Distant Galaxies

Antique Opal & Diamond Ring in White Gold & Platinum, England, c. 1920


€ 3,690.00 *
Content 1 piece
Incl. VAT, Shipping
Antique Opal & Diamond Ring in White Gold & Platinum, England, c. 1920
Antique Opal & Diamond Ring in White Gold & Platinum, England, c. 1920
Description
This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!
Australia is famous for having the most beautiful opals in the world. But did you know that pieces of jewellery featuring Australian precious opals haven’t been on the gemstone market for very long? The first European to discover opals in Australia was the German geologist Johannes Menge. He found opals north of Adelaide in 1841—but little attention was paid to these discoveries, as they were not yet precious gem-quality opals suitable for jewelry. The first documented discoveries of precious opals date back to 1872. Commercial mining then began in the 1890s in Queensland. Finally, in 1905, additional opal fields were discovered in Lightning Ridge, followed by Coober Pedy in 1915 and Andamooka in 1930. This ring, which we discovered in London, features a large Australian solid opal with an unusual body; it is a so-called “Crystal Opal.” The natural gemstone, cut into a large, shimmering cabochon, displays opaque and slightly translucent zones that one can gaze into as if into distant galaxies. Depending on the angle of the light, red nebulae or green flashes appear above blue bands. Its dominant colour is a fresh green. The opal, set in a crape setting, is paired with two cushion-cut old-cut diamonds, and an English maker’s mark leaves no doubt that the ring was crafted in England. We date it to around 1920.
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Size & Details
Antique Opal & Diamond Ring in White Gold & Platinum, England, c. 1920
Distant Galaxies
€ 3,690.00 *
Content 1 piece
Incl. VAT, Shipping
Our Promise
Our Promise
Our Promise

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You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

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