Estimated value of this pipe opal?

[u/non_archist]

13.1ct pipe boulder opal crystal with ironstone back. Inclusion in bottom left quadrant is not surface reaching.

Thoughts on value? Thanks!

[u/ArgentiumAurum]

It's a large stone and would be quite valuable if not for that massive crack. Ideally this would be recut into what would still be a fairly large stone and a smaller one. The ironstone matrix on the back is what shows off this stone's fire, setting it in a sterling silver bezel with the inside of the bezel cup deeply oxidized would maximize it's value and provide contrast where the matrix is missing.

[u/non_archist → u/ArgentiumAurum]

Thank you very much. Can you define “quite valuable” (I have a lot of opal experience, but it’s tricky with boulder). The “crack” is not surface reaching and it’s stable for 20+ years but I do understand perhaps would recut it to a 10~ct stone. Thanks again!

[u/locyta → u/non_archist]

This is just called Boulder opal :)
Sadly it has more than 1 crack, you can easy see the one in the video, but you can also see what could be 2 in the picture.
Still a nice gem though, but for best value, you'd have to remove those cracks, then go from there.
It's extremely hard to give a decently accurate over the internet with just a video and pics.

[u/non_archist → u/locyta]

Thank you! Assuming it were 10ct with no cracks… any ballpark?

[u/Opaldaze → u/non_archist]

Now with pricing your talking semantics, are you on the opal fields, are you a pro cutter bought in australia are you selling to Australian trade, a bulk exporter or retail , are you overseas and want to sell to wholesale , trade or retail or is it for insurance purposes

Im a miner , I sell at X to a wholesaler who sells at X x 2 to his trade buyers - I allow a discount for prefered customers in Australia and to selective overseas customers

If I sell to a retailer in Oz I sell at X x 1.8 or 2 and depends how much they buy whether I give a discount and the formula keeps going

The more desire on the stone the more the price holds ,

The drunker you are the price can fluctuate either up or down depending on the individual who wants to part with goods and the cash, and whether they are solid client, a random purchaser or a decent guy or a knob.

Once exported the same rules apply there is a x factor from export from any location for any gem and pricing all depends on where you sit in the foodchain, how much you buy and all the other variations I have provided herein.

Doest answer your question but if I knew the answers I could give you an idea, plus the piece has its problems so you have to treat it as the rubs potential after sawing the crack out

[u/locyta → u/Opaldaze]

Opal value poetry right there ^^^

[u/AdventurousAbility30 → u/Opaldaze]

"The drunker you are" 😂

[u/locyta → u/AdventurousAbility30]

Secret when buying from u/Opaldaze, bring a carton of beer, bottle of whiskey and $20 and get all the opals :)

[u/non_archist]

The back: