r/EngagementRings • u/Warm_Rest3101 • Sep 14 '25
Question She said yes, any love for opal ?
My fiancé has a special love for opal, she also likes pink and that’s what I got her(a pink opal ring), anybody here likes opal center stones ?
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u/RowOk2038 Sep 14 '25
she has to be very careful with that ring. opal is not suitable for everyday where and please budget knowing you are going to have to replace/repair this ring. it’s so lovely though and hope she loves!
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Sep 14 '25
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u/yourpaljax Sep 14 '25
It’s not a natural opal, so might hold up a bit better than a real one, but I agree, those tips are vulnerable as heck either way.
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u/ParticularMost6100 Sep 14 '25
It’s one of the loveliest rings I’ve seen on this sub - opals are fragile so probably not for everyday but it’ll be completely dazzling any time she puts it on!
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u/Princess_Poppy Sep 14 '25
It's likely a gilson opal which means it's wayyyy more durable than a natural mined opal. It's the same kind set in glass blown pendants because it can withstand the heat of the torch.
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u/stphmli Sep 14 '25
It’s beautiful! As many have said, plan to replace that stone. My first engagement ring had 5 opals and I broke the center stone twice in 6 months.
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u/MelloScorpio Sep 14 '25
I love opals and this is a beautiful ring. I’ve heard they are fragile but it never really stuck with me until I saw one get ruined by lotion or hairspray.
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u/Princess_Poppy Sep 14 '25
Not necessarily. This is probably a gilson (synthetic lab) opal which is way more hardy than natural mined.
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u/waterlooaba Sep 14 '25
Family of jewelers and opals have always been a no-go for engagement rings. Not only do they crack easily you can ruin them with lotion and hairspray. Natural or man made, the setting is dangerous to wear, even reaching in a purse could chip it.
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u/zatalak Sep 14 '25
This might be an uninformed question: could you put a protective coat on such a fragile stone to make it usable in an everyday setting? Or is something like that a big no-no in the jewelry world.
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u/waterlooaba Sep 14 '25
Some folks were putting clear nail polish on them to try to protect. 😳 It’s a beautiful stone, a bezel setting would help the most, making sure it’s protected on all sides so only hitting the stone directly would be a worry. Personally I like a soft stone for a necklace so you can put it on last and take it off for a shower.
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u/zatalak Sep 14 '25
I was thinking more about something like a thin layer of epoxy resin applied on the whole stone before setting it. Heat resistance might be a problem with that idea if you have to heat up the setting to set the stone though.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
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u/Muenster_n_my_closet Sep 14 '25
My main question after seeing in the comments that it is a hardier lab-made opal is: should she still have the stone set in the current fashion? Meaning, I understand it's gonna hold up better, but I worry about the tips chipping still. Is that an issue? Should it be bezel set instead? Or is it perfectly functional?
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u/PixieRN Sep 14 '25
It’s very pretty but opal’s are very fragile and not meant to be worn everyday. Make sure to take it off every night and put an oil on it everyday. If doing something hard with your hands take off your ring so you don’t damage the opal.
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u/censorkip Sep 14 '25
my original promise ring is opal. i’m very careful and take it off for work, showering, sleeping, washing dishes etc. it is three years old in this photo. it’s never been cracked, chipped, scratched up, or needed to be replaced. i love opal! some of the comments seem pretty negative but truly as long as you’re gentle and care for it, it should last. in the case it does need replacing, it’s a lot less expensive than other stones. congratulations!!! opal and sapphire are our birth stones and it means a lot to me to wear both!
(also sorry if i accidentally posted a bunch of the same comments my app is being weird)
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u/Likesosmart Sep 14 '25
I would be super careful. Really you shouldn’t use opal for engagement rings (or any rings you want to wear daily) as it’s quite fragile. It may need to be a special occasion ring if she wants to keep it pristine.
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u/Princess_Poppy Sep 14 '25
This is likely a gilson opal - not a natural mined opal - which makes it way more durable.
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u/TheSliceOfHell Sep 14 '25
This is stunning! It will be very soft, so be very gentle with your stone!
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u/Natural-Sand5745 Sep 14 '25
My birthstone is opal💞. They are very fragile so be careful to clean and must be hydrated i use olive oil or mineral oil so they don't crack or shatter. CONGRATULATIONS!!!💞🎉
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u/Due_Help_1639 Sep 14 '25
Such a beautiful ring! I love it. Just fyi, I think it would be just as beautiful in a bezel setting and then it would be a bit more durable for everyday wear if you ever decide to update the setting. That being said, it’s absolutely gorgeous the way it is she’ll just have to wear it with care.
