QUALITY 'FAIRY' OPAL MATRIX BEAD STRAND 16inch (16OB126)

Item Description Pictures Bidding History Comments

About this Auction		About this Seller: OpalBeads
Minimum Bid (USD)	$380.00	Feedback Rating	99.42% Positive
Current Bid (USD)	$380.00 convert	Member Since	19 Jan 2009 in Australia
Bid Increment (USD)	$5.00	View feedback Send seller message View 133 other auctions from this seller More about this seller
Bids Placed	1 jump to bid history
Starting Bid (USD)	$379.00
Reserve Price (USD)	none
Starts	January 5, 2011 6:20 PM (PST)	Basic Shipping Information
Ends	January 5, 2011 11:37 PM (PST)	Shipping Cost	0.00 paid by buyer
Auction Category	Opal Beads > Bead Strands	Optional Shipping Insurance within Australia (USD)	15.55
Auction ID	241220	Optional Shipping Insurance rest of world (USD)	15.55
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Gallery

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Description

AAA+ QUALITY FAIRY OPAL MATRIX BEAD STRAND

Type: TREATED SOLID NATURAL SANDSTONE OPAL MATRIX (Fairy Opal)
Origin: QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA
Carat Weight: 170
Strand Length: 16 inches / 400mm

Bead Size: Graduated 5x3mm - 11x7.2 mm

Cut / Shape : Smooth Roundels

Color: RED ORANGE GOLD GREEN BLUE
Clarity: Opaque

Treatments: Enhancement by carbonising

Description: Brilliant sparkle of multicolour gem flecks throughout the entire stone

AAA Grade Quality opal in sandstone matrix also known as Fairy Opal Matrix, Rainbow Opal Matrix, Mass Opal or Black Paradise opal matrix.

Quality cut with a fine finish.

What is Sandstone Opal Matrix?

Naturaly formed sandstone opal matrix is Precious Opal flecks dispersed throughout an earthy orange ferruginous sandstone.

Why is sandstone opal matrix treated?

By enhancing the background matrix will give a greater contrast thus the visability of the precious opal colors is greater and stabilizing the sandstone also strengthens the stone by up to x10. Once enhanced some stones have the appearance of top gem quality black opal particularly ones with interesting and unique patterns. They are also similar in appearance to Honduran (basalt) matrix and gem Andamooka (concrete) matrix, even nicer.

So, if you would like a piece of opal that looks like a million for a fraction of the cost try these - you will be pleasantly amazed!!!

How is sandstone opal matrix treated?

The treatment is done by cooking the stone in sugar, thus the sugar is carbonized giving the stone a darker or black background and it is stabilized with inert chemical that strengthens the opal by up to x10. Only the sandstone absorbs the treatmeant, not the precious opal. This type of treatment when applied correctly is absorbed all the way through the entire stone, so re-cutting is not a problem, you do not have to treat it again after cutting.

The opal matrix listed here is superior quality to most we have seen to date. It is a more compacted sandstone type and the flecks of precious opal are more concentrated. It takes a polish/ finish much better than the very porous types.

Sandstone opal matrix is not that new as a discovery it has been around for as long as boulder opal. However, there are not many finished stones available because it is quite a tricky and tedious procedure to arrive at a quality finished product. We have now perfected this process and can offer a Quality finished product.

Bidding History


Member	Bid	Time & Date
aveeva	380.00	January 5, 2011 11:37:52 PM (PST)

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Payment Options

Questions & Comments

livingconcepts, 10 Aug 2010:
Hi Jenny, I'm going to try one more time. I really want to select the beads I get as I did prior to paying for them around the first of June. I suggested a necklace from your store this afternoon, but I didn't hear from you and I see now it is on auction. (Perhaps it was on auction when I made the offer--but there were no bids--I just can't remember) It's also possible I accidentally sent it to someone elses' message center, but you will hear from them if I did because I listed the item ID for the beads I selected. Let's try the fairy beads. You have a necklace for $380.00 (is it possible you can do better on the price) and I will pay the difference from the necklace I never received, but don't forget to add for any additional beads (you emailed that you had added a few extra before) and don't forget to charge for the attachment of the best clasp. Please contact me if this is acceptable so that we are both in sync and there are no misunderstandings. You do such beautiful work--I read all about your fairy beads, and your site is marvelous. I can't express how sorry I am about all of this. I will be happy to add insurance for you so it doesn't happen again--if we reach a decision on the fairy beads. If you don't feel comfortable about this as being equitable--please just repeat what I ordered the first time--I assure you I will be happy with that. Let's just agree on the bead coloring in advance. May God richly bless you in all that you do. Terrilee

aveeva, 27 Dec 2010:
Hello, I have some questions: What is the real color of this beads? One picture is greyish, one is dark. Is the matrix brown or black? And last: What is your declaration for duty? Thank you and have a nice day Eva