Opal Engagement Rings – Examples & Buying Guide

Emily

Written by Emily

Updated:

Opals have a long and storied tradition. The word “opal” is said to have origins in Sanskrit as upala, which means “precious stone.” Subsequently, it moved to Greek as opallios, which means “to see a color shift.” Opals comes from when rainwater trapped in sedimentary rock layers evaporates, leaving behind silica deposits. They can be from different places throughout the world. Opals come in a variety of colors and shapes, from almost transparent crystal opals to the darker black opal. Natural opals feature a base hue that ranges from colorless to moderate gray, and these are the stones that make up the bulk of opal engagement rings

If you want a more natural vibe, then boulder opal is a mixture of rock mass and opal that forms naturally. Fire opals, also known as Mexican fire opals, are translucent to transparent and are available in warm tones such as yellow, red, and orange, while Peruvian or blue opals come in blue and green shades. Black opals are the darkest as well as the rarest of all opals, and have a price tag that reflects their rarity. Synthetic opals, like many other gemstones, are available and can be distinguished from natural opals by the periodicity of the silica pattern.

The opal’s fascinating background will not disappoint you if you’re looking for symbolism in such an engagement ring stone. Opals have been shrouded in mystery since the Middle Ages due to their mystical light. Legends of opals vary from being considered bad luck to getting worn to fend off bad spirits. Caesars gave opal to their wives for good luck in Roman times, believing it to be the most powerful and effective gemstone.This romantic implication has been carried forward into contemporary times.

Choosing an Opal Engagement Ring

Opals displayed in jars of water or that look cloudy should never be purchased. Cloudiness may indicate that the stone is dry and on the verge of cracking. If the stone comes from an origin known for producing opals with high moisture content, some merchants would sell them in jars of water. These stones are more prone to cracking and crazing.

Color

One of the things to look at when you are looking to purchase an opal is the color of the stone. Go for an opal with a vibrant color show that is uniformly throughout the stone. The harlequin pattern, which uses a variety of colors, is the most valuable. It’s made up of a patchwork of diamond-shape streaks that run the length of the stone. The diamonds ought to be big in size. Any red-based play-of-color pattern is particularly popular. Pick up an opal and twist it in your hand while selecting one. All through the stone, look for a strong fire, particularly red fire.

Stone shape

The next thing to look for in an opal ring is the shape of the stone. Select an opal engagement ring stone with a pleasing shape. Because most opals are cut into cabochons, the stone ought to be symmetrical (not too narrow or wide if it is an oval) and have a sleek, complete dome. The dome enhances the color and fire of the stone, which is particularly beneficial for paler opals. As a result, check to see if the dome is dented. 

Best Places To Buy Opal Engagement Rings

Capucinne

Capucinne has a wide variety of engagement rings to choose from. It is relatively simple to locate a high-quality opal engagement ring at a reasonable price. They also have pictures that can assist you in determining whether or not a ring is right for you. A Capucinne opal engagement ring is an excellent choice.

Jared

When it comes to jewelry online retail, Jared has gained a reputation. This company has quickly become one of the most popular places to shop for high-quality engagement rings. They have a variety of opal engagement rings for you to choose from. It’s always a good idea to buy from Jared.

Zales

For your opal engagement ring, Zales offers a balance of consistency and affordability. Zales is a company that has a stunning collection of opal engagement rings that are also affordable. Their customer service is outstanding, which can be accorded to their years of experience.

Opal Engagement Rings vs. Diamond Engagement Ring 

The major difference between opal and diamond engagement rings is on their durability. While diamonds have a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, opals have a score of between 5.5 and 6. This means that they are a relatively soft stone. An opal engagement ring, unlike a diamond, is not a common option for an engagement ring. Opals are much softer than most diamonds, despite the fact that most gemstones are not quite as hard as diamonds. In contrast to opals, diamonds are more expensive per carat. Opals with excellent grades that occur naturally are extremely rare in contrast to diamonds.

Opal Engagement Ring Metal Options 

The gemstone’s appearance will be influenced by the metal band option for opal engagement rings. An opal stone with a darker undertone would be ideal on a white gold metal. Rose gold as well as other warmer metals will highlight the gemstone’s rich deep hue. Palladium is another excellent metal choice for an opal engagement ring since it is both strong and less expensive than white gold. Palladium, unlike white gold, does not require rhodium plating after a period of time. Platinum will be an excellent choice for lavish opal engagement rings.

