Serene Victorian Opal Pearl Ring c. 1890

Caroline's Jewelry with a Past is offering a dainty Victorian era ring made of 10kt. rosy gold, circa 1890. This ring features a cabochon cut, round shaped, bezel set, color play Opal with green, blue, red, and yellow. The stone is 6.5mm round, approximately 0.95-1.0 carats and is mounted in a pinched navette shaped head. The piece is 5/8" (north to south) X 1/2" (east to west). The opal is surrounded by 17 natural, bezel set, half pearls that measure .005mm. each. The stones are mounted in a tapering band. The ring is a size 5-1/4 and can be re-sized carefully.

Until the 21st. century, quantities of Opal primarily came from Australia where the miners live underground to find the veins of precious stone. It comes in a variety of play of colors, including blue, pink, green, yellow, red, black, brown, and white among others. Crystal opal is any type of opal which has a transparent or semi-transparent body tone. If light is able to pass through the stone then it is considered a crystal opal. Crystal opals can have any or all the colors for which opals are famous. This type of opal can have a dark or light body tone. This opal is a naturally mined, solid stone.

The Victorians loved symbolism in their jewelry. Stones had hidden meanings which the owner or purchaser wished to convey. Opal has been a symbol of imagination and creativity for centuries. It is also believed to enable a person to predict the future. It is the birthstone for October.

The gold content of this piece has been tested using standard accepted testing methods, such as acid testing. The opal was measured for size using a standard jeweler's caliper. The pearls are assumed to be natural since the piece pre-dates cultured pearls. The stones were not removed from the piece to determine exact carat weight.