Opal Engagement Ring, couples can look for a vibrant, multi-colored play of color.
MEXICAN FIRE OPAL
Mexican Fire Opal is a fiery orange color. Some stones have an orange and yellow color play, while others have no color play at all. Mexican Fire Opal is commonly found in cabochon shape, but it is also often faceted. Since Fire Opal is sometimes more translucent than its siblings, this is the case.
BLACK AND GREY OPAL
Black and Grey Opal are distinguished by their smoky body color. The Opal’s dramatic play of color, which can flash red, blue, green, and yellow, is enhanced by the dark backdrop. The most valuable and uncommon type of Opal is black, while the red play of color is the most sought after. Couples who want a Black or Grey Opal should make sure the color play is visible across the stone.
CRYSTAL OPAL
A jelly-clear crystal with bursts of color, Crystal Opal is exactly what it sounds like! This gem’s main color could be entirely transparent, or it could have traces of white, grey, or black. Crystal Opal’s color play is always so lavish that the key color is barely visible. Crystal Opal is usually cut as a cabochon, but it may also be faceted. When looking for a Crystal Opal Engagement Ring, couples should aim for stones that are transparent from all angles.
LAB OPALS
Lab Opals are Opals that have been produced in a laboratory by humans. Although there is no chemical difference between a Natural Opal and a Lab Opal, the quiet, controlled atmosphere in which Lab Opals develop results in a distinct appearance. Lab Opals are much more uniform in color and flash than their natural counterparts because we monitor what goes into the stone. In other words, while a Natural Opal can have a large flash of light across one portion of the gem but none across another, Lab Opals often have even flashes of light across the entire stone. Lab Opals are also available in a wider range of shades, including lilac, lime green, and bright yellow. Couples who choose a Lab Opal Engagement Ring value the wide range of colors and consistent flash.
What are the Benefits of Opal Engagement Rings?
Opal Engagement Rings are common among couples for a variety of reasons. Some people want a unique look, and others want a less flashy alternative than Diamond. Another important consideration is the price. Opal Diamond Engagement Rings are far less costly than diamond engagement rings.
Is an Opal Engagement Ring the Right Option for Me?
Perhaps. Opals are extremely gentle stones. As a result, an Opal Engagement Ring is probably not the best option for very active couples or those who hate taking off their jewelry. An Opal Engagement Ring can be right for you if you’re willing to be extremely cautious with your rings – and understand that even with extreme caution, harm to your stone will occur.
Before deciding on an Opal wedding Ring, I recommend that couples weigh the benefits and costs, as well as the alternatives. The best Opal couples are those who insist on having Opal no matter what and are unconcerned about having to replace it later.