Why are Opal Valuations Garbage 99% of the Time? Roys Rocks Rants 1

[@OpalAuctions53Frogs]

Amen brother. This stone would sell for $30 in my shop at No Reserve. Totally dishonest behaviour here. I'm bookmarking this link and showing it to anybody that pulls out one of these BS evaluations!

[@RoysRocks]

I'm sure like me you get shown a lot of these valuations. Waste of trees these reports.

[@zoinkaboose]

@nnOpals I just saw this comment! Good to see I'm not far off of the mark in my thoughts about what it might sell for.

[@nicolemurray-jeffery7433]

Likewise

[@LifeIsWhatYouMakit]

There are appraisal factories in the USA as well. They appraise lead filled rubies as $25,000 rings when in fact they are worth maybe $500 at most. This is a world wide problem I think and should be illegal you’re right. Good video appreciated someone speaking up!

[@RoysRocks]

It has to be made illegal and there has to be some reporting that can be done to get these guys a warning before serious penalties.

[@IntergalacticAustralianOpal]

Excellent video and it's insane how these appraisers and valuations are so far out of the ballpark... Something needs to be done about this. I had no idea what these appraisals and valuations were for - it seems like this is literally set up for insurance fraud...

[@RoysRocks]

Its super strange I just saw another valuation from one of these two and... it was actually not that bad. How they can be so hit or miss I have no idea. Maybe they saw the video haha

[@stevenpolack4444]

I've always thought this was a problem. But im no "expert" 😂 Those certificates are absolutely bonkers. Thanks for exposing it 👍👍

[@RoysRocks]

They are insane. I reckon I could show that to an average person on the street and they would call BS. I show my partner a stone I'm working on and say it is about $10k for a big gem belemnite and she can't believe it. 😂

[@jeffholmes1362]

Wow I’m rich. If sand shot opal is worth over $1000 a carat, I’m a millionaire. 😂😂😂

[@RoysRocks]

I said on the original post I might be close to a billionaire! Turns out fossils are worth their weight in gold.

[@nancycurtis7315]

Thanks Roy. It's a common thing. They are not able to value pearls, either. Mine were from Broome. Went to restring and value. Told 400 dollars, once restringing complete. They are well into 5 figures!!😂. Oh. I have FINALLY started! On the hardest. The fossil. You know what is there. Some lovely colours peeking out and I'm not going to cut it much. Just smooth the chip on edge of shell. I have spent hours with a sharpened dart point, just picking between shell growth lines and getting the grot out. Cant bear the thought of making anything but at beautiful fossil. LOL. I love it as an artifact more. Have a great day everyone.

[@RoysRocks]

Oh a sharpened dart point is not a bad idea. I might try that myself...

[@nancycurtis7315]

@RoysRocks This was a very old dart. Maybe high carbon content, as it keeps the point very well. I didn't have a probe, so hunted the " that might come in handy" drawer! Found dart. It took hours to sharpen it! Very handy pick to have. Sorry if made wrong decision on fossil, but I can't ever do anything but this to it. Just get the detail as best I can out.. Opal factor got shelved when I laid my eyes on it. Sorry if that disappoints you, but it was alive once. Even the muscles inside and hinge at rear are intact. Thank you so much for trust on this. I hope you are happy with my decision.

[@nicolemurray-jeffery7433]

Exactly! I know of someone just starting out… had a Freeform valued at $30k, photos are not great and I wouldn’t even pay $1k for it. These valuers need some education and some form of compliance they should have to adhere to, not a guesstimate.

[@RoysRocks]

I dont think it is education. I am confident they know opal. I think they know exactly what they are doing. Regulation probably wouldnt even do anything because no one would police it. Its all just up to the community.

[@hudmumper]

I had someone ask me once about the value of their opal ring. I told them i wasn't a professional and didn't have ANY experience in valuation but they were insistent. I gave them my best guess, Well, they didn't talk to me for months, nearly a year. I still have no idea if they feel i under or over valued it in their eyes. I don't resile from my valuation (guess)but i kind of regret sharing it with them. Things like this though ...just make my blood boil. As a friend of mine would say "My gast has been flabbered" 😮

[@RoysRocks]

I feel the pain. Its why I always go with things like "it would be a fast sell at $x but you could up it and just hold on at $y, you can always reduce the price later".

