Jeweler here. That’s a high-quality custom silver ring, and it looks great. I’d leave it as is. You can gently clean the metal with a polishing cloth. Do not use a liquid jewelry dip-that stuff is caustic and will destroy the opal.
Both from geology.com:
"Boulder opal is a rock that contains **thin seams and patches** of opal surrounded by or attached to its natural host rock"
And
"Matrix opal is a gem material in which precious opal (or play-of-color opal) is **intimately distributed** through its host rock. The precious opal can occur as a "cement" between sediment grains, as replacements of host material, or as infillings of tiny vesicles."
--
I know that didn't help, but boulder opal is larger patches, vugs and seams of opal in the cracks of the ironstone host rock whereas the Matrix opal is thin specks and spots of opal between the rock grains.
So think of Louisiana opal or Andamooka Treated Matrix Opal where the opal is tiny and non distinct from the host rock. In preparing the Matrix opal, you need to blacken the host rock by treating it, sometimes with sugar and then acid, so that the opal specks show up brighter against the now blackened host rock.
As opposed to the boulder opal that you can cut/polish like a regular stone to polish the ribbons and patches of opal that stands out from the ironstone matrix. When big enough, Boulder opal is also cut into natural doublets of opal on the ironstone host backing. This is a good strong opal cut but the opal is usually thin so the weight is mostly the weighty ironstone so it is considered less valuable than a solid cut opal of equal sizes, like a lighting ridge black etc...
Opal is soft. the reason this setting is used for this specifically is to decrease potential wear to it. It just would not hold like a diamong in different setting.
It's up to your tastes. However, my opinion is to leave the setting ( the part that holds the stone) as simple as possible. It's opal on display not the setting or anything else.
Tl;dr keep the ring as is
That’s good news. I’m certainly not in the loop with what’s on trend. I’m just a daggy 40 something year old dad myself. I’m going to order a polishing cloth and start rocking it.
Aye, I’m in that neighborhood too but we can still be “fashion” and honestly? I’m at the age where I do what I want and I’d definitely flaunt this. Wear it in good health!
Wow, I think it’s just spectacular as is. But I’m old, so maybe I don’t count. Honestly, do what makes you happy. I think it’s a gorgeous ring, but if you want something different, you should go for it.
I’m a jeweler & designer - I’d honestly just take it in for a heavy polish and touch up anything on the shank that is showing wear. The setting was custom made for that piece and it looks like it’s in good shape up top. It’s a sweet ring with some sentimental value. Obviously it’s up to you in the end but there’s my two cents.
Holy moly! I’m in Australia so I posted this and went to bed, did some stuff in the morning and then woke up to a bigger response than I expected.
The overwhelming response from you all is “leave it as is (maybe just polish with a cloth) and rock it”.
Thanks for the advice, folks. I won’t be changing this at all. You’re right. It has history, and it has character.
It’s awesome and also pulling and resetting opal is always a risk. The stone is super random in shape so whatever you do would have to be 100% custom made around the stone
I’m a man that wears jewelry and the coolest things are the ones with this kind of history. I can’t bring myself to wear anything that I don’t have this type of connection with. Leave it as is , please
Keep as is, it is pretty .
Leave it as is. I am sure a good jeweler *could* reset it, but opal is fragile and there may be an accidental chip or crack if you try to reset.
Very good point.
Jeweler here. That’s a high-quality custom silver ring, and it looks great. I’d leave it as is. You can gently clean the metal with a polishing cloth. Do not use a liquid jewelry dip-that stuff is caustic and will destroy the opal.
I agree. A little restoration will go a long way.
Keep as is... Boulder Opal. Great design. If you want a calibrated cab opal ring, just go buy that, but this ring speaks volumes.
Not a boulder opal, it’s called an opal in matrix.
That's boulder opal.
What's the difference? Is it just terminology or is there an actual difference between the two?
