I’ll start off by saying, I personally believe I did overpay, however I found this piece so beautiful I didn’t care. I do remember seeing this at a previous gem show where I took a picture of it because I liked it so much.
I try not to haggle things I consider art, as an artist myself, so I bought it full price, $395, and 425.61 after tax… When I saw the tax I thought about asking to bring the price down but I still did not.
Anyway, this is an Australian black opal, possibly a doublet, but I have no way of knowing for sure because of the sterling silver backing.
Seller told me the opal was a $1,000 stone on its own which I don’t really believe since it’s just blue Lol. I specifically LOVE blue opals though, even if it’s the most cheap/common color it’s my favorite, which is why I loved this pendant so much.
AFTER I paid for it, seller said “Isn’t it so beautiful, and it’s not backed either! Actually I don’t know, it might be.” And that comment is where I started to have a liiiittle bit of regret, I thought it was so beautiful I didn’t ask many questions about the opal itself 🤦 “Backed” as in doublet. He did tell me that he made this about 5 years ago though, so I will choose to believe he truly forgot and isn’t lying about not knowing.
I don’t mind doublets and will totally buy them, but I know it’s a price factor.
I talked to a local gem society worker at this gem show and at some point showed her this pendant I bought, she said “oh wow that’s beautiful, but you could make that so easily if you join my class” which added even more to my regret lmao.
I don’t work with jewelry yet, but I have wanted to for years and I think I do realize I could make my own at some point, but I still think this pendant is beautiful!!! It’s the first jewelry i’ve spent over $100 on at a gem show. I know it’s probably a small amount of silver for the price, what do you think?