Why Marquise Diamond Is a Stunning Option for Engagement Rings
Opal Engagement Rings: The Ultimate Guide
An engagement ring is a meaningful token of your love and commitment to one another. So, it’s fair to say that making the proper choice may be a thrilling and daunting task. That’s why many couples choose opal rings for their engagement rings, which is a perfect choice. And did you know that October’s birthstone is opal? Your opal engagement ring will be unique, just as you are. In this article, as part of our bridal Jewelry tips, you will find detailed information on opals, how to choose an opal engagement ring, and how to keep it in pristine condition. While you’re here, take some time to look through this assortment of opal engagement rings at Cove Opal jewellery Collection.
An Eye-Opening Opal Mythology and History
Opals are a gemstone that symbolize intense feelings of love and passion. Many people think that it might heighten the intensity of their feelings. Opals have long been believed to be fortunate charms due to their ability to reflect a rainbow of hues. Opal has the titles of Queen of Gems and Light of the World.
The Greeks thought that opals were Zeus’s joyous tears. A living stone, opal is so named because it contains a lot of water.
Watch this video to learn more about the history of Opal:
Opal Engagement Rings: A Variety of Beautiful Stones
The mesmerizing patterns and fiery, iridescent colors of opal gemstones are world-renowned. Spectacular black opals from Australia are only one of many gems available in a rainbow of hues. We really adore black opals. You can’t go wrong with opals in any style, whether you’re looking for something bold and dramatic or something delicate and ethereal.
There is a wide variety of opal ring styles available, from simple solitaire settings (ideal for an engagement ring) to ornate halo bands made of precious metals (such as gold or sterling silver). Because of their versatility, opal rings are a popular choice for both formal and casual events.
Unique opal types for engagement rings
The interior structure of silica spheres diffracts light, giving opals their distinctive colour play and making them a one-of-a-kind gemstone. Opals are available in a wide variety of colors and shapes, including white, black, fire, and boulder. There are unique qualities associated with each type:
- Boulder Opals: Due to the presence of an ironstone matrix, the gem has a more rustic appearance.
- White Opals: Opals with a milky sheen and bursts of color are rather rare.
- Black Opals: The deeper undertones of these stones’ bodies bring out their colors more vividly.
- Fire Opals: It usually has a warm sheen and is either orange or yellow in color.
Opals are beautiful for engagement rings because of how rare they are. Opals are more affordable despite their rarity, in contrast to diamonds, which are often piled on to control costs.
Australian Opal Boulder ring. Photo from Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/838865868103278034/
Factors to consider when choosing an effective opal engagement ring
Australian opal is about as hard as glass (6.5/10 on the hardness scale), which means it doesn’t show much wear. The delicate nature of Australian opal makes it more prone to scratches than its harder counterpart, emerald. However, a suitable setting will ensure that your opal remains in pristine condition. So, let’s take a look at what makes an engagement ring work:
Consider your budget
Stick to a fair budget. For AU$300, jewellers just can’t make a unique setting out of 18k yellow gold and black opal. After you factor in the price of the opal, you should expect to pay roughly AU$1,000 for a basic setting and anywhere up to AU$3,000+ for something very elaborate.
Size
Although some may believe that more is better, there are instances when taking a more cautious approach yields superior results. For an engagement ring, we usually don’t suggest anything larger than an oval of, say, 10 mm by 8 mm (which is still rather huge for a ringstone).
Finger size vs. opal size
Wearing a huge stone can seem excessive if the intended ring size is merely a size J (US size 5). Although this style may be your goal, it’s not practical for daily use.
Cabochon
Opals have a cabochon, or dome, that enhances their colour play and aesthetic appeal. However, a high cabochon on an ordinary engagement ring can make it susceptible to knocking, so be mindful of this. We usually suggest a low or medium cabochon.
An excellent option would be a boulder opal, which is flatter than a typical cabochon opal and has a surface that undulates.
Metal
Opals look best set in 14k or 18k white or yellow gold. Sterling is too brittle. Because silver is more difficult to polish, which increases the work cost, white gold is the way to go if you’re going for a white metal appearance.
Although it is now fashionable, the tonal qualities of opal and rose gold do not mix well. It all comes down to individual preference, however. On top of that, adjusting platinum settings for opals is really challenging.
Style
Modern? Thoughtful? Or do you prefer something classical? Keep the individual’s preferences and style in mind. Making a modern ring for someone who wants a plain band with a few accent stones would be a waste of time.
Claw vs. Beze
Many of our customers prefer the classic look of a claw (prong) configuration, and we usually give in to their requests. Having said that, a bezel or even half-bezel setup provides much more protection than this approach.
This is going to be one of the primary guidelines we highlight to you if you approach us for advice. It is preferable to keep the stone covered rather than exposing it.
The size of the ring
Before you make the adjustment, be sure you have the right size. As long as the resizing falls within a range of four sizes, it shouldn’t be too difficult. Make sure you get the size right the first time by getting in touch with us for advice on this. For more tips on getting the right size – read this.
If you’re still contemplating between Opal or other rings like Moonstone, watch this video:
Sparkling Opal Rings Crafted from Solid Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is the metal of choice for the majority of opal ring settings. These classic rings showcase the opal’s inherent brilliance and allure. Find some very unique sterling silver opal rings at Cove Jewellers. Our intricate designs will be the perfect finishing touch to any outfit.
Rose Gold Opal Rings
Another setting that highlights the delicate nature of opal jewelry is rose gold. Finding opal rings set in rose gold, nevertheless, might be a challenge. In recent times, opal rings have become more fashionable and well-known in the gem market. You can relax at Cove Jewellers. However, we provide hundreds of different opal styles for you to choose from.
Taking care of an opal engagement ring
Opal rings are lovely and have an indisputable luster when it comes to gemstone jewelry. However, they are also rather fragile and need special handling. If you want your opal rings to stay shining, you should polish them every other month.
To delicately clean your opal ring, use a towel or a toothbrush with soft bristles. Immerse the opal ring in a frothy mixture of warm water and a few drops of gentle dishwashing detergent to clean it. This method is useful for cleaning the edges of the stone and removing any built-up dirt or debris from its surface.