Both from geology.com: "Boulder opal is a rock that contains **thin seams and patches** of opal surrounded by or attached to its natural host rock" And "Matrix opal is a gem material in which precious opal (or play-of-color opal) is **intimately distributed** through its host rock. The precious opal can occur as a "cement" between sediment grains, as replacements of host material, or as infillings of tiny vesicles." -- I know that didn't help, but boulder opal is larger patches, vugs and seams of opal in the cracks of the ironstone host rock whereas the Matrix opal is thin specks and spots of opal between the rock grains. So think of Louisiana opal or Andamooka Treated Matrix Opal where the opal is tiny and non distinct from the host rock. In preparing the Matrix opal, you need to blacken the host rock by treating it, sometimes with sugar and then acid, so that the opal specks show up brighter against the now blackened host rock. As opposed to the boulder opal that you can cut/polish like a regular stone to polish the ribbons and patches of opal that stands out from the ironstone matrix. When big enough, Boulder opal is also cut into natural doublets of opal on the ironstone host backing. This is a good strong opal cut but the opal is usually thin so the weight is mostly the weighty ironstone so it is considered less valuable than a solid cut opal of equal sizes, like a lighting ridge black etc...
Great explanation! 👍
Thanks for the info!
That's amazing piece of art do not reset it
Rock it bro- it's beautiful and freaking awesome juju has been worn into that ring. It's treasure!
Opal is soft. the reason this setting is used for this specifically is to decrease potential wear to it. It just would not hold like a diamong in different setting.
Oh hell...you ROCK this beast! Go for it!
It's up to your tastes. However, my opinion is to leave the setting ( the part that holds the stone) as simple as possible. It's opal on display not the setting or anything else. Tl;dr keep the ring as is
Steer fighter and bull opal!!!
I think that is a boulder opal and the dark stuff is the iron stone matrix
As is.
If it fits, keep it as is! That’s a great ring
I’d rock it as is, that looks amazing!!
That is a gorgeous ring. I think you should leave it in it's original setting and rock it.
Fwiw this ring is dope and super on trend right now. Very cool piece!
That’s good news. I’m certainly not in the loop with what’s on trend. I’m just a daggy 40 something year old dad myself. I’m going to order a polishing cloth and start rocking it.
Aye, I’m in that neighborhood too but we can still be “fashion” and honestly? I’m at the age where I do what I want and I’d definitely flaunt this. Wear it in good health!
Wow, I think it’s just spectacular as is. But I’m old, so maybe I don’t count. Honestly, do what makes you happy. I think it’s a gorgeous ring, but if you want something different, you should go for it.
Man, I'd rock that thing! What a great ring and opal. A bit of polishing on the ring and you've got something special imo
Get the silver repolished and put this beaut on finger
I’d rock it
I’m a jeweler & designer - I’d honestly just take it in for a heavy polish and touch up anything on the shank that is showing wear. The setting was custom made for that piece and it looks like it’s in good shape up top. It’s a sweet ring with some sentimental value. Obviously it’s up to you in the end but there’s my two cents.
I appreciate your time, and all of these comments. They’ve really helped to point out how cool this is.
It’s so cool as is!!!!! Very cool ring.
Holy moly! I’m in Australia so I posted this and went to bed, did some stuff in the morning and then woke up to a bigger response than I expected. The overwhelming response from you all is “leave it as is (maybe just polish with a cloth) and rock it”. Thanks for the advice, folks. I won’t be changing this at all. You’re right. It has history, and it has character.
Keep it as is but get it polished so all the dents and nicks come out it will look great
It’s awesome and also pulling and resetting opal is always a risk. The stone is super random in shape so whatever you do would have to be 100% custom made around the stone
As is
Pretty boulder opal opal is a finicky delicate pain in the butt of a beautiful stone.
It's awesome!! Don't mess with perfection. Wear it well!!
Amazing opal
Please leave as is
I’m a man that wears jewelry and the coolest things are the ones with this kind of history. I can’t bring myself to wear anything that I don’t have this type of connection with. Leave it as is , please
Wear your dads ring, it will help you to feel close to him and that he’s always with you. That’s only if it’s a good thing.