Antique Opal and Diamond Ring in Silver on Gold, c. 1900

The opal experienced a surge in popularity towards the end of the 19th century: every lady who could afford it wanted to come into possession of such a dazzling stone. Newly discovered deposits in distant Australia had only recently produced wonderful precious opals. So people quickly forgot the superstition that the gemstone brought bad luck, which had only arisen two generations earlier in Walter Scott's novel Anne of Geierstein, or The Maiden of the Mist (1829), and instead enjoyed its wonderful play of colors. The gemstone set in this ring is also an opal from Australia. It is shaped in an oval cabochon cut and shows a mysterious play of pink, blue and green on a milky base color - like a blooming garden on a misty morning. The opal is surrounded by a ring of diamond roses, whose historic cut gives them an incomparable sparkle when in motion. This brilliance appears almost watery - and one understands why, in Shakespeare's time, the quality of a diamond was measured by its resemblance to clear, shimmering water: In Pericles (1607), he mentions "diamonds of a most praisèd water", diamonds of the very highest quality. The ring, which was most likely created in Britain around 1900, is very well preserved. The central opal was very probably repolished in more recent times. A beautiful piece of jewellery with wonderful gemstones.

Estimate:£2,200.02

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