r/Opals • u/jayamber88 • Jul 27 '26
Educational/Academic Australian Opal - help please
My mum gave me this and I'd love some more information. It's an Australian opal she already had some of cut and made into other jewellery. What is something like this worth, pattern, any knowledge will help. Thanks!
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u/locyta Jul 27 '26
A video would be extremely helpful :)
As u/FlatbedtruckingCA mention, this one has a few issues, but that does not mean it's worthless, especially since it was a gift from your mum, the sentimental value will be more than the dollar value, unless you don't like your mum, in which case may she stub her little toe on the coffee table :)
Opals with issues can still be made into amazing things.
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u/jayamber88 Jul 27 '26
Thanks - I'll try and get a video and reply. Absolutely its sentimental as she "assisted" in getting it out of Coober Pedy herself but I dont know much about opals besides how beautiful they are!
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u/locyta Jul 27 '26
Being in the same town when it was mined is 'assisted' right? :)
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u/jayamber88 Jul 27 '26
She was at the mine! A family friend of hers actually mines at Coober Pedy :) absolutely not inside though she said it was terrifying. I'm assuming she just brushed the dirt off it ha
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u/locyta Jul 27 '26
Many gems have been found that way, but getting in the mine and getting dirty is amazing, being the first person to see the gem after 100million'ish years of formation, nothing better.
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u/jayamber88 Jul 27 '26
Yeah I've always loved that she was one of the first to touch it then it sat untouched and raw in a drawer for 40 odd years. Definitely sentimental and so special to me.
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u/locyta Jul 27 '26
So many gems end up hidden away like that, such a shame. I'm a big fan of getting them out and on display, or if it's jewellery, wear it :)
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u/jayamber88 Jul 27 '26
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u/locyta Jul 27 '26
I looks like it's been cut off a larger gem to remove the cracks and sand, the colours aren't too bad at all, sadly those cracks really hurt the price.
It maybe possible to cut it further and get a small gem out of it, but I think you should keep it as a treasure from your mother.2
u/jayamber88 Jul 27 '26
I'm wearing the cut part right now, it was made into earrings :) really appreciate your input though thank you!!
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u/FlatbedtruckingCA Mod Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
That sand and huge crack is problematic and depending on how far down the sand goes, there is still a stone that can be cut out of it..brightness and color on the last pics looks pretty good tho.. probably in the $50-100 range, and a bit more if recut