A Custom Opal Parure
July 20th, 2012 by James L. Sweaney, CGA, FGA. GGThis beautiful opal ring is the final piece of a set of custom jewels we just completed. A frequent visitor of art and gem shows, our client had collected an eclectic mix of opals over several years.
The ring showcases a dramatic cabochon of crystal opal from Ethiopia measuring ~ 3/4 inch long. The simple design reflects light into the gem creating a glorious halo of color.
The Ginko leaf motif lends a beautiful flair to these hand fabricated earrings, set with the three matched pairs of white, gray, and black Australian opals.
The whimsical pendant boasts a truly spectacular Ethiopian crystal opal, bursting with brilliant rolling flashes of color.
One of the pleasures in making these custom pieces is the interaction with our customers. This client had really good ideas, having seen lots of unusual jewelry at the various shows and exhibitions she frequented. She gave us general directions for the pieces, then let us develop the ideas and execute the construction.
It was especially interesting to see how her taste in gems developed as she collected. Her first purchases were the Australian stones, which we thought were the least exciting of the collection, while her last purchase, the pendant stone is just stunning. Besides buying a quality piece, she got it for a really good price at the Tucson Gem Show. In fact, look for our blog about this wonderful gem, the sources of Ethiopian opal, and buying gems away from home.
So, if you have a collection of gems and just haven’t been able to decide what to do with them, see the team of experts at Mardon. You’ll be surprised how affordable and how much fun having custom jewelry can be.
