Opals are the superior stone and they actually look awsome. Transparent glass like stones are so boring. They are also much cheaper and not harvested with child labor.

[–] MagicPterodactyl@lemmy.ml 21 points 11 months ago (2 children)

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

[–] dansity@lemmy.dbzer0.com 11 points 11 months ago (2 children)

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

[–] NotThatKindofDoctor@midwest.social 16 points 11 months 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.

[–] LilB0kChoy@lemm.ee 8 points 11 months 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.

[–] atrielienz@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago

My engagement ring used sapphire. Beautiful stone.

[–] Xanthrax@lemmy.world 8 points 11 months ago

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

[–] lud@lemm.ee 2 points 11 months ago (2 children)

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

[–] shuzuko@midwest.social 8 points 11 months 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.

[–] captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 5 points 11 months ago

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

[–] pewnit@lemmings.world 16 points 11 months ago

Moissanite

[–] cucumber_sandwich@lemmy.world 11 points 11 months ago

Dont opals lose their shine or something over time due to being hydrophilic?

[–] nohaybanda@hexbear.net 7 points 11 months ago

Jade gang

[–] Son_of_dad@lemmy.world 6 points 11 months ago

My wife's is made of a purple sapphire as the main stone with a small diamond on each side. She loves the purple. The diamonds I didn't pay for, they were her grandmother's that I got from her sister.

[–] RizzRustbolt@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago

Hematite. The most metal gemstone.