[@rachelruggieri5491]

It would be cool if you made more triple R videos on various topics. This video shocked me so much. Opals are a difficult gemstone to value because they are each unique but I didn’t think it was this bad. You can always sell something for any price but it doesn’t mean anyone will buy it, but if someone does buy one of these it will become tragic. Everyone, please make educated choices when looking for an “investment piece” be careful out there.

[@RoysRocks]

The worst part is paying for the insurance on this stone at a $30k value when it is worth less than $1k. My home and contents would be in the 10's of millions if I had a valuation done on all my stones from these companies.

[@Matti_H_]

I saw the post you are referring to and agree 100%. Some of the coments were harsh , I think a lot of people just jump straight to the opinion of scammer rather than consider the circumstance that the seller may not have the knowledge and relying on the information they have .

[@RoysRocks]

Yeah it happens a lot where people think it is the poster that is trying to scam others when really I think most of the time they are the ones that were scammed by these valuation companies.

[@bentationfunkiloglio]

Wow. That's the most rediculous valuation I've ever seen. Similar thing happens with other gems, unfortunately. I've seen tourists trap "gem panning" places here in The States suggest ridiculously high valuations for low-value, man made minerals. The scam in this case is motivating people to have the rough mineral cut and placed in jewelry.

[@RoysRocks]

It is such an old swindle and yet in 2024 it seems to be as strong as ever. Ridiculously annoying.

[@kenoathiog1156]

As a fellow ranter…. Love your work 😂

[@RoysRocks]

Haha a rare rant from me.

[@Marb-pd9jz]

Thanks for sharing Roy. It's a bit over priced for sure and I'm no expert! 😊

[@RoysRocks]

You are not wrong. guess it is just targeting those with zero expertise but still, so unethical.

[@hannagyllensten475]

Would be interested to know how correct stated prices of super expensive museum grade opals are, too. Interesting topic.

[@RoysRocks]

Here at the SA museum they are pretty good. Essentially there is a program where you can donate/sell a stone to the museum tax free and the valuer they use actually knows what they are doing.

[@matthewsadigh9004]

Completely agree Roy, it's always been a pet hate of mine. Ruins the industry, there's enough distrust and miss-information in the industry without all this. These people evaluating opal should be regulated.. the industry as a whole needs reform imo, I know aus was built by crooks but that was along time ago! 😅

[@RoysRocks]

Seems the crooks get to keep it up. I dont think I can trigger any change but at least people know what to look out for a tad bit more. I wish I could get a politician interested in this one but I doubt it.

[@JSGilbert]

Not just opal and not even just gemstones. It seems that so many people believe their items are worth far more than they actually are.

[@RoysRocks]

Especially if they get told by professional valuers that they are worth 1000% more than actuality.

[@bbisyy4u]

That’s crazy. It’s sad to see people taking advantage of people who are less knowledgeable. Such a scam and people actually believe them. It doesn’t take many bad apples to spoil the whole bunch.

[@RoysRocks]

I looked it up and the prices range from about $150+ for each stone. Absolutely ridiculous. Under a certain value it is just not worth doing.

[@IntergalacticAustralianOpal]

@@RoysRockshow does know where to even go at that point if one did need to properly appraise a stone professionally, since the BS is so rampant? Are there any very reputable sources.

[@brotell1950]

Thank you for the info

[@RoysRocks]

No worries. Just raging at the time of this recording.

[@ccccarriemchardy9216]

I wish more people would speak up about this. There are reputable ones and not. Stick with the main big labs is my best advise.

[@RoysRocks]

So do I. I will try and get some traction and speak to some of the big players that I am 100% sure have seen and hate this as much as I do.

[@ccccarriemchardy9216]

@@RoysRocks It takes sometimes naming them to achieve their name mark.

