This gorgeous Victorian-Era Jelly Opal Locket is exquisitely made. It features an ornate frame made from solid 14k gold. The detailed setting includes traditional gold work, including milgrain and granulation. The back of this locket has a space for a photo. It currently holds a black onyx tablet. A single multi-colored jelly opal cabochon with broad flash of fire and very strong brilliance graces the center of this locket.
What is Opal?
Opal is considered a mineraloid. This means that it does not form with a solid crystal structure and does not have a rigid chemical composition. This range of chemical compositions allows for many different types of opals, including jelly opals. Among the many different types of opals, black opals, harlequin opals, and fire opals are among the most desirable for jewelry. However, white, semi-black, and jelly opals are extremely popular. Though they are lower in price, they still generate the beautiful play of colors that makes opals so spectacular.
Opals formed long ago when solutions of silicone dioxide and water ran over the surface of the earth. As this liquid moved across the earth, it picked up silica from sandstone. This silica-laden solution pooled in cracks and fissures carved out by decomposing fossils, volcanic activity, and erosion. The water eventually evaporated from these pools, leaving behind layers of silica. Over time, as the cycle repeated itself again and again, nobby rough opals formed in these crevices and cracks. According to Opals Down Under, today's opals are found in "wild and unruly places surrounded by a moonscape of mullock humps where people fight against horrendous climate conditions in their search for precious gemstones" {7}. This quote refers to those found in Australia. However, opals are also found around the world in crevices, cracks, stalactites, stalagmites, and in the hollowed-out spaces left by disintegrated fossils. Gemstone-quality opal (precious opal) w as originally found in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Mines in these locations continued to produce the world's supply of opal until 1922, when the mines began to run dry. Around that same time, opals were discovered in Australia. Today, approximately 97% of the world's precious opals come from Australia, where opal is the national gemstone.
What is Jelly Opal?
Jelly Opal is a transparent precious opal with a gelatinous appearance. Characteristically, these beautiful gems have a bluish sheen. However, the play of color within them will include yellows, greens, pinks, oranges, and sometimes bright reds. Jelly Opals are darker in appearance than crystal opals. Today, these beautiful stones are often found alongside black opal in the Lightning Ridge mines of Australia {4}. However, Victorian-Era Jelly Opals, such as the one pictured here, would likely have been found in the Czech mines. Jelly Opals are more transparent than other types of opal. Therefore, the play of color acts differently. The color rolls through the stone rather than appearing in shifting patches. As with all types of opals, Jelly Opals display more color when they are slightly warmed by nearness to the skin. Take a look at our terrific selection of Opal Jewelry, with black jelly crystal and all types of opal rings.
Notes
- AJS Gems. "Opal Gemstone Information." Accessed October 18, 2014. http://www.ajsgem.com/gemstone-information/opal-95.html.
- Collector's Weekly. "Opal Jewelry." Accessed October 18, 2014. http://www.collectorsweekly.com/fine-jewelry/opals.
- Eckert, Allan W. The World of Opals. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 1997.
- Gemstone Co., The. "Buying Guide: Opal." Accessed October 18, 2014. http://thegemstoneco.com/buying-guide/opal.
- Geology.com. "What is Opal?" Accessed October 18, 2014. http://geology.com/gemstones/opal/.
- Opals Down Under. "How is Opal Formed? - the Geology of Opal." Accessed October 18, 2014. http://www.opalsdownunder.com.au/learn-about-opals/advanced/how-opal-formed-geology-opal.
- Opals Down Under. "Australian Opal Mining Fields." Accessed October 18, 2014. http://www.opalsdownunder.com.au/learn-about-opals/intermediate/australian-opal-mining-fields.
