this post was submitted on 29 Sep 2023
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[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Opals are soft as hell. Not really a diamond replacement.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I'm not talking about replacing your diamond drill bit with opal. I mean jewellery

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Rings, like engagement/wedding rings, can take quite a beating. You need a hard stone or it won't really last very long.

I have a lab Ruby in my engagement ring and then lab diamonds around it. The lab Ruby is a good alternative because it's a hard stone! Sapphires and alexandrite are also just as hard and could be good stones in a ring you'd wear everyday.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

This is what we did. I got my wife a nice ice blue sapphire center stone instead of a diamond. It was less expensive, durable and more unique.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

My engagement ring used sapphire. Beautiful stone.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

It's more dropping or getting scratched, but I'll admit I've never seen opal break.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Why does harness matter? You are supposed to wear them, not cut or drill with them.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

Hardness absolutely matters in rings. Not as much in pendants or earrings, but people don't realize how rough they are with their hands. Most people do not take their rings off to wash their hands, or do their laundry, or, or, or. So many things have unexpected abrasives that may just feel a little rough on your skin, but can significantly damage a soft stone like opal. In a rush and accidentally bang your hand against the door frame? Chipped opal. Back of your hand itches, so you rub it against your jeans briefly? Scratched opal. They're very fragile stones.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

An engagement ring is worn on your hand pretty much all the time. Opals are easily damaged, diamonds are exceptionally durable.