Question
34 carat Opal Pin/Pend
I recently purchased an estate Opal Pin/Pendant made by Haroldo Burle Marx.
It is literally the finest Opal I have ever seen, weighing 34 carats. 21x29 mm High Dome Cab. The Stone is likely Brazilian.
I am looking for an approx. value of a stone of this magnitude.
360 degree play of fire, with all colors of the rainbow. A great deal of red, I am happy to say.
I would say that this stone is in the top 1% of the top 1%!
I cut Opal, and have Never seen such a fine stone before, or even thought to own one.
See attached image for an ides of the fire.
Any assistance would be appreciated.
David Waddell in Port Angeles, Wa.
AnswerHi David,
thanks for your question. What makes you say its Brazilian stone ? Do you know that for sure ?
It would be worth so much more if it were from Australia .I sold a similar stone several years ago now although it was a doublet , the opal was 36 carat .. it was from Andamooka, pold and cut my father,a Vietnamese guy bought it and knew he scored a beauty ! While it was a higher quality stone,albeit a doublet, I wish I had it now .The pattern was tight pattern of checks but not Harlequin...but great pattern and an overall orange base tinge, I wouldnt say red but certainly red in the pattern..The red is not like red in Boulder Opal or Lightning Ridge Black Opal ...Im yet to see something from Brazil that would rival it, and that from Aust is the benchmark. It could be a Coober Pedy stone from South Australia (north of the once great Andamooka) and even that would trump a Brazilian piece only because its is a known field and layed down slower and thus more sound.
While I cant see much red in the piece, I know the difficulties in photographing Opal and especially red in an Opal. Still some Red is distinct and others offer orange that appears greenish...I dont doubt you ...but from what I see .. and it is impossible to be acccurate with something like an image from the net ..I would say its looking like $200 -$300 per carat + so $10 K would be a good price for this stone. cant see the back , its nesesarry with Opal to give some clues to it whereabouts and its soundness..If you contact me and provide your email address at Rod@keadyopals.com I will look for the image of the said piece.. Ive a couple now that are from QLD that are undescribable...maybe one day Ill bring em to USA best regards ..I hope that helps a little Rod Keady
