Blue Andean Opal
Gemstone Quality Standard
About Blue Andean Opal
A Peruvian opal (also called blue opal) is a translucent to opaque blue-green stone found in Peru, which is often cut to include the matrix in the more opaque stones. It does not display a play of color.
Rarity
Andean Blue Opal is very rare.
Rarity
We are sourcing small amounts of Blue Andean Opal for custom cabochon cutting and for our own jewelry.
Quality-grades and color variations
1.) Top Quality – transparent to translucent, blue/green (sometimes dendritic)
2.) Uniform colored, milky blue/green
3.) Milky, blue/green
4.) Transparent to translucent, dendritic
5.a) Andean Blue Boulder Opal (blue layers in matrix)
5.b) Andean Blue Boulder Opal (blue layers in matrix)
Be aware of “fake” Andean Blue Opal
During our market study, we found several cabochons, sold as Blue Andean Opal, which are not Blue Andean Opal. In this case the word “fake” is not used to indicate an artificial stone, but the misleading act of selling something as Blue Andean Opal which is not. The picture shows a low-grade Boulder Pink Opal which was offered as Blue Andean Opal. Pink Boulder Opals are comparatively very cheap to source as rough rock. Polishing them and selling them for a much higher price as Andean Blue Opal must be taken as a scam.
Polishable
Andean Blue Opal can be polished to glass-finish.
Cutting Quality
Advantages:
Opal does not tend to break or chip. Experienced cutters therefore can obtain very sharp unchipped edges between the backside and bezel as well as between the bezel and dome.
Top-cutting-quality is characterized by:
- a polished backside
- a sharp unchipped edge between the backside and the bezel
- a very straight and even highly polished bezel
- a sharp unchipped edge between the bezel and the dome
- a well-shaped dome, not showing any deformation
- Top-quality polish
Pricing
Adequate pricing must take into account the cost factors to obtain top-quality cabochons:
- Acquisition of top-grade Opal.
- A usual material loss of approximately 90 % of the selected material during the cutting and shaping process.
- The level of experience required by a cutter to produce a flawlessly shaped and highly polished cabochon.
- Market research
- Our Jewelry Grade (A)
- Our Top-Quality Jewelry Grade (AA)
- Our Premium Jewelry Grade (AAA)
The data in this sheet has been compiled by reviewing a great number of websites and sales platforms.
Top Quality – transparent to translucent, blue/green (sometimes dendritic): Prices range from 10 to 60 USD per carat.
Milky, Light Blue – uniform colored or multi-colored: Prices range from 10 to 20 USD per carat.
Milky, translucent dendritic: Prices range from 10 to 25 USD per carat.
Blue Andean Boulder Opal: Prices range from 2 to 15 USD per carat
Cutting quality:
Overall good but not excellent
Quality Grading
Like in other stones, the grading is not based on any logic or real characteristics but is a marketing trick to increase the price. Boulder Opals are frequently promoted as AAA+ Blue Andean Opals.
Cutting Quality:
- Straight bezel (minor irregularities possible), 3 mm high
- Perfect dome (3-5 mm high)
- Edges between bezel and dome, as well as bezel and backside: sharp and crispy, minor chips on lower edge possible
- Backside flat at 280 grit, unpolished
Pricing:
Blue Andean Boulder Opal. Recommended Retail Price: 9 USD per carat
Cutting Quality:
- Straight bezel, 3 mm high
- Flat and perfect dome (3 mm high)
- Edges between bezel and dome, as well as bezel and backside: sharp and crispy, minor chips on lower edge possible but very rare.
- Backside flat, at 280 grit
Pricing:
Top Quality – transparent to translucent, blue/green (sometimes dendritic). Recommended Retail Price: 60.- USD per carat
Milky, Light Blue – uniform colored or multi-colored. Recommended Retail Price: 15.- USD per carat
Milky, translucent dendritic. Recommended Retail Price: 25.- USD per carat
Blue Andean Boulder Opal. Recommended Retail Price: 15.- USD per carat
AA+: add 1 USD/c if you buy cabochons with polished backside
Cutting Quality:
- Only cut by our best master cutters
- Straight bezel, 3 mm high
- Flat and perfect dome (1-3 mm high)
- Edges between bezel and dome, as well as bezel and backside: sharp and crispy, no chips on lower edge.
- Backside flat, polished to 3000 grit
Pricing:
Top Quality – transparent to translucent, blue/green (sometimes dendritic). Recommended Retail Price: 70.- USD per carat
Milky, Light Blue – uniform colored or multi-colored. Recommended Retail Price: 25.- USD per carat
Milky, translucent dendritic. Recommended Retail Price: 30.- USD per carat
Blue Andean Boulder Opal. Recommended Retail Price: 25.- USD per carat
Is there anything you wish to know about:
Shipping cost and logistics, Payment options, Product quality, Packaging, Shipping damage, Refunds, etc. ?
Cutting services
Do you need reliable high-quality cutting services for a reasonable price? Are you looking for a service provider that is willing to develop new products according to your requirements? Would you like to get expert advice in order to improve your product? Do you wish for someone to optimize the process and get the most out of your rough? Just talk to us.
Get in Touch
+51 994104206
gemrockinternational@gmail.com