Lot 180
A black opal and diamond set cocktail ring,
Auction: 28 May 2008 at 12:00 BST
£780
Description
claw set with a large oval cut black opal, displaying strong violet blue play of colour to a translucent ground, flanked to either shoulder by three single cut diamonds
Dimensions
Estimated opal weight 12.46cts
Footnote
The name given to the gem species opal is derived from an Indian (Sanskrit) word for stone. It is divided into three sub-groups: common opal (showing no play of colour); yellow-red coloured fire opals and precious opal. Precious opal displays a range of iridescent colours, which change as the stone is tilted, against a pale or dark background. Black opal, includes precious opal with dark grey, dark blue (as in this lot), dark green and grey-black basic body colours and is rarer than white opal.