DISCOVER YOUR DREAM OPAL RING

When it comes to opal jewellery, Black Star Opal is the most trusted online source for authentic, high quality Australian opal gemstones and opal rings. Our ring collection features a wide range of natural, ethically sourced opals - known as the 'Queen of Gems' - featuring fiery patterns and vibrant flashes of colour. From black opals, crystal opals and white opals to boulder opals, doublet opals and triplet opals, our stones are set in only the finest quality precious gold and silver.

Do you know no two rings made with opal are the same? So when you find one you love, the best thing to do is snap it up before someone else does, as you may never see that exact same opal ring again. Wearing a ring made of opal is the best way to keep a piece of this unique Australian beauty right at your fingertips - be it an opal engagement ring, a dress ring for special occasions or one worn every day. But remember, as with any precious gemstone, it's important to take care of your opal jewellery and be gentle when you wear it.

Opal Rings: Our Guide to Choosing The One For You

Ready to find the perfect opal ring from Australia? At Black Star Opal, our gold and silver rings are not only eye-catching accessories but feature a touch of elegance and mystique. Shopping for opal jewellery is an exciting process, and we recommend you learn the basics of how to select the right ring for you, including the type of opal, cut, colour and pattern you prefer, as well as the best ring styles and design options. If you're apprehensive about going it alone, never fear - we're here to help you navigate your way through the process. So read on for our ultimate guide on selecting an opal ring that is perfect just for you.

1. What Opal Quality and Colour Do You Prefer?

When choosing an opal ring, considering this precious gem's quality, colours and patterns is important. As you may know, Australian opals are famous for their attractive variety of beautiful and brilliant hues. With as many colours as you will find in a rainbow, opals feature bright blue, green, orange and pink tones to shades of neon yellow, purple and fiery red. There are also deeper coloured blue opals, which are a popular favourite and look stunning set in white gold or silver.

Opal displays a unique characteristic called 'play of colour', which is a shifting rainbow pattern that is seen on the stone's surface as it is moved around and light hits it at different angles. This phenomenon can be seen in many gem quality opals set into the world's most beautiful jewellery. It is one of the main factors in pricing the stone and, therefore, the value of opal rings. So think about if you would like a captivating combination of colours or prefer just one feature hue, as this will help determine the type of stone that best suits your personal style.

Opal patterns are also a consideration for opal experts, and the rarer the pattern - such as Harlequin, Flagstone or Chinese Writing - the more valuable the stone. Other factors to look for when selecting your opal ring is intensity or brightness of the gem, clarity (so no cracks, fractures, sand spots or dark patches of colourless opal called potch in the stone), origin (Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, Queensland etc), cut and the type of opal and its body tone (that is, if the opal has an opaque black, milky white or light, or a crystal clear body colour),

The main types of opals in rings are black opals from Lightning Ridge, white opals from Coober Pedy, crystal opals from South Australia and New South Wales, and Queensland boulder opals. Black opal rings tend to be the most expensive type of opal jewellery, with the combination of this rare gem and precious metals like gold or platinum elevating its status, and price. White opal rings are one of the most popular types for our customers with bright pastel tones shining bright against its milky body tone. For stunning electric colours contained within a transparent glass-like stone you cannot go past a crystal opal ring, and for a unique look and colours that pop opt for a Queensland boulder opal ring where the stone's matrix can be exposed.

2. Decide on a Shape and Cut

In addition to colours and patterns, the shape - or cut - of an opal affects its appearance and price, and will impact the overall look of your ring. While most people prefer timeless oval or round cuts, some other popular choices include pear, heart, marquise and, rarely, square. Most opals rings feature a cabochon cut, which gives the stone a domed appearance that best displays its play of colour and really offers some serious sparkle. Opals are very rarely faceted as sharp edges are not suitable for this stone and faceting does not showcase the play of colour as well as a cabochon cut will.

Usually, traditional oval and round opals are set as the main feature stone in a ring, with pear, heart and marquise shaped stones used as accent stones. However for smaller, more affordable opal rings, these shapes can also feature as the main stone with decorative designs or with crystal accent stones. At Black Star Opal, we have many sterling silver and gold plated silver opal rings available that contain these less traditional shapes, and even pieces with multiple opal shapes set into the one piece.  Remember, different cuts will allow you to explore the stone's full range of beautiful colours. 

In addition to traditional and contemporary cuts, freeform shapes are very popular for opal rings, even for engagement rings with opal. As the colour found in the stone will guide the way it is shaped, freeform allows cutters to shape, carve and polish the gem in flowing and undulating ways that maximise its bars of colour, rainbow patterns and carat weight - all of which impact the value of an opal. Freeform opal shapes are very popular for Queensland boulder opal or Lightning Ridge black opal, especially seam opal, where the cutter carves the stone to reveal different layers of colour in beautiful and unique forms.

