Black opal Archive

Ain’t Nothing But A Rock Hound

June 2, 2020April 25, 2019 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Opal Things

Opal is one of the most popular of all gemstones. The astonishing color palette captivates all who see it. I am drawn more to black opals than white… I dig those rare gems with strong cerulean body tones and bright flashes of emerald green and hints of crimson red. As soon as I laid eyes on this bracelet, I knew I had to share it with you.

This stunner is made from thirty individual pieces of boulder opal weighing approximately fifty carats total. Each free-form stone is prong-set into this silver and 18 karat yellow gold bracelet; a subtle setting is the ideal complement to the vibrant opals, it allows their natural beauty to really shine.

Boulder opal is one of the most valuable types, second only to black opal. It is only mined in Queensland, Australia. First found in 1870, this vivid gem forms in the veins and fissures of ironstone boulders. When it is mined and cut from the boulder, a small portion of the ironstone remains on the back of the opal… hence the name – boulder opal. To maximize the weight of the stone and minimize the loss, this unique specimen is nearly always cut in irregular shapes like the ones in our bracelet.

The clasp features thirty round brilliant diamonds set in six rows with five stones each. These little sparklers have a combined weight of .20 carats. There’s no question, the stars of this show are those opals! The play of color is extraordinary. An array of deep blue hues blend harmoniously with dynamic pops of green and red. It’s like fireworks on the Fourth of July… truly awe-inspiring.

Be sure to shop our Facebook store where this piece is available for $2,480.00. While you’re there, like our page and follow us on Instagram!

You can go to Facebook and look, then come to Joden and touch.

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Dana Jerpe

Joe’s Special Box – Volume 22

June 6, 2020August 1, 2018 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

This photo features two of Joe’s favorite things… a killer opal ring from his special box as well as a tattered copy of “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. The book is an old friend – one that Joe has recommended to many people for the secret held inside. The ring is a new find containing a phenomenal black opal – also beloved for the secret it holds inside.

It has been dubbed black opal (the rarest color of this unique stone), but the rainbow shown here is anything BUT black… that term actually only relates to the body color of the stone. The darkness of the base allows the fire to really shine. Those colors, or fire, are caused by microscopic silica spheres in the internal structure. As light passes through the opal, it bounces off the silica, creating a dazzling effect. Based on the play of color shown in this stone, it is most likely Lightning Ridge Opal, named for the spot in New South Wales where these gems are mined.

This iridescent beauty is nestled into an Art Deco platinum ring from the 1920’s. A narrow pair of baguette diamonds complete the classic three stone look, however, the opal is the real star here. This is one you don’t want to miss… come to Joden and discover it for yourself.

“You can go to a museum and look, or come to Joden and touch.”

Ownership Possibilities Available

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Carrie Martin

Natural Beauty

September 9, 2023May 1, 2017 by Joden Girl

Joden Girl

Baubles, Bling, and Phenomenal Things

Gemstones are a wonder of nature – stunningly beautiful crystals and rocks dug from the Earth’s crust. Every color of the rainbow… from the deepest reds to hypnotic blues; each one is a marvel to behold. Some stones offer more than just an alluring hue – a few stones also have unique properties that further enhance their natural appeal.

The top ring in the above photo features a round black opal paired with two round brilliant diamonds all set within a classic 18 karat white gold three stone ring. Depending on the environmental conditions when the stone was formed, Opal can take on a variety of colors… everything from translucent to black. Black opals are the most rare while the white and green tones are most common. This particular black opal blazes with flashes of red, orange, blue and green.

Handmade just before the start of WWII, this ring has a timeless style that transcends current modern trends. Priced at just $5,500.00 (an absolute steal for a natural 3.00 carat black opal!), the everlasting elegance of this piece is not to be missed.

This three-stone ring was handcrafted just after the turn of the century during the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Claw-type prongs hold each of the stones: two Old European Cut Diamonds and one Chrysoberyl Catseye, aptly named for its uncanny resemblance to a cat’s eye. This phenomenon is created by special rutile crystals inside the stone that produce a dazzling effect referred to as chatoyancy. The term “milk and honey” is sometimes used to describe the milky ray of white light that crosses over the honey-colored background. This head turner is available on our website for $5500.00.

Whether you’re drawn to gemstones for their brilliant colors or the rare qualities that make each one unique, the best place to find them is the same… Joden Jewelers. The exquisite selection begins with tradition and ends with the limits of your imagination.

“Go to our site and look, then come to us and touch.”

Written by Carrie Martin

Photos by Shelly Isacco

Baubles, Bling, and Opal Things

Baubles, Bling, and A Collector’s Things

Baubles, Bling, and Phenomenal Things

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