Opal engagement rings are increasing in popularity among couples who like to go against the grain. These glimmering, iridescent stones are thought to be formed in desert environments when rainwater mixes with silica. They come in a variety of colors and are known for their colorful, kaleidoscopic sparks.
A favorite of Queen Victoria, these gems could be a surprising feature of an engagement ring for a woman who likes a Bohemian look. Less expensive than diamond rings, these engagement rings come in a wide range of prices and quality.
This article will help you choose the right ring for your budget and style.
Comparison Table
[amazon box=”B01H4TKXUQ,B01H4TKRXY,B07MXQSLMX,B07CJ3TG73,B07KY1975Q,B074NC3VHG,B07DD38PZZ” template=”table”]
Product FAQs
1. What Should You Look For?
People treasure opals for their uniqueness. They vary in color from black to white, with the entire color spectrum in between.
Because they come in such a variety of colors, two scales have been created to describe them. The body tone scale, which describes the base color, and the brightness scale, which represents the play-of-color, or kaleidoscopic flashes, within the stone.
When used in jewelry, these gemstones fall into four types:
- Solid
- Doublet (a small piece of gem attached to a dark background),
- triplet (a paper-thin slice beneath glass or quartz)
- Simulated or lab-made
Some people prefer “natural” to lab-made, while others prefer lab-made because it reduces mining’s impact on the environment. A legitimate vendor will always make it clear if the stone is simulated or lab-made.
2. How Do You Know If A Ring Is A Good Value?
When it comes to these pieces of jewelry, bigger is definitely better. Larger stones have more room to show off their play-of-color; smaller ones have less fire because they simply don’t have much space to show it off! Try to buy the largest, brightest stone you can afford.
Another important fact is that, compared to other gemstones such as diamonds, these iridescent stones are somewhat soft. You’ll rarely see one cut or faceted like other gems because cutting facets might crack it. This softness affects the style of rings you’ll find.
The popular claw or solitaire setting used for diamonds can weaken these delicate stones. You should opt for a bezel setting—in which a piece of metal surrounds and protects the gem.
3. How Do You Take Care Of Your Engagement Ring?
One thing to consider before purchasing an opal engagement ring is the fact that most women like to wear their engagement rings every day. Since this is a soft stone, it’s not a good choice for a woman who wants to wear her ring daily but works in a physical, hands-on career.
It’s also important to find out if yours is a doublet or triplet. These stones cannot be washed with water because the adhesive that holds them together could break down. A solid or lab-made one, however, can be exposed to water without damage.
How We Reviewed
In order to compile an unbiased list of the best rings, we researched different ones in a wide price range. We examined the unique features of each ring, and we produced pro and con lists for each one we reviewed. We include our verdict on the best rings at the end of this article.
Overall Price Range Of This Product (And Similar Products)
Though often less expensive than traditional diamond engagement rings, these engagement rings still vary widely in price. The rings we reviewed varied in cost from under a hundred to thousands of dollars.
Generally speaking, the less expensive the ring, the smaller the stone. However, since play-of-color sets opals apart from other gemstones, it might be worth it to you to spring for a larger stone so that your fiance can enjoy this special feature.
Settings also affected the price; many rings that we looked at used the claw or prong setting even though it is not ideal for these colorful stones. Bezel settings were higher priced than claw settings, however.
What We Reviewed
- Fire Opal Teardrop Gold Ring
- Dendritic Ring with White Diamonds
- Essential Ring
- 10k Engagement Ring with Oval Stone featuring Diamond Halo
- 10k Yellow Gold Ethiopian Opal, Pink Tourmaline and Diamond
- 1.31 Ct Oval White Ethiopian Opal White Diamond 14K White Gold Ring
- 925 Sterling Silver Real Genuine Women’s Band Ring
- 10K Rose Gold Cabochon White Simulated Opal
- Gold Vermeil on Strong 925 Sterling Silver Created Opal
- 2.07 Ct Oval Cabochon White Simulated White Diamond 10K White Gold Ring
Fire Opal Teardrop Gold Ring
Features
This ring features 1-inch long teardrop shaped stone surrounded by cubic zirconias in a channel setting. The band is gold plated silver. The ring is available in several colors and three ring sizes.
The makers classify this as “fashion jewelry,” which means it’s not designed as an heirloom. The type of stone (solid, doublet, triplet, or simulated) is not specified.
Price
This product can be found on Ringtoperfection.com for between $ and $$
Pros
- Low price for a big stone
- Choice of five colors
Cons
- Gold-plated silver may wear off
- Cubic zirconias lose their brightness over time
- Choice of only three sizes
Dendritic Opal Ring With White Diamonds
Features
Dendritic opals are often white and feature a dark fern-like dark pattern. This was the only ring we reviewed with this unique design. At 1.5 by 1 cm, this was one of the largest stones in the rings we reviewed. This oval faced ring has a bezel setting of 18k true rose gold surrounded by diamonds.
Price
This product can be found on barneys.com for approximately $
Pros
- Recycled gold and conflict-free diamonds
- Bezel setting is considered one of the safest
- The large, dendritic style is truly breathtaking
Cons
- At approximately $8,000, this ring is a budget-buster
Essential Ring
Features
This ring features 10K gold and an Australian opal in a smooth, minimalist, modern setting. Two diamonds flank the stone.
