| Choosing an opal can be confusing so it helps if | | | | are not necessarily the ones which exhibit the |
| you know how to choose a high grade opal! | | | | most colors, but the ones with the strongest |
| No two gemstones have the same swirling | | | | displays of color. |
| patterns, color plays or clarity, so every opal is | | | | This means that one particular opal is necessarily |
| unique. And whilst some exhibit a full spectrum of | | | | better than another simply because it contains a |
| diffracted colors, ranging from blues and greens, | | | | wider range of colors. If you actually prefer one |
| purples, pinks, oranges and red, others have only | | | | which shows a dazzling play of just green and |
| two or three colors. The range of opal types, | | | | blue, go with it, especially if the favourite color of |
| shapes, sizes, colors, patterns and clarities ensures | | | | the bride to be is blue or green! |
| that everyone has a different favorite! | | | | Opal engagement rings must have high quality |
| But it is easy to spot a good opal when you see | | | | precious metal settings which complement the |
| it. | | | | colors of the opal. Black opals, with their vibrant |
| The best opals have patterns of colors which | | | | rainbow colors against dark blue, black or grey |
| swirl in an organic and natural way. And they | | | | backgrounds are often set into white gold or |
| always have strong vibrant colors which explode | | | | platinum for best effect. However, no |
| out of the gemstone in an eye popping display of | | | | generalisations can be made for other opals which |
| diffracted color. This is known as opalescence and | | | | can be set into white or yellow metals depending |
| it is what makes opal rings especially captivating. | | | | upon the colors within the individual opal. |
| Opals destined for engagement rings must have | | | | Whilst solitaire opals can be prong or bezel set for |
| great clarity so that the patterns and plays of | | | | protection, opal and diamond engagement rings, |
| color contained within them can be clearly seen. | | | | whether two stone, three stone or cluster rings |
| But even more importantly, the colors within | | | | generally look best prong set. However, this again |
| them must be bold and dramatic. They should | | | | is a question of personal taste. Whatever you |
| flash and play across the gemstone as it is turned | | | | choose, your opal engagement ring will be as |
| in the light, showing different hues at every turn. | | | | individual as you are, and that makes them |
| And contrary to popular belief, the best opal rings | | | | perfect engagement rings. |