The Phoenix - Pre Georgian Sterling Silver 145 Million - 66 Million Year Old Australian Boulder Opal Pendant & Chain (PGP211)

The Phoenix - Pre Georgian Sterling Silver 145 Million - 66 Million Year old Australian Boulder Opal Unisex Pendant & Chain, which is hallmarked 925 for sterling. Feating a natural Australian boulder opal, ancient revival styling, and quality craftsmanship. This stunning pendant showcases a hand-wired sterling silver gallery (a characteristic and technique used in ancient and ancient revival jewelry) which is set with a beautiful boulder opal, displaying a magnificent naturally formed phoenix. The phoenix displays a rare purple color, and shades of brown, gold, and white. The background of the opal is marbled with a brown and caramel color, as is the back of the gemstone. The pendant features lovely detailing and a wired substantial bale. The pendant has been matched up to a substantial vintage sterling silver chain, featuring a secure lobster claw clasp. This Pre Georgian treasure has been cut in recent times, and wired beautifully my an expert jewelry maker. The ancient boulder opal is definitely a conversation piece to be cherished and enjoyed for many years to come. Absolutely spectacular!!! 

History: In Australia, precious opal is found in Cretaceous age (145 to 66 million years ago) sandstones and mudstones that have been weathered. This weathering released silica into groundwater, where it flowed through cracks in the rocks and slowly hardened into sub-microscopic spheres.

Is boulder opal rare? It was discovered in the 1870s in Western Queensland. Today, it is considered the second rarest opal in the world after Black Opal.

The story of silver mining began about 5,000 years ago. Silver was first mined around 3,000 BCE in Anatolia, now located in modern-day Turkey. The precious metal helped early civilizations in the Near East, Ancient Greece to flourish.

The term "sterling silver" probably originated in eastern Germany when five towns formed the Hanseatic League in the 1100s. These town minted their own coins of 92.5 percent silver. When Britain sold cattle and grain to the League, they were paid in "Easterling coins".

Wire jewellery has been around for millennia. Historians agree that it's been a feature of human civilisation since the Mesopotamian Ur Dynasty around 4,300 years ago and certainly since the Ancient Egyptian times, where there was evidence of wire wrapped pieces found in tombs of the Ancient Pharaohs. See example of ancient wired jewelry in photos. 

Phoenix, as it turns out, exists only in myths. It has been around for thousands of years now, since the time of the ancient Egyptians. However, it was introduced to the world by the Greeks, although it did become immortal only in the hands of the Romans.

Measurements: Pendant 47.50 mm x 49.00 mm       Chain 21 " 

Stone Size: Boulder Opal 64.60 carats (Approximately) Note: The boulder opal was not weighed outside of the setting so carat weight is approximate. The carat weight was determined by the measurements of the gemstone. 

Weight: 43.00 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: Boulder Opal : Australia     Pendant Setting and Chain : Canada    

Date: Boulder Opal 145 Million years old - 66 Million years old .   Pendant Setting: 21st Century   Chain: Circa 1980