Louisiana opal question

Jewelry Discussion
1

I have question about Opal value. A number of years ago I bought a
chunk of Louisiana opal from a local rock shop. What I got was a
chunk of the cinnamon brown with lavender, green and a little blue
fire. I recently read in the August issue of Rock & Gem magazine that
Louisiana opal is now selling by the caret rather than by the pound as
it was when I bought what I have. I took a piece back to the rock shop
where I bought it and showed Vons son ( Von passed away some years
ago) the piece he checked it out and said it is a very a high quality
piece but that after reading the same article he is unsure of its
value.

So my questions are how is Louisiana opal sold by the gram or by the
caret and where could I get an accurate estimate of its value. One
piece weights 386 grams the other 187 grams as well as several slabs.
I live in northern California

Craig Gardner
Redwood Valley CA

2 
   So my questions are how is Louisiana opal sold by the gram or by
the caret and where could I get an accurate estimate of its value.
One piece weights 386 grams the other 187 grams as well as several
slabs.

Craig, I read the same article. However, the Louisiana opal I saw
for sale in Quartzsite this year was not selling by the carat or gram.
The price depended on quality and the material was sold by the piece
without much regard to weight. The opal is in a sandstone matrix and,
for the most part, is not especially good for jewelry (that’s only my
opinion).

It is rare and I believe it has much more value to collectors than to
jewelers. You might try your inquiry on the Rocks and Fossils list
rocks-and-fossils@europe.std.com, which is populated by mineral and
fossil dealers. It would also be helpful to post a photo along with
the request for

John McLaughlin
Glendale, Arizona
@John_McLaughlin