1.9ct Black Opal - rescued from an old stick pin, and set in a ring with a halo of diamonds

A while ago I picked up this black opal in a stick pin, part of a fabulous collection of gent's pins being auctioned off with no reserve.

Some of the curiosity pieces went for quite good money, and while things like Essex crystals of dogs, a gem encrusted ballerina, and a few others were bid up, no one wanted the plain single gemstone items, and the auctioneer somewhat reluctantly knocked this down to me for my opening bid.

Based on the pin it was in, and others in the collection I'd date it to the 1920's or 30's.

The opal is fabulous, it's 12 x 8.5mm and weighs 1.9ct. It's as black as night and very desirable because of the predominant reds set off by blue and green flashes.

It was a no-brainer to get it made into a ring, and we went for a very plain look with just a halo of little diamonds, all it needed, because the opal is the star of the show.