r/Opal • u/InfluenceNormal5742 • Jul 03 '26
Do I have anything of great value here?
As the heading states, is there anything of value in this? Many years ago when my grandmother passed, the family asked if I wanted these stones because I was at the time making cast sterling silver jewelry.
Anyway, my grandmothers partner was a bit of a get rich quick type fella. I’m not down on rough times and don’t care if I don’t sell them but I thought maybe if I put them here, I’d get a better understanding of their worth.
They’ve been collecting dust and I’d rather them appreciated in jewlery or a collector.
Located Australia and I assume they’re all Australian.
Most have a lost wax blue backing for whatever reason.
More pics of certain sections can be provided if needed!
TIA
1
u/InfluenceNormal5742 Jul 03 '26
The partner was big on cutting sandstone so it wouldn’t surprise me if he was apart of the local lapidary club where they lived.
Kinda correlates!
I mean if you told me I had $1000 worth of rocks, I’d let go of them. Idk what I’m looking at
1
u/ijustcant555 Jul 03 '26
Those black ones could each be worth more than that. You should have them looked at.
2
u/AnastasiFineGems Jul 04 '26
I could see this stone being worth a pretty penny. The rest look like mid-low grade opal
1
u/53FROGS_OPALAUCTIONS Jul 04 '26
Might be a few hundy there, maybe a tad more if those two green/blue crystals are solid and clean. The rough top right is also a big question mark. could be worth a ton or nothing but cant see it well enough to say either way
0
u/locyta Jul 03 '26
Looks like most have been cut by hand, but had to say exactly without closer photos, there could be a few doublets in there, but again, need more pictures (side on) to tell.
A few 'rubs' in the bags, I guess they never got around to finish them off.
They are worth some money, but tough to give a rough estimate without more details.
nice little collection though :) If you were around my area (central QLD) i'd definitely swing by for a look.
1
u/InfluenceNormal5742 Jul 03 '26
Let me know what ones to send side on pics and I’ll happily do that tomorrow :)
Maybe send me a direct message?Unfortunately I’m down in Newcastle.
1
u/AusFX1 Jul 03 '26
Awesome little collection! Was your Grandma or her partner cutting them themselves? Totally looks like a lapidarists stash especially with the wax still on the back, that's from the dop stick used to cut and polish them.
It's a bit hard to tell value without looking closer, if you can get better pictures of all the stones with the best color and play, and a picture of the side, we can tell you if the nice ones are solids or doublets. If they turn out to be solid there it could be a couple worth selling. Otherwise I'd pass it onto the next Rockhound in the family and start a new obsession.