The cut of your opal is also very important as differently shaped opals reflect and refract light in various ways. This impacts the appearance of the gemstone - and therefore the ring - as some shapes may showcase more prominent colours. Keep in mind that depending on what you like, certain colours and cuts may fit better together, so keep this in mind when making your decision. And remember, the best part about opals is they come in many different hues, so the colour and cut combination possibilities are endless.

3. Select an Opal Ring Style That Suits You

There's one thing we know for sure - your choice of ring style for your precious opal is limitless! But one thing to remember is the style opal ring you decide on should be based on what you really love. While it's preferable to select the highest quality opal you can afford, if you don't like the look of the stone or ring design, you won't get as much enjoyment out of it as you would if it was based on what you really like. So do you prefer a more traditional look with a single solitaire stone in a gold opal ring claw setting, or are you looking for something modern and eye-catching? Do you want the opal to be the star of the show, or do you want it to sit amongst other coloured gemstones or diamonds in more detailed designs? It's really up to you!

To achieve the right balance between shape, design and colour, consider the contrast between the opal and its setting. This could mean opting for a light-coloured stone, such as a white or crystal opal, to contrast with shiny yellow gold, or choosing a darker toned opal like a black opal to match silver or white gold. Lighter and darker opals each have their own unique aesthetics, and not everyone has the same taste when it comes to which body tone they prefer. White stones tend to show off bright pastel shades, crystal opals dazzle with neon blues, greens and purples, and darker coloured stones such as Lightning Ridge black opals or Queensland boulder opals, typically feature flashes of iridescent rainbow tones.

The ring's style and setting options are also a consideration. Do you prefer a bezel setting where the sides of the opal stone are enclosed, and possibly better protected? Or do you like the classic look of a claw set gold opal ring, where more of the gemstone is exposed? Would you like a halo of accent diamonds surrounding the main stone, or channel set side stones that add sparkle and shine all the way down the ring band? Popular styles also include opal rings that feature multiple stones, or that are even mixed with other coloured gemstones, for an eye-catching statement piece that will be uniquely yours.

Before you purchase a ring, it's important to take a close look at your options. The colour of opal can vary dramatically from stone to stone, so make sure to really inspect images or videos you find online. Determine what colours you'd like for your ring and pick something that fits what you really love. Once you’ve identified a style that suits you, don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about the ring as we love working with our customers to ensure they find the perfect accessory with quality craftsmanship at an affordable price.

As you search for an opal ring, take inspiration from the styles you admire and pay close attention to design elements that stand out to you. At Black Star Opal the design and style of our rings are both timeless and contemporary, so you're sure to find a piece that you love. Make sure the design speaks to your personal style as well as your love for opal. No matter what you decide on in the end, it's important that you select an ring that will suit your taste and style for years to come.

4. Opt For Durable Gold or Silver Settings

When it comes to selecting a metal for an opal ring setting, the type of metal and its durability should be top of mind. Both gold and silver will do the job, but there are pros and cons to each material. While yellow, white and rose gold are more expensive than silver, they are extremely durable and the preference for setting higher quality opals. While sterling silver and gold plated silver are less expensive than gold, they are also very strong and suitable for all types of opals. One metal we have seen for sale online but do not recommend for opal is steel, which initially looks like silver but is more grey in tone. To protect your opal ring, opt for a durable metal setting in gold or silver. Steel is fine for watches but for the delicate needs and aesthetics of an opal, it's a hard pass from us.

Another consideration is the precious metal's colour. White gold, yellow gold or rose gold settings can create a great contrast with opal's myriad colours and patterns. Yellow gold is a classic metal type used in opal rings, and is suitable for all tones of an opal. But we also love white gold, which looks fantastic for darker stones in blues and greens. Rose gold is not as commonplace as yellow or white gold, however we love how it brings more pastel shades found in white opals to life! Most opal ring gold settings come in 9ct, 14ct and 18ct gold, with a higher concentration of gold found in 18ct than 9ct or 14ct. With increased gold comes an increased price tag, so it's important to think about your budget and what type of gold you can afford. 

Silver and gold plated silver are more affordable options than gold, and highly suitable for all types of solid opals. While you won't find a top gem quality black or boulder stones set into a silver ring, you will find plenty of white and crystal opals, as well as doublet and triplet opals. Our collection of these more affordable opal rings that won't break the bank even come with sparkling cubic zirconias or natural crystals, and feature both traditional and contemporary designs. Most silver jewellery is also protected with a rhodium plating that will ensure its shine for years to come. However if you do need to give your gold or silver jewellery some TLC, use a polishing cloth to give the piece a quick and easy clean. 

