This Blue Opal has varying shades of denim blue- front light to dark. This stone was meant to be paired with shiny Sterling Silver in a statement ring.
My process: I wrapped the stone in a fine silver bezel for sizing and then attached the bezel to a piece of sterling silver sheet. The sheet was trimmed with a jeweler’s saw to leave a small lip all of backplate all of the way around the stone and hand filed smooth. The 12 gauge double half round sterling wire was formed into a ring shank and attached to the back of the backplate. The ring then took a spin in the tumbler for a final polish and hardening before I set the stone.
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For my fellow rock geeks: Blue opals are considered common opals, or “potch”, because they do not exhibit color play or flash like Precious Opals. This Opal came from Peru, which is known for it’s pastel colored common opals: blue, pink, and green. Common opals also come in other colors, such as yellow, and patterns, such as dendrite opals (white with black de drives). Common Opal can be found in several areas around the world including Nevada and Oregon, USA, Mexico, and Kenya among others.
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Materials: Fine silver, Sterling silver, Blue Opal
Dimensions: approximately 1 1/4" (32 mm) tall by 15/16” (24 mm) wide. The band is 12 gauge double half round. Size 6 3/4 - 7
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Please keep in mind that all pieces of jewelry from Tabby Cat are handmade using natural gemstones. Handmade means that there may be marks from the tools used in the process of making the setting. Natural gemstones are just that- natural. They may have pits in the surface or inclusions visible in transparent and translucent stones. These things just add to the charm of piece.