<p>Is opal (looks a pearl but very glittery) a good idea for a class ring? </p>
<p>I love the stone and even reserved one but can't really match it to any of the rings. When I try the combinations it doesn't really look like a class ring or looks too plain. Or is getting a jewel (synthetic or real) a better idea in the long run. </p>
<p>We're ordering this week. Any advice?</p>
<p>If you're planning to wear your ring every day for a long time, opal is probably not the best choice. It's a fairly soft stone, which may be easily damaged. Sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear.</p>
<p>"Opal is not a durable gemstone, because of low hardness, brittleness, low heat tolerance, and the fact that it may be ruined by exposure to chemicals. As the water content diminishes, the stone may lose color and crack."</p>
<p>usna_reject,
Good question. Opals are beautiful, but fragile, better for a pendant than a ring. My mid and I have been doing some serious talking about the rings for the past two months. She is having a family stone put in her ring. Otherwise, I would recommend for a female the medium ring, 18k gold, satin finish with a synthetic sapphire (sapphire and ruby are almost as hard as a diamond) open back. My mid thinks the ring box is ugly so she isn't ordering the box. As an officer you will probably have a box/chest for your insignia that you could keep your ring in, or a beautiful jewelry box. Congratulations E....!</p>
<p>Have you looked at an aquamarine? My husband chose that for his, mainly for the sentimental linkage to the color of the ocean. Get it, Navy, ocean, LOL!! His is set in 14k yellow and it is a gorgeous ring. It makes a beautiful miniature for someone special too. ;) He gave me a miniature, just like his, except mine has tiny diamonds <chips really=""> encircling the aquamarine. I simply love it.</chips></p>
<p>You're getting good advice here. </p>
<p>While trying to repair an opal ring for my mother-in-law, my husband dropped the stone and it SHATTERED. The little shards were actually very pretty, although m-i-l didn't seem to see it that way ...</p>
<p>I had mine done with a synthetic darkest blue I could find synthetic star sapphire. Solid back. Antique green gold. Don't know why one would want an open back. I have received many many positive comments over the years. It was a common set up for my era at the Academy but very unique out in the civilian world. </p>
<p>One comment: I do think the plain yellow gold rings age better and look great with the lettering worn smooth. If I were buying now, it would be blue star sapphire with plain yellow gold.</p>
<p>Got the sapphire on cruise for about $50 and the ring was an additional $150 or so. It was stolen when a realtor showed my house and the replacement was close to $1500.</p>
<p>^^^^^ I have the blue star sapphire and 14K gold ring from Josten's - no finish - and I get lots of compliments. The ring I have was one of the more popular combos in the 80's - blue rounded stone of varying colors, depending on preference. </p>
<p>My wife had my wedding ring fitted to my class ring so I can wear them together on my left hand - I always thought that was the "correct" way to do it, and you see a lot of older grads wear their rings that way.</p>
<p>I bought my wife a miniature several years ago with the same config as my ring and she never takes it off.</p>
<p>BTW, In the "old days" I used to work at a country club in HS where there were several old grads from the 20's and 30's whose rings were worn as USNA69 says. The rings were 18K gold, so softer and more susceptible to wear. Pretty cool looking, in any case...</p>
<p>From an Annapolis jeweler: </p>
<p>If you order a genuine full cut gemstone from a local jeweler you must order an open back ring. If you select a gemstone surrounded by a diamond cluster, you may choose an open back or closed back ring, but an open back is recommended around clusters as they are easier to clean over time. Also, please note that there is an additional charge from the ring company for a closed back ring.</p>
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<p>We just sent the stones to Herff Jones or Jostens or whoever and they mounted them. A solid back, to me, was worth the extra cost.</p>
<p>I read your comments this morning, but looking again I wanted the opal. This time I tried it with the cluster and it looked so much better.<br>
I ordered the medium with cubic z. (looks like diamond but less expensive) cluster 14K white gold, dark antique.<br>
There's a life time warranty so if the stone breaks or falls off they'll replace it for free.<br>
I hope it all works out in the end:/</p>
<p>I opted not to get a ring. The rumour was if you didn't get a ring you had to speak to the Commandant. Sounded like a good deal to me...never did see the Commandant on that matter. When I could finally get the one I wanted, I ordered one about 8 years later I believe and did get a grey star sapphire with a diamond chip on each side. The diamonds do make the ring and the stars are pretty beautiful. It's all a personal choice but don't choose hastily. Best of luck with your decision.</p>
<p>E...., Your ring sounds beautiful. Again, congratulations and can you see that light at the end of the tunnel?</p>
<p>usna69, I agree that the solid back makes sense for most settings, but we were not willing to send the family stone to Jostens. I'm sorry to hear that your original ring was stolen. Do you believe in karma?</p>
<p>mvljog440, We want to know why you finally ordered that ring eight years later!</p>
<p>usna69, I meant karma for the rat who stole your ring.</p>
<p>For prospective mids, parents, etc.
Share your costs of rings?</p>
<p>Current cost for rings: W/ topaz, 14k gold, standard finish, . . . .I think it's about $1,100.</p>
<p>Just thought you might be curious</p>
<p>I have to wait for ensign pay :/</p>
<p>I'm over at Kings Point, just ordered my class ring. Gotta 14k large ring, satin finish, fire blue spinel facet cut, a diamond on the side of the ring (north star) and two diamond dividers on top...like <em>United States</em>Merchant Marine Academy with the school name looping around the stone. It was about 950...and I was on the cheap side. I know kids who spent over 2000...I donno...maybe when I'm real rich one day I'll put a genuine sapphire in their....but for now i'm good.</p>
<p>Mine was about 1250 . . . I'll use some of 2nd class loan to pay.</p>
<p>^^^Congratulations!</p>
<p>I'm glad to see these prices because I was just going to get a combat ring and then peer pressure to "go big" took over. Mine total is $997 and I still feel very guilty about it :/ That could have gone to my future la-z-boy.</p>
<p>A La-z-boy will last you - what? - 5, 10 maybe 15 years, depending upon how many times you move and how the movers treat it, if you have kids who throw up on it or how often you spill your beer on it while watching Army beat Navy.</p>
<p>Your class ring will last you forever.</p>