Common Setting Styles for Opal Engagement Rings

Certain setting style choices will aid in the preservation of your opal. Bezel settings, for instance, are common because they are the simplest way to secure opals while avoiding putting them under pressure. On opal engagement rings, a variety of setting types are used. The prong setting is amongst the most popular, with a single opal gemstone at the center and metal pins holding it to the prong. The majority of rings in this setting include four to six prongs.

Beautiful Examples of Opal Engagement Rings

Opal engagement rings have become more popular alternative engagement rings as they get more common. They are distinct in terms of style, setting, and even form. Opal engagement rings come in a variety of styles, including three stone, solitaire, as well as floral. Opals come in a variety of shapes, engagement ring styles, and sizes, including ovals, square cuts, round cuts, and cushion cuts. From the large selection of opal engagement rings accessible, you can be sure of a variety of options. We found stunning examples of opal engagement rings that we believe your significant other would adore. 

This elegant engagement ring features a 9x7mm opal center stone that is absolutely stunning. The band of this ring is approx. 1.6mm wide and the band can be crafted in 14k solid yellow gold, white gold, rose gold or 18k solid yellow gold, white gold, rose gold or platinum. Read more...
This simple ring features an opal center stone that is accentuated by side diamonds to produce a stunning engagement ring. The band of this ring is crafted in yellow gold that creates a beautiful contrast tp the opal color. Read more...
This lovely engagement ring set features an 8x6mm pear opal center stone. The ring has white diamonds that go round the band to accentuate the ring. The band or this ring can either be in 14k/18k gold or platinum. Read more...
This lovely engagement ring features an opal center stone. The sizes are 8x6mm Australian opal if oval shape or a7mm crystal Australian opal if round. The diamonds have a weight of 0.33 carat, color G, and VS clarity. Read more...
This stunning engagement ring features a 9.0mm cushion-cut lab-created iridescent opal cabochon as the center stone. There are white sapphires that accentuate the center stone of this ring. The ring is crafted in sterling silver. Read more...
This lovely vintage-inspired ring features a 6.0mm lab-created iridescent opal cabochon as the center stone. There are other accentuating gemstones on this ring which include the paired diamonds in marquise-shaped frames and bezel-set diamonds. Read more...
This dazzling engagement ring features a 9.0 x 7.0mm oval-shaped lab-created iridescent opal as the center stone. The ring is crafted in sterling silver and has an 18K rose gold plate. There are additional topaz that are on the split shank to complete the design. Read more...
This ring features a stunning heart-shaped lab-created opal as the center stone. The ring is fashioned in 10K rose gold and has a total weight of 1/20 carat. There are glistening round diamonds that fill the geometric motifs to accentuate the center stone. Read more...
This beautiful ring features a cushion-cut natural opal that is surrounded by two shimmering round accentuating diamonds. The ring has a total diamond weight of 1/20 carat an is fashioned in in lustrous 10K white gold. The opal is set in a prong. Read more...
This stunning engagement ring features a trio of opals that are pear shaped and lab created. The stones are beautiful and look even better because of the flecks of color. There are diamond stones to accentuate the ring which is crafted in sterling silver. Read more...

FAQ

Is Opal good for engagement rings?

Opals are beautiful stones and they look stunning on an engagement ring. If you want something unique, then go for an opal engagement ring. They are however not suitable for daily wear. Opals have a rating of 5.5 to 6.0 on the Mohs hardness and because of the softness of the opal, extra caution should be exercised when wearing the ring.

What does an opal engagement ring mean?

Opals are now thought to improve inspiration and signify loyalty. Opals are a great reflection of the special fire and spark of your relationship as an engagement ring, and their non-replicable design is a massive attraction for those looking for a genuinely amazing ring.

Is Opal cheaper than diamond?

Opal rings will cost anything between $200 and $700 depending on the quality. This is much less expensive than diamond engagement rings, which can cost anywhere from $500 to over $2,000. For those curious, lab-created gems are a more environmentally friendly option, and lab-created opals are less expensive than natural opals.

Conclusion

Throughout the last decade, opal engagement rings have grown in popularity as engagement rings. Opal rings are becoming more common than diamond rings, with many people opting for a halo setting that combines the two stones. Opal stones are less pricey compared to diamonds, but they are still very costly, particularly the fairly rare varieties. You’re good to go once you’ve found a metal that matches your opal and a setting that you need. There is no one-size-fits-all opal engagement ring. The ideal ring for yourself is one which is within your price range and that you will enjoy wearing.