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Post by opalpyrexia on May 7, 2020 13:25:44 GMT -5
Here's a 6 carat opal that I made into a pendant on Monday. I had planned for a more elaborate design but some careless filing errors killed that idea.  I stewed about it for a day before finally accepting my wife's advice: "Just put a bail on it and be done with it!"
When I finished photography I was very disappointed by the fire appearing washed out. That's really no surprise at all for anyone who shoots opal — and especially white base — but I thought it would at least look a little better. So here's my question. What do you think about adding a final photo (on Etsy) like the one on the right. Not a side-by-side like this one here. It would be a duplicate of the one on the left, except that only the opal itself would be edited to approximate what my eyes saw. The photo would include some brief clarification text, too. (BTW, the edited fire is close but not quite right yet. I have to re-shoot anyway because a different photo, straight-on, wasn't quite straight-on and the bail looks like it isn't straight-on, which it actually is.)
How do you think prospective buyers might react? Any wording change? Would you expect a fuller explanation in the pendant's description? Don't do it??
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Post by mohs on May 7, 2020 13:36:47 GMT -5
the setting are sleek
and the stones so yum
really realy fine crafting Gary
and the wife is wise
ya set a really nice bail
as far etsy goes
obviously those are quality pendants
so if a person is in that market
there snatched !~
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Post by knave on May 7, 2020 14:18:53 GMT -5
Here's a 6 carat opal that I made into a pendant on Monday... I like to think I have somewhat of a consumer’s viewpoint, being newer to the hobby. Anyways, my opinion is, no shame in correcting the colors to reflect real life experience. The one time I bought some moonstone from India, they showed a shining blue stone and when I got it it was white. Haha. Don’t do that, lol. |
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Post by opalpyrexia on May 7, 2020 14:24:10 GMT -5
the setting are sleek and the stones so yum really realy fine crafting Gary and the wife is wise ya set a really nice bail as far etsy goes obviously those are quality pendants so if a person is in that market there snatched !~
Thank you.
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Post by opalpyrexia on May 7, 2020 14:27:55 GMT -5
Here's a 6 carat opal that I made into a pendant on Monday... I like to think I have somewhat of a consumer’s viewpoint, being newer to the hobby. Anyways, my opinion is, no shame in correcting the colors to reflect real life experience. The one time I bought some moonstone from India, they showed a shining blue stone and when I got it it was white. Haha. Don’t do that, lol.
Thanks, Evan. Now I'm thinking that, if I do it, it should be a side-by-side with a copy of the uncorrected photo. If it's the last photo, I would think that only serious/interested people would bother to look at it.
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Post by mohs on May 7, 2020 14:29:51 GMT -5
well I'm not a good client
but I can see quality Gary
I wouldn't hesitate
if I was in that market
if I had that special someone
they'd already be snathed
have a memory of opal & sterling
do you do lots of pendants w/ opal?
anyways those are xquizite
does 100 bucks get one in ballpark?
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Post by rockjunquie on May 7, 2020 14:40:57 GMT -5
I have been forced to do that, too, on occasion. My opinion is that if the edited picture more accurately reflects the real thing then it's fine- even without a disclaimer. I would NOT use the unedited picture along side of it or even in the same ad. Really, as long as the picture and the product are similar, no one should ever be the wiser. Is it cheating? I don't think so.
I would like to add that it is a beautiful pendant and the stone is gorgeous. Sometimes, simple is perfect. I have to say this- though and I hate to do so, but I think the bail could be smaller. But, that's just my opinion.
ETA- The edit was really well done.  It doesn't look manipulated. |
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Post by Pat on May 7, 2020 14:47:43 GMT -5
Since the right photo is what you see is what you get, I'd just use it and forget the left photo and forget the explanation. Important for buyer to get what they see. I like it!
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Post by opalpyrexia on May 7, 2020 14:51:18 GMT -5
well I'm not a good client but I can see quality Gary I wouldn't hesitate if I was in that market if I had that special someone they'd already be snathed have a memory of opal & sterling do you do lots of pendants w/ opal? anyways those are xquizite does 100 bucks get one in ballpark?
Thanks, Ed. I have lots of opals and there are several factors that influence value, so $100 is possible. But not for this one.
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Post by opalpyrexia on May 7, 2020 14:59:02 GMT -5
I have been forced to do that, too, on occasion. My opinion is that if the edited picture more accurately reflects the real thing then it's fine- even without a disclaimer. I would NOT use the unedited picture along side of it or even in the same ad. Really, as long as the picture and the product are similar, no one should ever be the wiser. Is it cheating? I don't think so.
I would like to add that it is a beautiful pendant and the stone is gorgeous. Sometimes, simple is perfect. I have to say this- though and I hate to do so, but I think the bail could be smaller. But, that's just my opinion.
ETA- The edit was really well done. It doesn't look manipulated.
Thanks, that's helpful. I still feel that it's potentially risky business. The fire is not consistent from all viewing and light directions. I do include boilerplate for all of my opals and opal jewelry, and that with a little editing may be sufficient to support some photo editing:
"Opals look different depending on the type and intensity of light. They look their very best in sunlight and incandescent light, but they also look very good with halogen and some of the newer LED lighting. Traditional fluorescent lighting is the poorest, but some of the newer fluorescent bulbs have phosphors that are pretty good for viewing opals." |
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Post by opalpyrexia on May 7, 2020 15:02:43 GMT -5
I have to say this- though and I hate to do so, but I think the bail could be smaller. But, that's just my opinion.