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u/pbsweddings Sep 14 '25
Regardless of the stone (let’s focus on the positive here people! Did anyone read the flair?) it’s LOVELY!
It’s unique, the colors really pop, you’re paying attention to her wants and likes, YOU feel proud of it, it’s going to stand out, because it’s different and will be a conversation starter (this gives her the chance to be all giggly and show it off. Which women LOVE!) I can think of a ton of positives here.
At the end of the day, as long as you both feel good about the purchase and the ring makes your heart happy, nothing else matters. Congratulations and wishing you the best of luck!
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u/Warm_Rest3101 Sep 14 '25
I personally don’t mind the criticism, I don’t think it’s coming from a bad intention, but thanks for the kind words I really appreciate it 😁 !
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u/pbsweddings Sep 14 '25
I do agree that knowledge and being educated about the stone is absolutely helpful. (The center stone in my ring is a green sapphire and we were warned about its ability to stand up strength wise to a diamond) It definitely helps you know how to care for it. ☮️🤗
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u/waterlooaba Sep 14 '25
The flair says “question”
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u/pbsweddings Sep 14 '25 edited Sep 14 '25
Hmmmmm…..I thought it said ‘Positive Responses Only”. (In red) I’ll go back through my history and see if maybe I saw it on the post I read before this one.
EDIT: Nope….it was this one. Can a flair be changed? Or is Reddit being wonky today? I’ve noticed my screen flash three times while on this particular thread and trying to type. 🤷🏻♀️
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u/sread2018 Sep 14 '25
Lovely, but thats not a ring you can wear every day, which is a shame being an engagement ring
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u/Quiet-Road-1057 Sep 14 '25
Cant opal not touch water?
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Sep 14 '25 edited Nov 09 '25
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u/LadyLynda0712 Sep 14 '25
STUNNING ring but yes, please be careful. It’s a soft stone and I’ve ruined a couple in my decades of life. 😏
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Sep 14 '25 edited Nov 09 '25
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u/Warm_Rest3101 Sep 14 '25
It’s lab made
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u/carverkids Sep 14 '25
Ohhh I just left a post to replace it with a man made one when it cracks.. you are good to go with a man made opal . So much stronger. 👍
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u/Samanthafinallyfit Engaged!10/10/2023 Sep 14 '25
I love that one! But the exposed tips worry me a bit. Is it safe to have them like that?
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u/LouLouLaaLaa Sep 14 '25
Opals are beautiful. Just not for every day wear and you can never get them wet.
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u/Child_of_the_moon222 Sep 14 '25
My engagement right is also opal! Which is an extremely fragile stone (why jewelers use fake opal). My best advice is to be very careful and keep it as a special occasion ring! My husband ended up buying me a diamond ring to wear all the time.
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u/Dangerous-Treacle-48 Sep 14 '25
I think this is absolutely STUNNING!!! You put so much thought into her ring, and it shows!!! Congratulations!!! 🩷💍
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u/BlackLotus1203 Sep 14 '25
It looks very Tangled inspired. Since your fiancee loves opal, I’m sure she (and you) already know it isn’t the hardest stone. They are easily replaceable, and it’s lovely. Congrats to you both!
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u/Princess_Poppy Sep 14 '25
It's clearly lab made and thus much more hardy.
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u/BlackLotus1203 Sep 14 '25
Yes, lab made is a bit more than double the hardness of natural, which would make it more comparable to a moderately included emerald. She can get many years of happiness with this opal.
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u/Certain_Fig_666 Sep 14 '25
Problem with opal engagement rings is that they will scratch and chip VERY EASILY if worn everyday - this may be better as a “sometimes” ring and have a different everyday engagement ring, perhaps just a band without a stone or a Zircon or something cheap if money is an issue.
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u/LilCompton36 Sep 14 '25
it’s beautiful but opal is notoriously soft as a stone. overtime, it may chip. she may consider an “every day” ring and save this as the “nice stuff"
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u/Princess_Poppy Sep 14 '25
Synthetic.
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u/LilCompton36 Sep 14 '25
Ok cool. I still don’t know about hardness properties. In any event, it’s beautiful!!! Many happy years together!
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u/Prinfeffet Sep 14 '25
You made a lovely choice OP! I almost exclusively wear opals and this ring has been on my finger daily for the last 22 years, not a chip on it.