[@kenoathiog1156]

….. though I’m kinda wondering whether it would cut & whether the sand is through the middle … 😂

[@RoysRocks]

Haha I'm not sure I could do any more for this stone. The back was all lumpy so I could fix that.

[@PulitzerOpal]

Give 'em hell, Roy! (I would give that shell away in a video .... really)

[@RoysRocks]

I've done the same in my giveaways.. except the shell still looked like a shell.

[@pkgoldopalhunting]

its a joke some of these evaluations mate, and when you put a negative or even a neutral, review they block you , its a shame on how they can rip people of, you can send back they say then you have to fight to get your money back block you valuations are not the paper written on , evaluators making money of people , good you talking about this topic mate

[@RoysRocks]

Its a crazy free money printer. I should be doing valuations at this rate. I'd take it seriously and give reasonable figures like they do for properties. Include real world sale of similar gems and all sorts. Not just $1.3k/ct out of nowhere.

[@pkgoldopalhunting]

@@RoysRocks yar mate bit of a joke there mite be a few reputable evaluators out there but dont know where

[@elishadoyle8191]

Im so glad ive done my homework

[@RoysRocks]

I would trust you to come up with a price better than these guys 100%. Anyone that has done 10 minutes of homework could do better.

[@cshaps1212]

And I thought black opal direct was expensive.

[@RoysRocks]

Man if he got his valued by these "professionals" he would certainly be a billionaire on paper.

[@EvelynPic]

If this video reaches just one uneducated opal buyer, you will have done something really wonderful.

[@RoysRocks]

Lets hope so. Dont need to stop these companies if people just stop approaching them for valuations.

[@ragieusbuilds8778]

I saw this ad in one of the groups. The comments where worth more then that stone xD

[@RoysRocks]

I hope the poster takes the stone and valuation back to those 2 companies and lets them know they are garbage.

[@charleslatre1436]

Sometimes it helps to get things off the shoulder

[@RoysRocks]

I'd be picking up every rock on the side of the road in Coober Pedy for these kind of valuations.

[@Teknojok]

Do the evaluators get a percentage?

[@RoysRocks]

No they seem to charge $150+ per stone upfront.

[@Teknojok]

Sounds like they want them to come back perhaps.

[@bubbleox8631]

How many people can own that exact opal and how many exactly the same exist anywhere I seen A pink diamond sold for more and you can reproduced this exact diamond any amount of times as you like .Don’t rubbish the national gem LET US SEE IT BE ARTIFICIALLY REPRODUCED as it offends personally. WHEN YOU LOOSE A CRYSTAL YOU CAN MAKE ANOTHER ONE when you loose an opal it’s lost forever .

[@RoysRocks]

Not exact but you can get this quality OR 1000% better for that same price. You can say it is not identical but they can be graded and mis grading is harmful to everyone in the industry. Gradings exists for all gemstones for good reason. This behavior can not be defended.

[@TomsBackyardWorkshop]

Id say thats about a $200 - $300 opal.

[@RoysRocks]

I'd say you are about right on the money.

[@elishadoyle8191]

Its absolutely disgusting 🤮. Makes me soooo angry 😡. Im not racist by any means but a lot of stones that come from India and china are a total rip off and they lie about what they are trying to sell. They make their opals and gems look great and big in advertisement but when you get it in hand its just disappointing. I wonder if these people are from India too?

[@RoysRocks]

Nope Australian based companies that 100% know better. Makes me rage as well. Hence the only rant video I've done on the channel after cracking it that night.

[@dcallan812]

Roy's Rocky Rant's sounds like a funny title. The stone is just that a stone, any resemblance toa shell was rubbed off. Damn Nova points JUST KIDDING Nova make some great kit its the people using them thats 99% of the issue. Its not that nice an opal the marks round the top and left angle.

[@RoysRocks]

Its a pretty rough stone and yeah no longer a shall in the minds of most. Roys Rocks Rants episode 1. Lets see how long it take for me to be annoyed enough to make an episode 2.

