I don’t know who in particular was interested in this but i’m
sending it anyway…I read an email that bill wrote in regards
to Mexican opal and just wanted to add a couple of things to what
he said. I aggree with everything bill said…in
addition…Opal also comes in the matrix…particularly from
Mexico. The material does milk after a couple of months…not
all but some of it. I’ve personally cut and cabbed a ton of the
material from a huge lot i bought. I love the material in the
matrix because it is really unique in that each piece is one of
a kind. I have a large lot of it that has been semi faceted into
tablets and I tell all my customers that if they wish to purchase
it they should be aware that it if very fragile. Exposing it to
hours in direct sunlight can also cause it to crack. I’ve
experienced this when I kept several pieces under a convention
light. Farooq
Hi: have you ever seen a crystal opal with harlequin fire? I
bought a jar of opals In Mazatlan, Many cracked during the
flight, but I was lucky enough to get some nice stones. I was
wondering what a carat harlequin crystal opal would be worth? It
was cut three years ago and has not changed. Any Info would be
appreciated. Thanks Ringman John Henry
Hello John! The opal you describe should be @ or about $100 per
ct. wholesale. I’ve just been showing what sounds like similar
material. That seems to be about the limits for smaller fine
opal right now. I haven’t heard the term “harlequin” used for
other than black opal. Probably due to not dealing a lot in
opal. Hope that helps.
Timhello sir, is it mexican opal ? if not then could be a harlequin
pattern aussie crystal…depending on brightness as
always…could be from 100 to 400/ct wholesle…if you want a
thorough review send to address below and we will return
detailed report onthe stone…also what carat size, shape,
main colors patches…etc…thanks jeff
Celebrating our 5th Year on Internet
19 Years in Gem and Jewelry Business
Opals International Jewelers, Inc.
7465 NW 23rd Street
Bethany, OK 73008 USA
405-495-6610 fax 405-495-6611
1-800-376-6725 and 800-654-3259
http://www.australianopals.com Secure Store
http://www.aussie-opal.com Mirror Store
@Nathalie_Thomson1
hello sir, is it mexican opal ? if not then could be a harlequin
pattern aussie crystal…depending on brightness as
always…could be from 100 to 400/ct wholesle…if you want a
thorough review send to address below and we will return
detailed report onthe stone…also what carat size, shape,
main colors patches…etc…thanks jeff
Celebrating our 5th Year on Internet
19 Years in Gem and Jewelry Business
Opals International Jewelers, Inc.
7465 NW 23rd Street
Bethany, OK 73008 USA
405-495-6610 fax 405-495-6611
1-800-376-6725 and 800-654-3259
http://www.australianopals.com Secure Store
http://www.aussie-opal.com Mirror Store
@Nathalie_Thomson1
hello sir, is it mexican opal ? if not then could be a harlequin
pattern aussie crystal…depending on brightness as
always…could be from 100 to 400/ct wholesle…if you want a
thorough review send to address below and we will return
detailed report onthe stone…also what carat size, shape,
main colors patches…etc…thanks jeff
Celebrating our 5th Year on Internet
19 Years in Gem and Jewelry Business
Opals International Jewelers, Inc.
7465 NW 23rd Street
Bethany, OK 73008 USA
405-495-6610 fax 405-495-6611
1-800-376-6725 and 800-654-3259
http://www.australianopals.com Secure Store
http://www.aussie-opal.com Mirror Store
@Nathalie_Thomson1
Hi Tim: to my understanding any opal that displays a square
color pattern is a harlequin. Am I mistaken? Thought I had the
right info. Learn something new everyday is my motto, but let me
know if I am Mistaken. Ringman John
Hi Ringman, Yeah…I have…I know the material you are
talking about. Some of it may be in the matrix and some may just
be in nodules. It depends on the lot you bought. I don’t think
there is anything you can do about the cracking. I had purchased
several lots of the material to find out later that it is very
fragile and breaks within a couple of days after it has been
taken out of some type of liquid. In regards to what it is
worth…well it would depend on the piece…not to mention you
should hold on to it for some time…so it doesn’t crack in the
posession of the person you sell it to leaving them upset. I
semi-faceted mine…they look quiet nice. The price I charge for
the semi-faceted stuff if usualy aboput 50-100 or so per
piece…some are quite nice with a lot of fire and aren’t
really sold by the carat. They for the most part are in the
matrix. I hope this helped some…take care
Farooq
The opal you describe should be @ or about $100 per ct. wholesale.
John, as a former dealer of Mexican opal I can assure you that
anyone who knows this material will tell you , sight unseen, your
opal cannot be appraised by description alone. It must be seen in
person by a qualified pro. And many of those pro’s, for better or
for worse, might be unwilling to disclose its true value to you.
Unlike diamonds with their 4-C’s, Opal grading and appraisal
comes from looking at hundreds of thousands of stones- i.e. mucho
experience. I remember one time in Tucson; after grading about
twenty thousand stones one day, I walked back to my hotel
exhausted ( due mostly to the fact that one of my partners was an
incessant talker - the kind that repeats the same stories over
again.), and became aware of a very curious sensation. My sense
of colors was profoundly heightened. Traffic lights became
subjects of awe. Quite a nice experience I must say. A buyer(of
Gemstones) friend of mine, who is mostly color blind, tells me
his color awareness has increased since he started buying stones.
Yeah, I know, it’s strange. But stranger things do happen. To
come back to your opal John, the best advice I can give, other
than showing it to a trusted pro, is to find a similar opal for
sale and draw your comparison there.
Best of luck, Peter Slone
According to Paul downing’s book “Opal Identification and Value”
, Harlequin is "a fire pattern which shows square or angular
blocks of fire set closely together ".
Jerry in Kodiak
Hello John! Yep, sounds like you have it straight. Pays to follow
terminology a little more closely on my part. If you ever need
"harlequin" blacks; check with Manning opal in New York. Some
really super pieces.
Tim