What to expect from welo opal

[Roxy]

Can anyone help explain about my recent ring purchase, ive just taken delivery of a welo opal ring , it was platinum overlay 925 and at a reasnable £24.99 however half the opal is a muddy fawn colour and in the opal there is- only way to discribe this is like a black pencil mark, am going to return this but was wondering should i replace with another or take a refund, just not sure if i was unlucky, or that is the norm ,if set in silver, thanks to anyone who can help.

 

[MissMagpie]

It shouldn't be like that, Roxy - it should be translucent with bright play-of-colour throughout. Some Welo opals do have black marks, but most don't (and sometimes the marks actually rub off). So, if you like the design, it's definitely worth getting a replacement.

Welo opals are, however, very variable, and my advice is always to order 3 of the same item if you can, and then you can choose the best and send back the others.

 

[Meeshoo]

Settings should never affect gemstones.

Opals are judged by colour play and transluency so if you've got one that's muddy as you describe, it's not a good specimen. Typically Welo's have a very light body colour and great ones perform beautifully. Unfortunately photographing opals is fairly difficult but I'm attaching a montage of one I own so you can see how different one should look when rotated.

Hope that helps.

 

[Roxy]

Thankyou both for your input, i have sent this back today and asked for a replacement ,fingers crossed for the next, i will be extactic if they look anything like Meeshoo"s.:flower: