Wearers of opal wedding rings are sure to stand out and have a ring that is as different as it is beautiful. With the positive play of colours, opals are one of the fascinating gemstones accessible in the market. In this article, you will learn all about opal wedding rings: how it started, the meaning behind this ring, types of opal and types of settings, and how to properly care for an opal ring.
Table of Contents
History and Significance of Opal Stones
It seems that opals have always charmed civilizations for thousands of years, with documentation of opals starting from the Romans and Greeks of old. The Romans appreciated opals and named them ‘opalus’, which directly translates to ‘precious stone‘. Opals were believed to be charms of good fortune and specified as a shield and charm of love. During the Middle Ages, the opals were considered to have all the powers that all the different gems have. Where they are found today, opals are admired and adored, and they are also the gemstone of the month of October, associated with hope, purity and faithfulness.
The symbolism of Opal Wedding Rings
Opals symbolize faithfulness, love, and passion making them appropriate for use as wedding bands. Their delicate beauty is allegorical of the special relationship between two souls. They are also thought to improve creativity and passion for the flame that is needed in the lifetime union.
Types of Opal Wedding Rings
There are many types of opal, and they all have different appearances and colours. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular opal types for wedding rings:
White Opal:
Featuring slim and discreet body color in rainbow white shades, this gem stands out as highly classy, best suited for all range of metal hues.
Black Opal:
The most important and the rarest type of opals to occur are the black opals because they have dark background color, making the play-of-color stand out even more. It is more absorbing when set in platinum or white gold, but clearly, anything goes.
Boulder Opal:
Occurring in the host rock predominantly formed of ironstone, boulder opals have a dark body colour akin to black opal. The patterning that is different in each one adds a little something extra to make them a character piece and funky and fun to boot!
Crystal Opal:
Actually, the transparent to translucent body of crystal opal renders a bright reflecting color display which is appropriate for anyone who wants to achieve a delicate outlook.
Fire Opal:
Compared with other opals, fire opal has orange, yellow or red body colour play, although no pattern is present, and the opal itself is bright and striking
Choosing an Opal Wedding Rings Design
Again, opal rings can be created in various design types, and each design type is captured by the gemstone. Here are a few popular design choices for opal wedding rings:
Classic Solitaire:
As with any diamond solitaire, the emphasis is placed directly on the opal and its ability to sparkle and be fun. Select this metal to give the stone a good combination based on the chosen color either rose gold for the romantic style or the white gold for the modern style.
Halo Setting:
Another principal setting that surrounds the opal is the diamonds, which make it shine brighter and deepen its shades. This setting causes an apparently small opal to look bigger, and it adds to the protection bit.
Vintage-Inspired:
If you are looking for an antique appearance, there could be more decorations at the band or setting such as pave, risqué and filigree.
Three-Stone Rings:
With smaller diamonds or gemstones flanking the opal on either side, the three-stone setting conveys the history, the present, and, therefore, the future of a couple’s story.
Bezel Setting:
This setting is an added advantage as the metal forms a complete circle round the opal and reduces its chance of chipping. It is suitable for the person with an energetic and dynamic life, gives a sporty appearance and has a modern feel.
Caring for Opal Wedding Rings
Opals are softer than many other gems, with a 5.5-6.5 rating on the Mohs scale of hardness, which means that they must be properly cared for. Here are a few tips to keep your opal wedding rings beautiful and intact:
Avoid High Heat and Direct Sunlight:
Hence, when moving opals from one place to another, especially between countries with extreme temperatures, one will realize that his gems break or even lose their colour altogether due to the water content. Avoid using them in close contact with the heat generator, and also avoid exposing them to direct sunlight for long periods.
Handle with Care:
Do not wear your opal ring during physical activities that can cause pressure or contact with an object or chemicals like the case of sports, cleaning or gardening.
Use Gentle Cleaning Methods:
To clean your opal ring, just wipe it with a soft cloth and some clean water. If possible, use a little gentle soap. Do not use ultrasonic cleaners because they vibrate and, as a result, weaken the stone.
Store Separately:
Opals are very soft gems which can be scratched very easily so you should store your opal ring in an opal-lined box or place it in a soft cloth when not in use
Pros and Cons of Opal Wedding Rings
Pros:
Unique Appearance: Due to the nature of the opals, every ring is cut, and therefore, each piece is special to the other.
Symbolism: Opals have special regard as stones of love, devotion, and imagination.
Variety: Opals are available in different colours, and thus, one can get the ring they desire.
Cons:
Durability: Opals are slightly softer than the diamond and so are sapphires and as a result, they should be handled gently.
Maintenance: Opals are considerably softer than several other gemstones; they are affected by heat and chemicals and thus require more care.
Tips for Purchasing an Opal Wedding Rings
When buying an opal wedding ring, consider the following:
Understand the Quality:
Opals with better quality shall have brilliant color as well as a sharp play of color. If selecting crystal opal, it is also preferable to select pieces with a high degree of transparency since the colours shine through.
Select a Suitable Setting:
Opals are rather fragile, and there is nothing wrong with choosing precise settings, which will afford additional shielding like a bezel or halo.
Choose Trusted Jewelers:
To ensure that they are genuine and that you do not pay over the odds always purchase opals from reputable jewelers especially when dealing in the higher value opals such as black opals.
Ask About Treatments:
Some opals are treated to enhance their colours, so ask about any treatments to make an informed choice.
Opal Wedding Rings
Opal wedding rings are beautiful, personal, and unique and would be ideal for any couple who want to stand out. As it has been noted these stones need to be managed with a lot of precaution, despite their remarkable appearance and significance. For a couple who wishes a classic look to their engagement ring or a contemporary look, opal wedding rings should meet their desire.
FAQs about Opal Wedding Rings
Q1. Is opal good for a wedding ring?
Yes, an opal can be quite brilliant, symbolic and gemstone good for their weddings for those who would like to have something different. Opal is a gemstone famous for its fleeting color-changing effect, and it is associated with love, loyalty, and creative of inspiration. However, one should remember that they are softer in comparison with other variants of stones as, for instance, diamonds.
Q2. What does the opal mean in marriage?
In marriage, love, loyalty, and passion are the common meanings for which people choose opals as a symbol. The glowing colours symbolize the depth and complexity of a mature union, while the absence of duality of a partner shows the beauty of the personality of every person in a couple. It is also considered that opal helps a married couple to be creative, happy, and emotionally balanced – all these aspects will only strengthen the couple’s union. Furthermore, protection and fidelity are the attributes assigned to the opals, and therefore, people who have chosen these stones for their wedding rings will make a perfect choice.
Q3. Is opal more expensive than diamonds?
In most cases, opal is less costly than diamonds, but sometimes, it may be slightly higher depending on the kind and class of the opal and the diamond.
Q4. Is opal costly?
Opal gemstone price own the factors such as Weight, Treatments, and Quality includes Cut, Clarity, and Color per carats/ratti. The price of Natural Opal in the Indian market can range from 1000 rupees per carat and up to 10,000 per carat and beyond.
Q5. Does opal attract wealth?
People from all over the world ascribe many benefits to wearing Opal, including good luck, peace, happiness, and wealth.
Stay Tuned to Gems Tycoon for all gems-related articles.