[@Scarlet_Soul]

Okay it's a bit of a larger stone but that has to be a sub £1000 stone

[@RoysRocks]

Probably closer to £100.

[@Scarlet_Soul]

@@RoysRocks I was trying to be kind to the valuer XD

[@zoinkaboose]

Geeez, $100? I would ask for $60 then take home $40. The fun of carving it would pay for the excess as I'm a complete learner.

[@RoysRocks]

I've seen a few pretty average shell carvings sell for a few hundred so I would have been alright with that for a valuation.

[@ROCKINWHEELERS]

I LIKE/LOVE SHELLS AND OHHH BELLIMITES.

[@RoysRocks]

Opalised fossils are the best there is for sure.

[@joekalmar1085]

that would be those crap online valuations, the ones where you input the information, they charge from 50 to 100 dollars, be very very wary of them, cheers opal joe andamooka

[@RoysRocks]

Nope in person at a specific opal store in one case and a professional opal valuer for the other. Not sure what one is charging but the other is a flat $150AUD

[@joekalmar1085]

@@RoysRocks then probably nick kolias would be one of them lol

[@handlesmademeloseauniqename]

Step 1 get GIA certified Step 2 make shit up Step 3 profit

[@RoysRocks]

These didn't even get GIA certified. Step 1: make shit up. Step 2: Profit.

[@redeyestones3738]

Pssshhh... that looks like $75 per carat material. Some people's kids...

[@RoysRocks]

Probably at best even at todays skyrocketing prices.

[@ieatcaribou7852]

Let’s see these “professionals” offer to buy any of the stones they value. I’ll rely on people in the opal field rather than some clown. Let’s be honest though, the seller got ripped off but they had to realize those valuations were outrageous. 😂😂😂

[@RoysRocks]

Haha TRUE!!! I didn't even think about that but you are 100% right. They would offer a couple hundred bucks max. Imagine the awkward silence if the person picked up the certificate and asked them if they would be interested at $25,000, mates rates!

[@MikeyMikeHq]

Good laugh

[@RoysRocks]

Sometimes I laugh but sometimes they kick me in the guts like this one.

[@ROCKINWHEELERS]

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE $$$$ AND WHEN YOU FILE A CLAIM- THEY WILL NOT PAY WHAT YOU INSURED IT FOR, LUCKY IF YOU EVEN GET 10% OF VALUATION!!! ALL ABOUT THE $$$$ AND NOT PAYING YOU FOR THE ACTUAL INSURED $$$$-HAHAHAHAHA!!!

[@RoysRocks]

Not really how it works. They have to dispute the valuation and get their own and pay it out. If the item is fully gone they can't just decide on a percentage.

[@peterchristodoulou1264]

I saw this post too ridiculous

[@RoysRocks]

Crazy. I turned off my computer and went to bed but got up turned it all back on and saved the certificates. I'm saving every single one from now and raising it with the companies because they cannot be proud of these.

[@peterchristodoulou1264]

@@RoysRocksthe thing is too for new cutters who get fake evaluations on poorly cut stones with no symmetry and inclusions everywhere doesn’t help either

[@EpicsodeOne]

I have a question tho, what do you think about the RRP claims on Opal Auctions? Do you think they're not too far off realistic prices for selling in a bougee/upper-class store?

[@RoysRocks]

Depends on the seller. Some of them are also way over the top and the "discounted" price they list it at can already be considered a RRP. When they are selling a single stone for 10's or thousands of dollars it can't really be considered a wholesale price. It's like when you catch a store jack up the RRP then discount it back to the original price just before Christmas.

[@EpicsodeOne]

@@RoysRocks So you mean, even if I'm reselling them in a store the RRP is still way over the top?

[@EpicsodeOne]

Roy's Rants 😌

[@RoysRocks]

More to come... though it is rare I ever get this annoyed about a topic.

[@EpicsodeOne]

@@RoysRocks The better you become, the more of a perfectionist you become, the more THAT happens, the more you will start addressing miss-info and cliches and what not. It's normal, it's the ''Shouting at kids to get off your lawn'' of slowly becoming an Opal veteran.