Posted 9 years ago
kiwipaul
(117 items)
This antique ring features a Lightning Ridge black opal surrounded by diamonds. It was probably an engagement ring.
The opal is 6.5mm diameter so about 1ct, the diamonds are about 3.2mm so at least 10pts each. I'm not very good with diamonds, but think they're European or transitional cuts so they're probably a bit heavier.
I'd date this around 1910 to 1920's, so Edwardian to Art Deco. The shank is rose gold and stamped 18c, and I suspect the top is platinum with a nice millegrain edge, however I've never had it tested, so it could be white gold.
These early rings with Lightning Ridge black opals are rare today, and they were rare back in the day when this was made. The volume of true black opals mined has always been far lower than diamonds, emeralds, rubies or sapphires, and since black opals weren't discovered until 1904 there were no old stones to re-use.
This is a good example of true black opal with jet black (N1) body tone, which makes the colours on the surface really pop, and I've shown the back so you can see how black it is.
Incredible. So black!
W O W!!!
Beautiful!
Swoon!!!
Amazing!!!
STUNNING!
What and amazing play of color! kiwipaul, can you suggest a good way to determine "in the field" i.e. with only a magnifying glass on hand, whether an opal in the piece of jewelry is "whole"vs. a doublet or triplet. I understand that if the setting has closed back than it's likely a doublet or triplet, would you agree? What about open settings?
Hi Davyd, unfortunately there is no certain way to tell.
With a stone that's claw set it's easy because you can see the side of the stone, and see the layers of opal and backing material. However you need to know what real opal looks like, because the layer of opal in a solid gemstone is sometimes quite regular, meaning the stone looks a bit like a doublet but is in fact a solid.
However with a bezel set stone, even with an open back, it can be impossible to tell. Many of the earlier doublets were made with a backing of opal potch and quite a thick layer of opal on top, so without looking at the side edge there is no way to be sure.
Here's a few tips:
1) Old doublets in a well worn ring will usually a have tiny chips out of the edge near the bezel from being knocked, if you see these with black material showing through it will be doublet.
2) Triplets have a thick "lens" shaped crystal or plastic top over a very thin layer of opal and are backed with a perfectly flat piece of material. You can usually look into the top from side-on, if the domed top layer is clear it is a triplet.
3) A closed back in a modern piece is a strong hint it's a triplet or doublet, but that rule doesn't work so well with older pieces. The best piece I ever found was in a closed back pendant, you can see it here: http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/165835
i love it..........
Thank you, kiwipaul!
Hi Paul,
I love all your opal rings which you have posted recently. Thanks for showing them, it's a educational experience which I can hopefully put in the practice by recognising Opals from different mines.