Australian Opal is very expensive. One alternative to get the fire and beauty of Australian Opal is to purchase the gemstone as a doublet or triplet.
The opal pendant shown in the article about October's Birthstone is a very good example of an opal doublet. This doublet is made of Australian opal glued to an agate base. It's just a little over 4 karats and measures about 5/8 inch by ½ inch. It has brilliant red, blue and green flashes and due to its size appears to be a very pricey gemstone - however it cost less than $50.
While I was constructing the bezel around the opal I chipped off a piece of the opal at the bottom. Now you can see why I never wear opal as a ring. The good thing about doublets is that if you can find the sliver you can just super glue it back in place, which is what I did.
Of course, this would never be appropriate to do if this pendant was not for my personal wear only. I subsequently glued a tiny emerald gemstone over the damaged part of the opal that picks up the green flash of the opal beautifully.
I purchased the doublet at Jamming Gems.
In case you are wondering - Opal is not my birthstone. I wear it frequently and have never had any bad luck associated with wearing it.
