Art Deco Opal and Rock Crystal Necklace

• The necklace is 41cm (16″ ) long
• 60 opals between 4mm – 8.8mm
• Clasp 10.5mm across
• Push clasp tests 15ct gold
• Necklace weighs 13 grams
• It dates the Art Deco period (circa 1920)
• The necklace is in excellent condition
• This Art Deco opal necklace comes in the presentation box illustrated
• Our ref : 23181

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Opal

Opals were commonly used in late 19^th century jewellery when their versatility resulted in a wide assortment of designs such as bangles, set as a line of graduated cabochons with diamonds in between, cluster rings, fringe necklaces and crescent brooches. Superior examples exhibit an attractive play of red, green, and blue colours whilst inferior milky opals are almost completely white with minimal flashes. Opals were also set with rubies, emeralds and demantoid garnets in naturalistic designs such as butterflies. Mid-Victorian opals exhibiting a softer play of colour were sometimes set in scrolling gold brooches and necklaces enamelled in royal blue.

Rock crystal is the colourless variety of quartz and has been used in jewellery since the earliest times. Usually polished “en cabochon” and mounted in fine rings. Rock crystal was used extensively in 18ct lockets and painted to the reverse with naturalistic scenes with birds, animals, and plants. Rock crystal was used widely in Belle Epoque and Art Deco diamond jewellery. Rock Crystal sometimes referred to as ice crystal is transparent white quartz crystal. Ancient Greeks used the word krystallos Greek for ice. Rock Crystal was thought to harness the sun’s power and have healing properties. Consequently it was used by many civilisations such as the Ancient Greeks, Romans and Aztecs and set into spiritual and religious items. Rock Crystal became fashionable in the Victorian and Edwardian era and was facetted, carved and set into many designs of jewellery.