Alexandrite Engagement Rings
Tough enough for a ring worn every day. Hardness 8.5.
Read guide
Gemstone engagement rings / Opal
Is an opal engagement ring a good idea?
Opal is unlike any other stone: flashes of every colour that move as you turn your hand. It’s also one of the softest stones people choose for an engagement ring. Here’s the honest picture.
PK
Parth KananiOctober 2026 · 5 min read
In short: We don’t recommend opal for a ring you’ll wear every day. It’s soft (5.5–6.5), can crack if knocked or dried out, and scratches easily. If you love it, choose a solid opal in a bezel setting and take it off for anything rough.
Shifting rainbow colours
Illustration
Everyday wear
How well does opal wear?
Better in earrings, pendants or occasional ringsSoft and sensitive to knocks and dryness. Better for occasional wear.
Opal5.5–6.5 / 10 hardness
Diamond10 / 10 hardness
Hardness (Mohs scale) is resistance to scratching. Toughness, how well a stone resists chipping and cracking, matters too, which is why our verdict isn't based on hardness alone.
What to know
What jewellers don't always tell you about opal
Solid, doublet or triplet?
A solid opal is opal all the way through. A doublet is a thin slice glued to a dark backing, and a triplet adds a clear cap on top. Doublets and triplets cost much less and can be damaged by water. The seller should tell you which it is.
Most opal comes from Australia
Australia produces most of the world’s precious opal, including the prized black opal from Lightning Ridge. Ethiopian opal is also common and costs less, but it can absorb water.
Opals need care
They can crack with sudden temperature changes and dry out over time. Keep it away from heat and harsh chemicals, and never use an ultrasonic cleaner.
Prices
What opal engagement rings cost in the UK
Real prices, not estimates: the range across 7 UK retail listings we checked in October 2026.
From
£245
Typical
£721
Up to
£1,734
Gold rings only: we left out sterling silver and lab-made (“created”) opal rings, which start under £100. Few listings say whether the opal is solid or a doublet, so ask.
For comparison: a 1ct round diamond solitaire in 18ct white gold costs about £3,900–£5,600 in Hatton Garden, or £1,650–£2,850 with a lab-grown diamond. See our Hatton Garden price guide.
Before you buy
What to ask and check
- 1Ask whether it’s solid, doublet or triplet. Look at it from the side: a straight dark line suggests a doublet.
- 2Choose a bezel setting (a metal rim around the stone) to protect the edges.
- 3Plan for a second ring for the gym, gardening and holidays.
Which metal?
Yellow and rose gold suit the warm flashes in white and crystal opals. Black opals look striking in white gold or platinum.
Which setting?
A bezel setting is the safest. A diamond halo adds sparkle, but make sure the opal sits low and protected.
Ready to look at real rings?
Coloured stones vary far more than diamonds, so see the actual stone in daylight before you commit. Many Hatton Garden jewellers will source a opal for a bespoke ring. Compare them in our independent jeweller reviews, or start designing online.
Compare other gemstones
Or see every stone side by side in our gemstone engagement ring guide.
Common Questions
Can you wear an opal engagement ring every day?+
You can, but it will show wear. Opal is soft and can crack, so expect scratches and take it off for anything physical. For a ring you never take off, sapphire or diamond will last better.
Are opals unlucky?+
That’s a 19th-century superstition, partly blamed on a Walter Scott novel. Opal is October’s birthstone and plenty of people choose it for exactly that reason.
How much does an opal engagement ring cost?+
Across 7 UK retail listings we checked in October 2026, opal engagement rings ranged from £245 to £1,734, with a typical (median) price of £721. Gold rings only: we left out sterling silver and lab-made (“created”) opal rings, which start under £100. Few listings say whether the opal is solid or a doublet, so ask.
How hard is opal?+
Opal is 5.5–6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, where diamond is 10. Our verdict: better in earrings, pendants or occasional rings. Soft and sensitive to knocks and dryness. Better for occasional wear.