These earrings are made of faceted Ethiopian opals set in sterling silver. Please read "Wear and Care of Opals" below.
Contact me for custom earrings in a different metal color or accent stones.
Many similar pairs of opal earrings are also available in order my shop.
1. 7 x 5 mm 0.95 ct opals, Colombian emerald: 3.6 mm 0.37 ct, 5/8" total drop length
2. 7 x 5 mm 0.92 ct opals, Dry Cottonwood Creek Montana sapphire: 2.8 mm 0.22ct, 1/2" total drop length
3. 7 x 5 mm 0.88 ct opals, Peridot: 3 mm 0.25 ct, 1/2" total drop length
Shipping insurance is included according to the value of the item.
Opals are known for shimmers and sparkles of color, and Ethiopian opals are the most incredible examples. They are very new to the gem world, discovered in 2008 in the northeastern part of Ethiopia, and are mostly translucent with brilliant play-of-color unlike any other opal. There's always large, bright flashes of every color in the rainbow from every angle, not just tiny sparkles.
Opal is the birthstone of October. It is also the national gemstone of Australia. I have a good inventory of opals; if you're interested in another size, shape, or type of opal jewelry, contact me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opal
***WEAR AND CARE OF OPALS: Ethiopian opals are very fragile and porous, and very susceptible to scratches. They will absorb oils from your skin and chemicals such as perfume and lotions that will cause the opal to cloud and discolor over time. Keep these tips in mind: put it on the outside of clothing if possible (if not, make sure the setting comes between your skin and the stone), try not to let the stone itself touch the skin, and make it the last thing on and first thing off when dressing. Opals are best kept out of extended sunlight and vast temperature changes. Mild soap and water are safe to wash opals in, and a soft polishing cloth is helpful. Protect your opals and they will last a lifetime!
Emerald is the most well-known member of the beryl family, and undoubtedly the most valuable. It is one of the four precious gemstones, along with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. It has been used for decoration in jewelry and housewares for millennia. The oldest known finds were by the Red Sea in Egypt, in what was later called "Cleopatra's Mines," potentially 5,000 years ago. Emeralds were mentioned in numerous holy books, including the Bible and the Vedas (Hindu scripture), as well as being the holy color of Islam and Venus. While most emeralds have inclusions, included stones are definitely acceptable as a fine emerald, since the most influential factor in the value of an emerald is color. Emerald green is a color of life, beauty, harmony, love of nature, and constant love.
Colombia is the center of emerald mining around the world, followed by Zambia. Colombian emeralds are the most treasured emeralds (though emeralds are found worldwide), and to the Aztecs and Incas of South America, emeralds were a holy stone.
Emerald is the birthstone of May, and the anniversary stone of the 20th and 35th year of marriage. It is also attributed with the zodiacal signs of Taurus, Gemini, and Cancer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald
Sapphire is a gem-quality type of corundum, and is the third-hardest mineral in the world at a 9 on the Mohs scale, following moissanite at 9.25 and diamond at 10. This durability is what makes sapphire so great to use in jewelry. It is found in all colors, including red, which is called ruby, though blue is the most well-known color. Sapphires are commonly heat-treated for color enhancement. It is one of the four precious gems, with ruby, diamond and emerald. Some sapphires even have color-change.
Sapphire is the birthstone of September, and is a gemstone for representing the zodiac sign Taurus. It has always symbolized truth, sincerity, and loyalty. No wonder it's a gemstone for the 45th and 65th wedding anniversaries! Sapphire is also one of the state gemstones of Montana.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapphire
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yogo_sapphire#Montana_sapphires
Peridot is gem-quality olivine and is one of a few gemstones to come in only one color: green. It can range from a lime or spring green to a dark olive or brownish green. It's one of the oldest known gems, with records of it dating back to 1500 BC, as well as being mentioned in the Bible. The Romans nicknamed it "emerald of the evening" for its radiant glow in low light. Peridot is made deep in the mantle of the earth, forming in magma and brought to the surface by volcanic and tectonic activity. For that reason, it was the symbol for the tears of Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and fire in Hawaii. But its origin doesn't lie solely with the earth: peridot has been found in meteors, on the moon and Mars.
Peridot is the birthstone of August. It is also associated with the planet Saturn.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peridot
Product code: Ethiopian Opal Earrings with Accent Stones - Choice of 3 order