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Gem Quality Lightning Ridge Black Opal in an 18ct Gold Ring, probably circa 1930, and made in Australia

In Fine Jewelry > Opal Jewelry > Show & Tell and Fine Jewelry > Rings > Show & Tell.
Opal Jewelry56 of 107School of Rhoda Wager - Silver & Boulder Opal RingA Necklace of Blue Jelly Opal, circa 1910
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    Posted 9 years ago

    kiwipaul
    (117 items)

    Lightning Ridge Black Opal was a spectacular new gemstone that burst upon the 20th Century. Great jewellers embraced its arrival, and created fabulous and extravagant pieces with magnificent stones.

    In the home of opal in Australia they didn't have Lalique, or Tiffany, or Marcus & Co. However they did have the greatest opal in the world in their backyard. Gem quality black opal could be pulled out of the ground by any lucky punter who made it to the fields.

    The jewellery made locally in Australia was usually quite simple, like the 18ct gold ring above, set with a marquise shaped black opal that's 12.5 x 5mm and weighs 1.81ct.

    There's no circle of diamonds to enhance the stone, just a simple split shank setting that wouldn't be out of place in an antique Georgian or Victorian ring.

    The opal is the star of the show. This is gem quality black opal. It exhibits a strong play of colour right across the face of the stone, and will throw its brilliant spectrum of colours up to your eye in almost any lighting conditions.

    This simple ring, probably made in Australia in the 1920's to 1930's, is set with a Lightning Ridge black opal that's now worth well over $1,000 per carat (wholesale), and I suspect the prices today will look soon look cheap.

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    Comments

    1. Peasejean55 Peasejean55, 9 years ago
      Wow, what a beautiful ring, the colours are amazing.
    2. Manikin Manikin, 9 years ago
      What a amazing collection of Opal's you have they are stunning !
    3. Zowie Zowie, 9 years ago
      Stunning & it looks as if it has some age well done
    4. racer4four racer4four, 9 years ago
      As you say, the opal is left alone to be the star! The photos are amazing, I can't imagine how good this opal must be in life.
    5. Zowie Zowie, 9 years ago
      I agree Karen the colours would be amazing look how the yellow comes out in the photo on the right I have never seen anything like it.
    6. jensen jensen, 8 years ago
      I agree - such a magnificent opal doesn't need diamonds!

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