What is my stone worth

[Rockypaul]

Hello, can someone give me a rough indication of what my stone might be worth? I cut it last night and I am quite proud of it, I believe it to be Mintabie black. The pictures will show the rest. they are taken in fluro light with my 21X Samsung Galaxy. Also can any of you give me a crash course on valuing opal stones?  I cut the stone on my Lawtone 6" machine purchased from Aussie Saphire and I polished it on Elk Hide from USA using Cerium Oxide.it weighs 4ct


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[Fullerton]

Opal values are reasonably subjective but here goes ... since you asked.

Similar Mintabie opals seem to go for anything from $80 to $400 depending on weight, shape, colour intensity and flash, etc. Some sellers are asking up to $800 for similar but not sure if they are getting those prices.

Any narrower guess on the value would be a bit of a dart throw.

I look forward to hearing what weight it is.

[steveo]

Looks very nice.

[shaman57]

Hi Paul
Nice opal..contact any rock club in WESTERN AUSTRALIA..There is a lot members that deal in and price all opals..Suburbs as follows..-Rockinham-Kalamunda.
They all are honest and will not send you in the wrong direction..if you need any more info..drop me a message
Cheers
shaman57

[Rockypaul]

Thanks for the advice so far, I am a member of Rockhampton Lapidary club, they are a great buch of people and when I can next attend I shall ask my friends there. I have now weighed the stone, it is pictured above weighing 4 ct. I believe the stone is a black opal, Am I correct in stating that? Does anyone have a pricing guide for Dumnmy's? The stone looks good under a 10X and the colour seems brilliant to me, hard for you to tell, from my photos, under the florescent light though, I am seeing Blue, Green, Purple, Yellow/gold and lots of firy red.

[Fullerton]

There are several sites on line that guide you regarding opal values ... just google opal pricing guide.

http://www.opalsdownunder.com.au/learn-about-opals/introductory/how-opal-valued

http://www.macsopals.com/opal-guide/opal-buying-guide/

http://www.ausopaldirect.com.au/guide.html

They are pretty much say the same thing about colours, colour play (flash), patterns, weights, etc. There are many more variables to valuing opals than other gems.

Your best option for checking the value is to take your specimen to an experienced opal dealer or miner.  Also look at the prices being sought by the many on-line opal suppliers. Even following a few sales on ebay and it will give you a ball park figure.

[Taz]

http://www.gemval.com also allows valuation of opals but you need a subscription.  Based on your photos and the weight GemVal gives a value of $US 869.28.  Note though that as a private seller you may not find a buyer at that price since the valuation method GemVal uses is based on statistical retail prices taken from many retail outlets across the world.

[Gem Ranger]

I was thinking round the $600 mark if your looking to sell it locally. Its got a fair bit of red and yellow in it - well done 

GR

[Rockypaul]

Thanks again for the help, I have subscribed to Gemval and I shall assume a value of around $600 to $800, prior to setting it.  Any other comments would be welcome.
Cheers

[Rockypaul]

Would anyone agree the description of my stone is G1 - Vivid grain, Strong radience and colour play, Splashes fill over 70 % of the body, Sharp granuilar or pinpoint pattern, body tone BL, Black body (N1 - N4 Tone) Shape : Regular cbachon? Given those spec's Gemval came back at USD 2,284.32

[Taz]

I agree with G1 - Vivid Grain but body tone I'd class as DR, Dark Body (N5 - N6 Tones) since a BL needs to be absolutely pitch black.  I also used Prolate Cabachon for the shape but I won't argue that one. That comes out as USD 1,171.53which is arguably within the range that this gem might sell at - I doubt you'd get it though as a loose stone.

[drids]

Very nice stone. Love the colours. Hope you get a good price for it!!