QuestionI just inherited a beautiful fire opal as a gift from my elderly grandmother. This opal came with an application/license to export goods from Australia. On that application the description says " One ladies 9 carat yellow gold fancy broach, set with an oval doublet opal, measuring 35 by 29 mm." There is also an appraisal sheet of paper that was also in the package. It is dated March 23, 1971 and it says the broach is worth $2,000.
I am told that a fire opal of this size and clarity is very rare and very expensive. I'm still in shock that I have it, since I did not know that my grandmother even had it. I'm also very thankful that she waited to give it to me so that I fully appreciate the stone!!
I know you can't give me a value without seeing the stone, but can you tell me if in fact a 9 carat fire opal is rare, and if so it is worth much more than the 1971 appraisal of $2,000?
Thank you so very much for your time.
Sara
AnswerHi Sara ,
A 9 carat stone is a nice size stone ,"fire opal" .. well thats a term we dont use too much here in Australia, but it usually refers to a red coloured stone which are the most desired. The description indicates that it is a oval doublet. "Oval" is obviously the shape, a "doublet", is a two piece stone that is stuck together, a"triplet" is a 3 piece stone. Usually doublets have very nice opal on top and, in days gone by either a glass or onyx backing the two pieces are glued together to give it strength. While it is not as valuable as a solid stone. It is still a very nice stone and by the measurements its rather large. Without seeing it its way too difficult to value , and opal is just the most difficult stone of all to appraise. One must really hold the opal to tell. Any way, a fire opal- doublet is not particularly rare, these days doublets are produced in Hong Kong with iron stone boulder on the back .Its strong and dark and gives the stone the appearance its a Queensland Boulder opal. Your stone, if its red in colour, would certainly be valued at over $2000 , the 14 k gold would now push the piece over that price as gold just went over $1000 per oz , add the cost of workmanship and the opal ....it may well be $3,000 maybe more. I hope that helps you a little . Best regards Rod Keady
