Art Deco 14ct White Gold Ring set with a Fire Opal & Diamonds

An eye catching 14ct58.5% pure gold (or 585 parts pure gold to 415 parts other metals) More white goldWhite gold is an alloy of gold and at least one other white metal - most often nickel or palladium (both of which act as a bleaching agent to reduce the natural yellow colour of the gold). More ring that was most likely made in Austria circa 1920. It has been rub over and millgrain set with a lovely fire opalOpals occur in a range of body colours from white, black or grey, bright orangey red and a pale watery colour. The most precious opals show strong colour contrast and generally have a dark body colour with a vivid array of colour play. More that has an approximate weight of 2.22 caratsThe unit of weight for a diamond or other gemstone and also for a pearl. Abbreviated 'ct', 1 carat is equal to 0.2 grams. In reference to gold, a unit of purity or fineness of gold and gold alloy, expressed as a number out of 24 parts by weight, e.g. '24 carat' signifies pure gold, '18 carat' 18/24th gold in the alloy, et cetera.  Also abbreviated as 'c... More.  Above and below are clawA precious metal prong used to hold a gemstone in place. More set graduated old European cutGemstones cut in this style have a smaller table than the round brilliant and the overall depth is greater. This style of cutting was popular in the 19th Century and is the direct predecessor to the modern round Brilliant Cut. Similar to the Old Mine Cut. More diamonds with a further claw set diamondA precious, lustrous gemstone made of highly compressed carbon. Diamonds are one of the hardest materials known to mankind. Colours of diamonds range from colourless, yellow, orange and brown to almost black. Natural coloured (or ‘fancy’) diamonds can be extremely rare. The cut, colour, clarity and carat weight of a diamond are the criteria jewellers use... More in each of the shouldersThe point on a ring where the central section meets the shank or band, often carved, decorated or inlaid with small diamond accent stones. More.

Fire opals are amazing stones and are found in Mexico. The Mayans and Aztecs loved this gemstone and used it in mosaics and for ritualistic purposes. They called it “quetzalitzlipyollitli”, the “The bird of paradise stone”. The stone knowledge of Mexico’s natives, which had been handed down for generations sank into oblivion for a long time until in the early 1800s, the fiery treasures hidden in the Mexican highlands were remembered, and mining gradually started again.

It sits low on the finger so it is a practical ring to wear.