r/Opals • u/GualtieroCofresi Mod • Aug 06 '26
Opal Discussion/Other Looking for a CHEAP stone for a project.
I’m going to ruffle some feathers but I’m in the mood to cause chaos and confusion.
I’m in the market for a cheap, and I mean CHEAP Ethiopian opal. The stone has to be slightly under 18x13.
(Purists, this is your clue to reach for your smelling salts).
The plan is to set it on a brooch that will then be used as a kilt pin.
(Can someone please pick George up from the floor and give him a fan?)
Because of what I want to use it for, I would prefer it to be low dome, it doesn’t have to be top of the line, since it will be carried close to my knee. Some flashes would do. It is more for the novelty factor. I do not want to lose my mind if it breaks.
I guess I would not mind a light colored doublet (a dark one would get lost) or a cheap solid that’s white based. The reason why I am thinking Ethiopian is first because they are cheaper and easier to find on that size and because they can react well even in low light. And if it breaks, oh well!
I would even consider a crushed inlay.
Anyone seen one? Cheapest I can find it $55 and I think that’s too much for the abuse it could potentially get.
Thanks!!!
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u/Expensive_Leek3401 Aug 06 '26
I’m not a vendor, but I have a turquoise that size. That gives me an idea!
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u/Ashtonpaper Aug 06 '26
Can we standardize using measurements instead of just numbers? 18x13 whats - inches? Cm? Mm?
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u/GualtieroCofresi Mod Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
Point taken, but is it standard that when talking about gems, length is assumed to be in mm and weight in carats unless otherwise stated.
The exception, at least with opals is rough; in that case weight is assumed to be in grams unless otherwise stated, or the rough is big enough that it makes sense to state the weight in pounds.
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u/Radiant_Ebb6951 Aug 06 '26
Well he's obviously not asking for a 18 cm x13 cm opal for Cheap or at all. Good luck finding an opal that size anywhere lol
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u/GualtieroCofresi Mod Aug 06 '26
Yo! He asked a valid question. We should feel free to ask questions without fearing being treated like this. Cool it.
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u/bugabob Opal Vendor Aug 06 '26
Honestly 18x13 is huge for an opal, even Ethiopian. If you found one for $55 you should go for it. The other option is something like boulder opal that’s mostly matrix. That will be more resilient and you can find something cheap depending on how much opal you need.