My wife has an opal ring that she (well, I) inherited from my maternal grandmother.
Anyway, the stone popped out recently and we can’t find it. We’re going to have to replace it.
I understand that opals aren’t particularly rare or expensive. The stone in question was oval-shaped and was probably the size of pine nut.
Any idea what a replacement stone would cost?
Hi, Opal!
…Well, you knew somebody was gonna do it.
<HRUMPH> Our Opal is priceless!
There are a lot of variables in addition to obvious things like size. There are “opals” called “doublets” or “triplets.” These are stones that really only have a little slice of opal in them, topped by, or surrounded by, a clear substance. This makes the stone look like a large opal, but of course it is not. Purveyors of these claim it’s done not to deceive, but to protect the stone.
And it is true that an opal is a relatively soft stone that can be damaged by contact with hard surfaces or by harsh chemicals. It can also become dried out.
Finally, there are also those who will sell things that are technically opals but have been artificially enhanced. These will look nice for a while, but, later on not so nice.
The rarest and most valuable will often have red in them.
I am surprised no one has yet to say
$20 - same as in town…
Or you could make a list of relative prices:
How does a stone “dry out”? I had a friend in high school who had an opal ring, and she’d occasionally dab a bit of baby oil on it with her finger, and rub it in. I thought she was nuts, but…
Opals aren’t really stones, per se. They’re like superthick gels of silicon dioxide and water. A precious opal has some crystaline structure (lots of tiny crystal sphereoids held together by water), but as the water leaves, that hold weakens, and the opal can become more brittle or even break apart by itself. There won’t be enough water holding it together, see.
Think of oobleck - if you mix it right, it can hold its shape pretty well, even shatter if you smack it with a hammer just right - but if you let it dry out, it disintegrates into powder again.
Here is a site that has examples of the different types of opals. It doesn’t have costs, but it shows that there are many different grades.
Cool. I did not know that. Thanks!
I never had any exposure to oobleck; they didn’t use it when I went to school. Now I want some. 
Sorry for another post so fast–before anyone rushes in to describe it for me, I just scrolled down in the first link I found to oobleck and glurch and saw RECIPIES.
Oh, Saturday will fun… :
That’s a gorgeous site, picunurse. I took a look at this triplet and had to say: Now that’s pretty. Thank you.
There’s a place in Nevada where you can dig your own opals. Hubby won’t take me, because it’s 60 or so miles into the desert, and you have to take your own water… :rolleyes: He has no sense of adventure! 
I was gonna put spin on it, and say… Opal goes for $3
(Cause its always the third item, right?)
If the stone is an odd size and shape it will have to be custom cut, which will be more expensive than a stone that is calibrated for a standard size setting. Also, matching opals can be tricky. If there is another stone in the ring that you need to co-ordinate with, finding an appropriate stone can get more complicated.
Show the ring to your jeweler before you try to buy a stone yourself. Many repair people have a regular, trusted gem supplier that they prefer to work with so they know what they are getting-especially with opals, which are notoriously fragile. Also, a friendly supplier that has a relationship with the jeweler may be willing to provide a free or reduced price replacement for a stone that is broken during setting (always a risk with opals, even with a highly skilled jeweler). Less risk for the jeweler means a better price for you.
You will probably find a wide range of prices, depending on the quality of the stone. Get a few estimates if you can, but remember the lowest price may not be the best bargain.
Nicest of the Damned–Welcome to the SDMB!
Interesting username. But you’ll see the worst over in the BBQ Pit.
C’mon. I’m kidnapping you to go digging for opals !! You can have your own water, and your own hotel room. What a totally neat idea- digging for your own gemstones.
I’ve always loved these stones and gave a few to girlfriends back in the day as gifts. Necklaces, because i was educated as to the delicacy of them as ringstones. ( Though I did give my wife an opal and diamond ring the night before I asked her to wed me, but that’s another thread. 
).
They are about as fragile as you can possibly imagine. I know a gal who left a necklace in a small glass of water overnight to let it " get some color back". It was simply gone the next day. Rubbing a bit of baby oil on it, or glycerine is just the thing. It soaks in, moisturizes the crystalline a wee tad and makes the surface shiny and bright. Come to think of it, that’s what happens when you rub baby oil on your girlfriend too. 
It seems to the be the wide variety of colors and patterns of bits of color that appeals to me. No two opals seem to be the same. Additionally, it’s a stone I can afford.
I’ll second the welcoming ! Gotta admit, when I first read the member name I thought it said " Nicest of the Diamond " and how appropriate that he/she would post in here !!
Cartooniverse
Thanks for the welcomes!
My name is stolen from a line in the song “Road Movie to Berlin” by They Might Be Giants:
I did consider choosing a more “gemmy” name since I am a jewelry and metalsmithing geek (I looooove talking about jewelry and crafts!), but I felt this was appropriate. And this way, people can choose to nickname me either “Nicest” or “Damned” depending on how they feel about me. Oh, and I am a she.
Opals are my birthstone and have always been my favorite.
Undoubtedly " Damn you, Damned " will crop up now and again.
Here’s an opal question- since they are so very fragile, do they hold up for centuries like other cut/shaped stones or once dug up and worked by a stone cutter, can they fall apart if left sitting in, say, a museum display case or jewelry box for 10 or 20 years?
Must they be kept lubed in order to stay intact?
