Edwardian 18ct Gold Large Opal & Diamond Oval Cluster Ring

This is a really impressive 18ct gold ring that was made circa 1910-1920. It has been set with a large and extremely lively opal that displays amazing flashes of blue, red and green colours. At the turn of the 20th century opals were coming in to England from Australia. The first discovery of opals in Australia was made near Angaston by the German geologist Johannes Menge in 1849. Both the Queensland Boulder Opal and Lightning Ridge fields attracted miners in the 1880’s. The opals found were exported in large quantities world wide and became really fashionable as the “must” stone to wear. The more colour displayed within the polished opal the better it was, so this opal is a wonderful example of a top quality stone with an abundance of red within it. Around it are twenty two well matched bright white old mine cut diamonds that set off the opal beautifully. Opal has always been associated with love and passion and wearing an opal is said to bring about loyalty and faithfulness. A good ring to give to someone that you love!