I agree, Tela. I was initially going to use a smaller one but it was a plain bail. That didn't quite look "up to snuff" to me.
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Post by rockjunquie on May 7, 2020 15:05:45 GMT -5
I have been forced to do that, too, on occasion. My opinion is that if the edited picture more accurately reflects the real thing then it's fine- even without a disclaimer. I would NOT use the unedited picture along side of it or even in the same ad. Really, as long as the picture and the product are similar, no one should ever be the wiser. Is it cheating? I don't think so.
I would like to add that it is a beautiful pendant and the stone is gorgeous. Sometimes, simple is perfect. I have to say this- though and I hate to do so, but I think the bail could be smaller. But, that's just my opinion.
ETA- The edit was really well done. It doesn't look manipulated.
Thanks, that's helpful. I still feel that it's potentially risky business. The fire is not consistent from all viewing and light directions. I do include boilerplate for all of my opals and opal jewelry, and that my be sufficient to support some photo editing:
"Opals look different depending on the type and intensity of light. They look their very best in sunlight and incandescent light, but they also look very good with halogen and some of the newer LED lighting. Traditional fluorescent lighting is the poorest, but some of the newer fluorescent bulbs have phosphors that are pretty good for viewing opals." Yeah, opals are hard to sell online. I gave up trying. I have a bunch of nice ones tucked away for - one of these days... I think your disclaimer about sizes it up. Anyone who knows opals, though, already knows how fluid the color play can be.
Is that a mintabie or lightning ridge? As big and nice as it is, you should get a real nice price for it.
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Post by opalpyrexia on May 7, 2020 15:34:54 GMT -5
Yeah, opals are hard to sell online. I gave up trying. I have a bunch of nice ones tucked away for - one of these days... I think your disclaimer about sizes it up. Anyone who knows opals, though, already knows how fluid the color play can be.
Is that a mintabie or lightning ridge? As big and nice as it is, you should get a real nice price for it.
I've done reasonably well selling opal jewelry and individual opals, but it's sporadic. Some of that difficulty is due to some bargain basement sellers on Etsy, outright mislabelling ("black opals" that look white to me! Doublets that are not explicitly described!), the general lack of knowledge by the US market, and Etsy's cheap general sweet spot pricing. I've sold a few hot doublets to people who I assume were jewelers. I have a few sweet opals listed that I think are steals.
This opal is from Coober Pedy. It's from my "you need to start banging out pendants and rings" parcel. |
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Post by MsAli on May 7, 2020 16:27:29 GMT -5
I really like that pendant and I agree that if the photo represents the actual colors then it is more than acceptable to use.
Maybe a video also if possible?
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Post by opalpyrexia on May 7, 2020 17:18:40 GMT -5
I really like that pendant and I agree that if the photo represents the actual colors then it is more than acceptable to use. Maybe a video also if possible?
Thanks, Ali. I have done a few videos when requested, but I'm not very good at it.
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Post by knave on May 7, 2020 17:29:24 GMT -5
Wow Gary! Went and looked at all the photos and I’m impressed. My opinion is this. Put the high color image in, as it CAN be seen at certain angles. No special disclaimer needed. Maybe not the “featured” photo, but if a buyer is interested enough to click through a few, give them that WOW moment.
BTW your silver work is superb.
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Post by opalpyrexia on May 7, 2020 18:23:18 GMT -5
Wow Gary! Went and looked at all the photos ...
Thanks, Evan!
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,039 
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Post by gemfeller on May 7, 2020 19:02:58 GMT -5
Great pendant and stone Gary. I've never understood the logic behind the commandment: Thou Shalt Not Edit Items For Sale to make them appear the same way as they do in hand. Granted, some jerks boost saturation and contrast to exaggerate and misrepresent the appearance of their items. They are low-lifes and are soon found out.
I want my customers to receive items that appear as close as possible to my sales images. Even with editing that's not always possible due to the technical peculiarities of some cameras and monitors. But that's my goal and I've had only one minor complaint in nearly 20 years of on-line gem/jewelry sales. The complaint came about because I failed to edit a stone image correctly.
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Post by toiv0 on May 7, 2020 20:07:13 GMT -5
Man Gary, I would sure be disappointed if I got a better opal than what was pictured. Might even ask for my money back. I think put it in without explanation. Your work is superb as always. Love looking at your pieces.
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Post by opalpyrexia on May 7, 2020 20:29:47 GMT -5
Great pendant and stone Gary. I've never understood the logic behind the commandment: Thou Shalt Not Edit Items For Sale to make them appear the same way as they do in hand. Granted, some jerks boost saturation and contrast to exaggerate and misrepresent the appearance of their items. They are low-lifes and are soon found out. I want my customers to receive items that appear as close as possible to my sales images. Even with editing that's not always possible due to the technical peculiarities of some cameras and monitors. But that's my goal and I've had only one minor complaint in nearly 20 years of on-line gem/jewelry sales. The complaint came about because I failed to edit a stone image correctly.
Thanks for that, Rick. Much appreciated.
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I stewed about it for a day before finally accepting my wife's advice: "Just put a bail on it and be done with it!"
It doesn't look manipulated. 
