I love opals an had the opportunity to purchase one that was over six carats in weight.  The photos that were taken were excellently done by a very good photographer.  I received it yesterday, and am not so sure I like it in person.  It has excellent play of color, but the opal seems to be a little more opaque in person than it seemed in the photos.  

So, I'm asking my fellow CDI members for their opinions.  Please opine.  I took this photo this morning.



...and here's one of the seller's images:




...and thanks to OMC's most recent PhotoBucket tutorial, I've figure out how to link pictures.

....and yet, and yet, I think it is a lovely stone, for a natural white opal, and for one of that size.  Perhaps the seller used the old 'wet' stone trick for his photography to make the colors pop like they did.

The opals do look different...but you know opals change colors with every moment.  It's a lovely setting though!   

I absolutely love the fact that it is so colorful, and I do know that opals  change constantly depending on the lighting and angles and such.  What disappointed me is that the play of color is much chunkier in the photographer's picture than in mine and what I see in real life.  It IS so very colorful, though.  I guess I should resolve to myself that I must see and buy in person.