Opal Jewelry
Fine opal jewelry comes in many styles; Australian and Mexican opal rings and opal earrings are stunning or choose opal bracelets or fine opal pendant necklace jewelry. As fine opals gemstones are unique, each gemstone having its own fire and play of color, every piece of fine opal jewelry is distinctive. This makes fine opal jewelry a sensational present and at amazingly affordable prices, you are certain to find your perfect piece of fine opal jewelry piece. Click on the images below to navigate to the relevant section or read on for more information…
 Pendants |
 Rings |
 Bracelets |
 Earrings |
Opals are enchanting gemstones with a long history. Fine opal jewelry has long been considered to be lucky bringing beauty, success, happiness and good fortune to the wearer. Nowadays fine opals are the fifth most sought after gemstone in the world.
Shakespeare called opales the “Queen of Gems”. And fine opal jewellery continues to mesmerise today. Opals have become one of October’s birthstones, making fine opal jewelry some of the most gorgeous birthstone gem jewelry around, and the perfect present for an October birthday.
Whilst their actual base color depends upon the host rock; natural opals being classified black; grey (semi-black); white; fire; crystal; or jelly (water opal), opals exhibit many colors including cherry reds, rivalling the best rubies, fiery oranges, canary yellows, tropical blues and even deep pinks. reflect and refract light into flashes of multiple colors, like a breathtaking soap bubble surface. This characteristic fiery play of color is called opalescence, and comes from the opal’s unique structure.
Opals are comprised of tiny spheres of silicon dioxide, forming a pyramid shaped grid, interspersed with water. Tiny natural faults in this grid give rise to an uninterrupted display of fine colors when the opal is viewed from any surface angle.
Most opals are polished to cabochons before being set into fine jewelry. However, fire opals can be faceted to stunning effect. Their cut the way in which opals are set into fine jewelry. Cabochon opal gemstones are often mounted in a rub-over or channel setting for maximum protection, whereas faceted fire opals can also be claw set depending on the piece.
Over 95% of the world’s natural opals are mined in Australia. All of the world’s quality black opals are mined there in Lightning Ridge; Andamooka is famous for semi-black opals and exceptional colors of boulder opals are mined in Queensland. Mexico is renowned for fine jelly or crystal opals. Lesser quantities of natural opals are found in other locations including Brazil, Peru, New Zealand, North America, South Africa, Ethiopia and Indonesia.
Rare Lightning Ridge black opals are currently highly fashionable and much sought after in fine opal jewelry. They are so prized that superior pieces too thin to cut into cabochons are set into doublets or triplets. An opal doublet comprises a thin layer of opal on a black backing of basanite or “onyx,” and an opal triplet is a very thin slice of opal sandwiched between a black glass backing piece and a transparent cap, similar to Pyrex. Fine opal jewelry uses only the only the best doublets and finest triplets.
Opals are porous gemstones and fine opal jewelry should be cleaned in a solution of warm water and mild detergent using a very soft toothbrush or a cloth only very occasionally. Follow the link for more Top Tips for Fine Opal Jewelry Care. The play of mesmerising colors makes fine opal jewelry a sensational present for anyone. And as every opal is absolutely unique, so is every piece of fine opal jewelry!
It is our pleasure to share the sublime beauty of fine opal jewelry with you and at the best bargain prices anywhere on the web. You too can own beautiful and unusual fine opal jewelry at bargain prices and draw admiring glances from your friends right now… Treat yourself today!
