Posted 12 years ago
Moonstonel…
(765 items)
This was bought for the love of the Opal! I fell in love with the colour and fire that it has. I am changing it into a pendant. The Metal is hollow and I realize that the Opal is crazing on the back side. I did not care because the Opal had incredible fire!!! I would love to know the origin of the Black Opal and the stone measures 27mm x 22mm not including the mounting....what do you think..Sorry for the bad pictures...the opal in real has way more fire than I could capture.
http://www.antiquesnavigator.com/d-270163/rare-antique-black-opal-brooch-pin--box-blue-red-fire.html
mustangtony, thank you for your loving!!!!
Oh my It is soooooooooo beautiful . I am nearly as green in Opal with envy :-) Magnificent !
Manikin, thank you for the comment!!! The Opal is not perfect...but the fire of the Opal makes up for the crazing.....:)) I have never seen an Opal with such fire...I wished I could find out where is comes from... XOXOXOXO
bratjdd, I think you will find something cool one day. You never know what will turn up. This Opal was an accident and I still do not know what kind it is. Everything I have is a gamble..... :))
antiquarius123, thank you for your loving :))))
Ehh, I've always stayed away from those "mine-names" that people give to stones, because 90% of the time its impossible to be 100% sure.
Stillwater, LOL well do you think its a good Opal or a cheap one?
Doesn't look like a cheap one to me, nice size, good fire. I would soak it in water if I were you, that keeps it from drying out and crazing more, and it increases its fire. Mousiture is actually what gives opals their fire in the first place, thats why really, really old opals can turn white after a long time. You can read about soaking it online from more info if its something you'd like to do
Stillwater, will soak ASAP! Thank you my friend for your comment and loving :)) Always happy to have your opinion!!! XOXOXO
Not that I know one thing about opals, cause I don't, but didn't a bunch of them come from Australia during the 60s? Assuming that the hollow metal means a later (earlier?) vintage? I might be way off track here...
AmberRose, This was from the Victorian Era.....or maybe earlier...as far as I can tell. So the Opal is OLD.....and I think that the crazing is because the wearer was loving this brooch so much accidently trying to take if off tore it off....OR it was stolen off her by a robber? And since its so big it cracked when it was grabbed. Hm...interesting to think about :0
I'd say its a bit later, that clasp is a 20th century invention. "Bunny-ear" catches first became widespread in the late 1920's and early 1930's, so those are very useful in dating brooches.
Stillwater, the bunny ear was a later addition...I took the brooch to the store and whoever fixed or tried to fix this used pot metal to reattach a different clasp. They said they believe the original was a "C" clasp that was ripped or taken off. They said this was very old and one of the owners tried fix and maybe that's when the damage to the Opal occurred.....with the use of heat or torch. The style of the brooch is hollowware and heavily Gilted or low grade 9ct gold. I believe this was originally a Pendant Brooch combo. There is an old attachment at the top of the middle of the backing...like it was a pendant...or even a hook. What do you think...for repairs sauder was widely used at one time because gold was expensive...
Good morning to me it looks like milk opal. Just look this up on your computer & should have no trouble finding any information that you should want. By the way add Australia. Good luck
Zowie, I looked it up...and cant find one with such fire..... So is this a goodn one? Or did I waste my money? Is this worth fixing into a pendant?
I don't know what you paid for it but the stone is most probably dry from age or conditions it is kept in. I really could not defiantly say. As for wasting your money it is nice.
Zowie, I paid $65 for it. I just found a site with a similar Opal..under Milk Opal
http://www.antiquesnavigator.com/d-270163/rare-antique-black-opal-brooch-pin--box-blue-red-fire.html
what do you think?
toolate2, thank you for your loving :))
i think it's a beautiful, HUGE, black opal from Lightning Ridge. I know that opals are often mounted onto something or potch is left on the back of it to help give it some stability. i'll bet this one can be restored - and maybe mounted on some kind of black backing. holoware is very difficult to repair and not many jewelers can work w/ it. i'd contact one of the better opal experts in Australia to find out what they recommend.
ho2cultcha, WOW...thank you for the information and loving !!!! I will check out the LR and see what they have!! You are right there is potch in the back around the edges of the opal for stability. I do believe that the C clasp was broken off....and they tried to fix it..and did a poor job. I will look into stabilizing this opal more. This is the nicest Opal I have ever seen! I collect them and at first I thought this was fake. Thank you for your help....XOXOXOXO
PhilDavidAlexanderMorris, thank you for loving XOXOXOXO
BELLIN68, you are always good to me :))) XOXO
inky, thank you for loving ...this one is one of my favourites!!!
NativeJewelerylovers, thank you!!!!
Wpj, xoxoxox
Here is a site provided by vetraio50 on black opals that I found very useful! I really like your pendant, BOB
http://www.opalauctions.com/docs/opal-information/black-opal-brightness-and-pattern-charts
LOUMANAL, I love your ring!!!
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/92793-would-this-be-considered-a-black-opal
Lee
LOUMANAL, thank you for your loving!!!
musikchoo, thank you for loving!!!
kyratango, many thanks