Recently Sold (VR767)

Opalescent Duo- Vintage Gold Plated Opal & Rhinestone Ring. This pretty ring is crafted from gold plate over metal, hallmarked GOLD PLATED KARAT CLAD PROCESS. Featuring 2 genuine pear cut cabochon opals, one round cut rhinestone, and vintage styling. The gallery on this ring is expertly claw-set with 2 white opals, displaying a gentle play of color, which is also adorned by a rhinestone. The ring is modernistic in style and exhibits interesting curves and proportions to the setting. This vintage ring would make a lovely gift or addition to your vintage jewelry collection.

History: Many cultures have credited opal with supernatural origins and powers. Arabic legends say it falls from the heavens in flashes of lightning. The ancient Greeks believed opals gave their owners the gift of prophecy and guarded them from disease. Europeans have long considered the gem a symbol of hope, purity, and truth.

Centuries ago, quartz pebbles with a high lead content were found sparkling on the banks of Europe's Rhine River. These beautiful, natural stones were highly coveted and were eventually depleted, inspiring jewelers to create an imitation, aptly named the "rhinestone."

The first known gold plating occurred in northern Peru, where Pre-Columbian smiths gilded and silvered copper pieces by electrochemical replacement techniques. During excavations in the late 1980s, archaeologists discovered gold and silver ornamental and ceremonial artifacts dating all the way back to AD 50-300.

Luigi Brunatelli, an Italian chemist, is most widely credited for inventing electroplating. Brugnatelli published his findings on the use of Volta piles to deposit a layer of gold onto a metallic surface in 1805.

Karatclad is a trademark for a very thick gold electroplating process; this type of plating is about 14 times thicker than standard electroplating. 

Measurements: Face of the Ring 13.00 mm x 4.00 mm 

Stone Size : Opal .40 carats   Rhinestone 2.50 mm 

Weight: 2.60 grams 

Ring Size: 7  Note: Can not be sized 

Condition: Good.  Note: Plating is worn on some portions of the ring. 

Origin: America 

Date: Circa 1960