Opals are known for their rich color, complex beauty and their ability to complement a wide range of styles.  While this makes opals one of the most versatile gemstones in the world, it can also make it difficult to choose the right piece.  To be fair, there’s no such thing as a “Wrong” piece when it comes to opal jewelry but clients want to know the piece they choose will become something they can wear regularly – not something that can only be brought out once or twice a year.

Up or Down?

Will your opal pendant be worn higher up, closer to your neck and above the collarbone to complement a polished and chic look?  Or will you wear it on a longer chain that pairs well with more bohemian styles?  Knowing how you’ll wear your pendant can help you choose a style that can be worn with different outfits and even different chains.

Your Own Color Palate

We all have certain colors we choose to wear because they complement our natural looks.  Maybe autumnal colors bring out the red in your hair or the green in your eyes.  Or maybe a spring palate accentuates the color in your skin.  Whatever works for you in terms of fashion, you can make it work with opal pendants too.  Being able to focus on certain colors makes choosing what type of opal will suit you best.

Determine Your Undertone

If you don't already know which colors complement you then the best place to start is by determining your undertone.  While there are several different palates to choose from in terms of eye, hair and skin tone coloring combinations, there are only two undertones.  This makes it fairly simple to determine what yours is and to select pendants which will complement you.  To find your undertone, look at the underside of your wrist, directly below your open palm.  Have a look at the veins along the inside of your wrist.  If the veins there have a slightly green tone, you have warm undertones.  If they are more blue or purple, you’re cool.

Now that you have an idea on color and style you can get down to choosing the right opal for your look.

Warm Undertones – People with a warm undertone are best complemented by autumnal colors like brown, gold, burgundy, deep greens and rich purples.  There are several Anderson Beattie opals that complement this coloring.  Our Smooth and Sleek Matrix Opals bring together rich mahogany with natural accents of purple and green.  In fact, the Matrix opal’s coloring makes it an ideal choice in terms of coloring and we work to create stunning cuts and amazing settings.  The deep brown coloring and blue highlights of our 36ct Matrix Opal Pendant for example, is the perfect complement for warm tones.

Cool Undertones – If your undertone is on the cooler side, you probably already gravitate towards colors like bright blues, vibrant greens and royal navy blue.  For you, sparkling opals such as our 1.48ct Solid Boulder Opal and 1.54ct Solid Boulder Opal offer a perfect fit.

Any Undertone – Of course, not all pieces have to adhere to this undertone rule – it’s simply a good jump off point.   We have several pieces that incorporate colors that complement every style, every tone, every person.  Our Flower-Shaped Boulder Opal Pendant, for example, features opals that reflect both warm and cool colors, making it a truly unifying piece.

Opals are some of the most versatile and colorful gemstones in the world.  At Anderson Beattie we are committed to bringing out the natural beauty in these stones so they in turn, can bring out the natural beauty in our clients.