HELP black opal doublet?

[gemcherub]

I should have known better lol Yes I was saying how over the top rocks prices are for tourmaline's only a few days ago but I am so desperate for a black opal (and have been for ages) I ordered one as I just can't find one anywhere.
Anyway my question is it a doublet as in the flesh it looks just like the doublet shown in this picture?
<a href="http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu310/gemsdawn76/?action=view&current=Solid-doublet-triplet.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu310/gemsdawn76/Solid-doublet-triplet.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu310/gemsdawn76/?action=view&current=022.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu310/gemsdawn76/022.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu310/gemsdawn76/?action=view&current=021.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu310/gemsdawn76/021.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu310/gemsdawn76/?action=view&current=017.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu310/gemsdawn76/017.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu310/gemsdawn76/?action=view&current=010.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu310/gemsdawn76/010.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Springflower]

I thought it illegal to pass off doublets/triplets as whole opal. Well, that's what I told the shop assistant when I returned some earrings with a suspiciously smooth and shiney surface which my beloved had bought for my birthday. I got a full refund.

 

[gemcherub]

This is what I thought which is why I need some advice on the ring before I put my foot in it lol

 

[Toril]

This is what I thought which is why I need some advice on the ring before I put my foot in it lol

Could you take it into a local jeweller and then ask them what they think? If it is in fact not what you thought, then they may be prepared to write down what it actually is, which would give you some 'professional' back up if you have to return it.

 

[gemcherub]

I wish I had the time lol I have had it since Tuesday and am running out of time with there 10 day returns.(I only looked at properly today)
I have emailed cs and asked for a manager's email which I now have so I have emailed her so will see what she says.

 

[Jantaculum]

Looks like a doublet to me. I do have some opals that are backed by natural host rock, but the line between the two is wavy and uneven in thickness, not straight like the ones in your picture.

 

[gemcherub]

And its the perfect 3 layers that has made me suspsious as the image shows opal - black - cement - potch. If it was just backed by the natural host rock wouldn't it just be 2 layers opal and potch and not 3 layers like mine?

 

[Springflower]

Gemcherub, if you are saying that three layers equals a doublet, does it mean that there are four layers to a triplet? The thing which caught my attention about the earrings was the smooth, shiny surface. My natural opals have a slightly grainy surface rather like real pearls.

 

[gemcherub]

Gemcherub, if you are saying that three layers equals a doublet, does it mean that there are four layers to a triplet? The thing which caught my attention about the earrings was the smooth, shiny surface. My natural opals have a slightly grainy surface rather like real pearls.

According to this yes they count the glue/cement as a layer
<a href="http://s658.photobucket.com/albums/uu310/gemsdawn76/?action=view&current=Solid-doublet-triplet.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu310/gemsdawn76/Solid-doublet-triplet.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Meeshoo]

I don't think it's a doublet. It looks like an opal in host matrix - BUT I'm not an opal expert and may well be wrong. I suggest you simply ask Rocks and Co and see what they say.

Tell tale signs with a doublet is that the opal sliver usually has a very regular straight edge i.e. where it joins the cement it's typically very very straight. You can just about see that in photos 1 and 2 below. The cement layer is then quite small. Can you see the underside? If yes, what does it look like? That's often a good way to tell also.

If you look at yours, the layers merge and are not straight edged. I will get mine out at the weekend and see if I can take photos of the sides (if I get time) so you can compare.

I've been trying to find some real life photos of doublets and then some where they're solid but showing a similar matrix to yours but I'm struggling for good comparisons. Anyway, photos 1 and 2 are doublets. Photos 3 and 4 are of a solid opal with a top and bottom view.

One thing I would say is that if your stone is showing mainly blue or green it's not great. Have you ever looked here http://www.opalauctions.com/ Lots of dealers I know buy their opals from this site.

 

[Meeshoo]

Here's some better photos of doublets - can you see why I don't think yours is? In both photos (top right gem in photo 1) you can clearly see the division of the layers and they're very uniform in shape.

 

[gemcherub]

Thanks for all you help. I think I am never meant to own a black opal lol
I emailed John Scott who was amazing and spoke to Tony, Tenner, Debbie and the C.E.O who have all assured me it is solid and have sent me some helpful links,
Think I need to sleep on it!

 

[Meeshoo]

Can you share the links? It'd be helpful I think.

Why are you hesitating if you've been told it's solid?

 

[gemcherub]

http://www.opalsdownunder.com.au/learn-about-opals/introductory/opal-doublets-and-triplets
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mois3G7uyY8
http://geology.com/gemstones/opal/
http://www.internetopals.com/about/about-our-opals.htm#OPAL_DOUBLET
These are the links I have been sent.
I am hesitating because they have also said take it to my jeweller etc and if it does turn out to be a doublet they will refund, say sorry and sue the company they bought them from.
To be honest it has all taken the edge of it now and it is only a blue/green opal for alot of money so its not worth the hassle to me.
Thanks for all your help its such a hard one to know how to tell the difference, I just saw the banding at the side and alarm bells went off and I didn't want to accuse people of miss selling if thats not the case. Looks like I will never know lol

 

[argeybargey]

I'm no opal expert, but I do know me "boring" rocks. The layering you can see looks to me like natural layering where the host rock over time has developed layers of different properties. However, it doesn't sound like the stone is really doing it for you and if you're spending a lot of money why not try another or wait until "yours" comes along. xxxxxxxxxx

 

[Frazzled]

You're not happy GC, send it back? - a friend and I have a rule, if is doesn't grab you as soon as you open the box and you start humming and ahhing?....

 

[Meeshoo]

I don't know how much you paid but if it's all blue and green then it's not great unless the pattern is unique. Also the body colour (this is how opals are graded too) is very light for a black opal - so all in all, you're right to send it back. However, I really don't think it's a doublet.

Do you actually like it face on? If you do then why not ask Rocks if they will pay for a jeweller to look at it - if it's solid, you pay, if it's a doublet they pay? That way you keep it if you like it and you've got the surety that it's solid.

What I'm flabbergasted at is the links they've given you. They are basic links that anybody could pull off the internet and I know of far more helpful websites. However, it could be that somebody was just trying to be helpful.

 

[gemcherub]

I've decided to send it back! the search continues thanks for everyone's help and advice x