5. Consider Customisation Options for Unique Designs

If you’re looking for something truly special when it comes to an opal ring, consider custom options. Many jewellers offer customisable rings, where you can select an opal that you love and have it set into a design and gold type of your choice, creating your own one-of-a-kind piece. You can even opt for accent stones such as other coloured gemstones like ruby, emerald or sapphire, as well as sparkling diamonds. Whether it’s selecting your own unique Australian gemstone or designing the setting to suit your own preferences, customisation is a great way to ensure you receive a ring that perfectly matches your own style.

Designer rings are perfect for any special occasion - such as engagements, anniversaries and birthdays - or if you’re looking to make an elegant statement with a custom or even vintage-style ring. Our jewellery design experts at Black Star Opal can help you create a truly unique opal ring that is as individual as you. From choosing the high quality, ethically sourced stones to designing the band in the style and type you love, there are so many ways you can customise your ring and ensure it expresses your personality perfectly. Whether you gravitate toward traditional pieces with classic settings or edgier pieces with bolder designs, customising your own unique piece of ring jewellery offers something truly special.

When it comes to opal rings, the stone is sure to steal the show. But paying attention to the style of the ring setting is also an important part of the design process. Consider styles such as bezel settings, claw settings or channel settings, and also where you would like a contemporary design or vintage detailing. Opting for custom engraving can even further personalise a ring, so you can add special touches like initials inside the band to make your ring truly yours. Opals can range in price and value based on quality and size, so it’s essential to take your budget into account when deciding on a ring. And finally, if you're buying an opal ring as a gift for someone, bear in mind that their own preferences should really dictate what type of stone you choose—including its colour, shape, size and quality.

WHY BUY OPAL RINGS FROM BLACK STAR OPAL?

Black Star Opal is a specialty online jewellery and gemstone boutique that offers some of the finest opal rings available on the market today. If you're searching for a specific type of opal stone, we have a wide variety of colours and cuts from which you can choose. We also offer custom pieces if you would like something unique or special made just for your needs. Our expert opal team is always happy to help customers find exactly what they need in terms of jewelry or opal gemstones, no matter how big or small the order.

Quality ethically sourced, natural Australian opal gemstones and opal jewellery at reasonable prices is what we pride ourselves on. We have been a member of the Australian opal industry since 1969, originally as opal miners and global exporters of Lightning Ridge opal. As an established and reputable wholesale and retail opal gemstone business, we are directly connected to an extensive network of Australian opal miners in Lighting Ridge, Coober Pedy and the opal fields of Queensland. We also work closely with expert opal jewellery designers and manufacturers. This ensures our products are sourced directly from the miner, and our jewellery prices remain competitive and affordable for all budgets.

We stand by our Australian opal rings with a 30-day money back guarantee. If your purchase is not quite what you were after, or you’d like to exchange for another item, we’re more than happy to help. We love seeing our customers happy and satisfied, and are pleased to assist with any questions you have about Australian opals or our opal, gemstone and crystal jewellery.

OPAL RING DELIVERY AND SHIPPING INFORMATION  

Black Star Opal offers a convenient worldwide delivery service to wherever you need to send opal rings. We take care of the cost of standard worldwide shipping for all orders over AUD $200 and provide free insurance for all orders over approximately AUD $600 to protect against theft, loss or damage during delivery. Express domestic and international shipping options are available for a small additional fee. 

Shipping is provided through Australia's national postal service, Australia Post, which offers a range of convenient delivery solutions. Parcels sent within Australia are shipped via Parcel Post or Express Post, which features a unique tracking number and may require a signature on delivery. Parcels sent outside Australia are shipped via International Standard or International Express Air Mail, which also features a unique tracking number and may require signature on delivery. We can also ship globally through FedEx upon request, however this will incur an extra cost that will vary depending on your location.

Once your order is shipped you will receive a confirmation email with a tracking number. You can enter your tracking number here to follow your order's progress to your door. Standard delivery to most countries is usually less than two weeks, while delivery within Australia is usually between two to four working days. Due to current global Covid-related shipping issues, Black Star Opal cannot guarantee the above delivery times. We recommend you check the Australia Post website for up to date shipping estimates before ordering. Approximate shipping timelines provided do not include additional time your package may be held by customs for clearance in your country. Please note: Black Star Opal is not liable for any extra duties or taxes your country may charge on an imported item. It is the responsibility of the customer to research and pay any additional charges in their country.

If you have any queries about our rings set with opals delivery service or shipping policy, please get in touch with our friendly team - we are here to help and love assisting with any questions you may have.