Price
This product can be found on Pamelalove.com for around $$$$
Pros
- A unique, modern design
- The bezel setting holds the stone securely
Cons
- Those who prefer a more elaborate style might expect more diamonds for the price
- Only available in two sizes
[amazon link=”B01H4TKXUQ” title=”10k Engagement Ring With Oval Stone Featuring Diamond Halo” /]
[amazon box=”B01H4TKXUQ”]
Features
This engagement ring includes an oval-shaped gemstone in a prong setting surrounded by conflict-free diamonds. The stone is 2mm by .42 inches.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$
Pros
- Surprisingly inexpensive for a ring with these two types of gemstones
- Diamonds are certified conflict-free
Cons
- An extremely small stone compared with others we reviewed
- The prong setting is not ideal for these gemstones
- Available in only one size
[amazon link=”B01H4TKRXY” title=”10k Yellow Gold Ethiopian Opal, Pink Tourmaline And Diamond” /]
[amazon box=”B01H4TKRXY”]
Features
This was the only ring we reviewed that included three different types of gemstones. Pink tourmaline and conflict-free diamonds flank the 1mm by 0.35-inch oval shaped stone.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$
Pros
- Pink tourmaline makes this ring stand out from the others
- Since both opals and tourmaline are October birthstones, this is a good pick for a woman with an October birthday
Cons
- Some of the smallest stones of all the rings we reviewed
- Only available in one size
- Once again, a prong setting shows that the ring designer didn’t have softer stones in mind
[amazon link=”B07MXQSLMX” title=”1.31 Ct Oval White Ethiopian Opal White Diamond 14K White Gold Ring” /]
[amazon box=”B07MXQSLMX”]
[amazon fields=”B07CZT9G84″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center”]
[amazon fields=”B07CZT9G84″ value=”button”]
Features
This ring features a truly unique design that updates the classic style of a traditional diamond engagement ring. A claw/prong setting holds the stone.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$
Pros
- Available in more sizes than other rings we reviewed
- Pros Price includes a lifetime warranty, which might be useful with this delicate stone
Cons
- Yet again, another prong setting
- Band design gives the impression that ten diamonds are included, but the ring only has six
[amazon link=”B07CJ3TG73″ title=”925 Sterling Silver Real Genuine Opal Women’s Band Ring” /]
[amazon box=”B07CJ3TG73″]
Features
This 8 by 6 mm oval gemstone in an antique setting is available in almost thirty sizes. Instead of gold, this ring features sterling silver, which adds to the antique look.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$
Pros
- A classically beautiful ring that looks like it could have been passed down by your grandmother
- Most sizes available of all the rings we reviewed
- While technically a prong setting, the ring’s design provides more support to the stone than other prong-style rings we reviewed
- With care, sterling silver can age better than gold-plated silver, making this a possible family heirloom for a low price
Cons
- Since gold is considered the “standard” for engagement rings, some recipients might be disappointed with silver
- The only ring on our list to not include diamonds (or other diamond-like gemstones such as zirconias) another “tradition” for engagement rings
[amazon link=”B07KY1975Q” title=”10K Rose Gold Cabochon White Simulated Opal” /]
[amazon box=”B07KY1975Q”]
Features
Though the gemstones in this ring are lab-created, the rose gold band is genuine, and the entire piece is beautiful. At 10mm, this was one of the largest stones we saw in our review.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $
Pros
- Rose gold band really complements the stones
- Great value on a ring for a woman who isn’t picky about “natural” vs. “lab made” gemstones
- Includes a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Lab-made stone might turn off recipients who only want “natural” ones
- Prong setting
[amazon link=”B074NC3VHG” title=”Gold Vermeil On Strong 925 Sterling Silver Created Opal” /]
[amazon box=”B074NC3VHG”]
Features
This ring features gold vermeil (a 22-24k gold plating) over sterling silver in a unique design featuring two delicate, cubic zirconia studded bands framing a lab-created stone.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $
Pros
- Unique double band design
- Low price with a lifetime guarantee
Cons
- While the unusual design will appeal to some, it’s just as likely to lack appeal for others because the two bands are so slim
- The lab created stones, and gold-plated silver might be just a little too artificial for some recipients
[amazon link=”B07DD38PZZ” title=”2.07 Ct Oval Cabochon White Simulated Opal White Diamond 10K White Gold Ring” /]
[amazon box=”B07DD38PZZ”]
FeaturesThe 11mm simulated stone in this ring is one of the largest in the rings we reviewed. The traditional “engagement ring” prong setting features white gold for a modern feel. The diamonds and 10k white gold are authentic.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$
Pros
- For someone who loves the look of large stones, but doesn’t care about the “simulation factor,” this ring is a great deal
- Lifetime warranty
- A classic yet modern style
Cons
- Yet another prong setting
- As noted above, some may be disappointed that the large stone isn’t “real”
The Verdict
We selected two favorites: one in the higher price bracket and a second at the lower end of the price range.
For our higher end pick, we went with the Pamela Love Essential ring at about a thousand and six hundred dollars. The bezel setting provides peace of mind that the stone will stay securely in place.
The crisp, modern design is likely to appeal to someone who’s not too attached to tradition. In other words, a woman who’d prefer an opal over a diamond.
At the lower price point, we chose the 925 Sterling Silver Real Genuine Opal Women’s Band Ring for around less than a hundred and eighty. What we liked about this silver ring is that it wasn’t designed to look like it was made from a different material.
Instead of covering the silver with gold plating, this ring lets the silver shine. It looks like a family heirloom and with care, it could certainly turn into one.
