Opal engagement rings

Black opals are expensive, and in fact – the most expensive of all opals. This ring is more affordable for you because it is a dyed opal. Created with polished rhodium, plated sterling silver and palladium with 18k yellow vermeil. The opal is oval-shaped, 20×15mm in size, and the cabochon is dyed black and placed in a bezel setting. There are four, round, faceted-cut 2mm chrome bead settings. With the yellow vermeil and the scrollwork, this beautiful ring is Part of the Gems en Vogue II Collection.

Choosing an opal can be confusing so it helps if you know how to choose a high grade opal!

No two gemstones have the same swirling patterns, color plays or clarity, so every opal is unique. And whilst some exhibit a full spectrum of diffracted colors, ranging from blues and greens, purples, pinks, oranges and red, others have only two or three colors. The range of opal types, shapes, sizes, colors, patterns and clarities ensures that everyone has a different favorite!

But it is easy to spot a good opal when you see it.

The best opals have patterns of colors which swirl in an organic and natural way. And they always have strong vibrant colors which explode out of the gemstone in an eye popping display of diffracted color. This is known as opalescence and it is what makes opal rings especially captivating.

Opals destined for engagement rings must have great clarity so that the patterns and plays of color contained within them can be clearly seen. But even more importantly, the colors within them must be bold and dramatic. They should flash and play across the gemstone as it is turned in the light, showing different hues at every turn. And contrary to popular belief, the best opal rings are not necessarily the ones which exhibit the most colors, but the ones with the strongest displays of color. This means that one particular opal is necessarily better than another simply because it contains a wider range of colors. If you actually prefer one which shows a dazzling play of just green and blue, go with it, especially if the favourite color of the bride to be is blue or green!

Opal engagement rings must have high quality precious metal settings which complement the colors of the opal. Black opals, with their vibrant rainbow colors against dark blue, black or grey backgrounds are often set into white gold or platinum for best effect. However, no generalisations can be made for other opals which can be set into white or yellow metals depending upon the colors within the individual opal.