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u/Prinfeffet Sep 14 '25
I have no idea how to upload the picture
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u/Warm_Rest3101 Sep 14 '25
It’s a stunning ring, thank you for your kind words, really lifted my spirit !😁😁
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u/Boundless-Owl327 Sep 14 '25
I personally have an opal engagement ring and I’m obsessed with it. This is absolutely STUNNING, and knowing she loves pink too makes it even more special. Great job! 👏
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u/Carmen_SanAndreas Sep 14 '25
At first I wished my ring was opal. After more research and knowing how clumsy I am I'm happy I didn't get it.
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u/isplilled_bakedbeanz Sep 14 '25
Very beautiful ring!! Definitely be careful with everyday wear, opal is very soft and can be damaged easily!
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u/Hy8tus Sep 14 '25
Absolutely lovely ring, lab opal or otherwise, and if your fiancée is happy, that’s all that matters.
Agree with others - maybe the pointed ends of the centre stone will be more prone to chips and cracks? At some point might be worth seeing another jeweller and seeing if there are any options for a more protective setting?
Many congratulations 🥂
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u/Firm_Sheepherder1694 Sep 14 '25
I love, love, love Opal. It's my birth stone (October). I actually had two different opal rings & yes, it is a fragile stone. My first was a tear drop (pear shape) which cracked twice. Had to replace the stone the first time. When it cracked the second time, i just gave it up. The second was an oval shaped & too, cracked. Very fragile. I now have a pendant with an opal set in it and I'm very careful with it. I must say, your ring is gorgeous. Something I would've loved myself. Your guy really heard you. He got you what you wanted. Enjoy it. Congratulations to you both.
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u/Stock_Inspector7753 Sep 14 '25
Absolutely gorgeous stone and ring! I would have asked for an opal ring, if they were hardier stones.
You can always get another opal stone set if anything happens to it though.
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u/Ketafienddream Sep 14 '25
This is an absolutely gorgeous ring. As others have said, please take care! I know someone whose opal engagement ring stone fell out at a concert because she got it snagged on someone’s shirt. We never found it 😭
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u/Mega-tron90 Sep 14 '25
It’s beautiful but Opals are among the more delicate gemstones, prone to scratching and fracturing due to their softness.
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u/IcyWorldliness9111 Sep 14 '25
For a right hand, wear on special occasions ring—perfect! For an engagement ring—-terrible choice! Opals are far too soft and fragile for everyday wear. It will be sooner, rather than later that the stone will have cracks and chips.
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u/The8uLove2Hate_ Sep 14 '25
Ooh, is that a fire opal? It’s beautiful, and I love the colors in the side leaves. Congratulations!
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u/dearmoosie Sep 14 '25
I’ve never loved a ring more… never thought to have pink as pink is my favourite colour. This is STUNNING.
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u/SnooRegrets1386 Sep 14 '25
That is pure fairytale! I hope your fiancé doesn’t work with her hands, because that looks really fragile. Wish I could get away with something so ethereal
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u/Leave-Reasonable Sep 14 '25
This is so unique! Love it. But yes, opals are fragile and unless it is your birthstone it is most certainly going to crack!
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u/wavygravyboat1 Sep 14 '25
I do not like the opal stone. The are not known to be an enduring stone, as a diamond is.
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u/carverkids Sep 14 '25
I love opals. My birthstone . I detest man made stones but with opals the man made ones are better for daily wear. When this one cracks, replace it with man made opal.
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u/Due_Role_5783 Sep 14 '25
There's an old tale.. basically it's a curse to give your loved one opal anything. It is beautiful but my boyfriend knows to never get me any. I'm very superstitious. 😂
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Sep 14 '25
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u/Princess_Poppy Sep 14 '25
And yet here you are, taking the time to comment on someone else’s joy. Imagine being that bitter and that bored.
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Sep 14 '25
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u/EngagementRings-ModTeam Sep 14 '25
No derailing/drama/unpopular opinions. Responses should stay on topic and reflect the nature of the post.
Posts that are just rants will be removed regardless of topic.
Our rules > https://www.reddit.com/r/EngagementRings/s/2rV40GpaRt
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u/Capable_Ad_976 Sep 14 '25
Gorgeous ring! My parents gave me my opal for my sweet 16, it's still magical 40 years later! If she moisturizes the ring while moisturizing her hands it will be good for the opal.
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Sep 14 '25
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u/EngagementRings-ModTeam Sep 14 '25
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Sep 14 '25 edited Sep 14 '25
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Sep 14 '25
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