Recently Sold (VR652)

Magnificent - Vintage Birks 14K White & Yellow Gold Opal & Diamond Cluster Ring.  This wonderful ring is crafted from 14K white, and yellow gold, hallmarked 14K, and Birks.  Featuring one natural oval cut cabochon opal, 24 natural round brilliant diamonds, classic styling, and quality craftsmanship. This gorgeous ring boasts a beautiful large opal, displaying flashes of color ranging from green, violet, and orange. The precious opal is surrounded by a halo of sparkling diamonds, which enhances the opal beautifully. The surmount on this ring features a wonderful hand-made wire gallery and a closed back yellow gold setting , which cups the opal, adding additional protection to the gem. The wire gallery, the claws, and the band are crafted in white gold. The shoulders have a pretty split gold design, which leads down to a polished and smooth shank, allowing for a comfortable fit and easy sizing. This Vintage ring is a high quality statement piece, made by Birks, and quite simply... magnificent.

Note: Appraisal included with the ring. 

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.

The earliest diamonds were found in India in 4th century BC, although the youngest of these deposits were formed 900 million years ago. A majority of these early stones were transported along the network of trade routes that connected India and China, commonly known as the Silk Road.

Gold was generally used for a couple thousand years solely to create things such as jewelry and idols for worship. This was until around 1500 BC when the ancient empire of Egypt, which benefited greatly from its gold-bearing region, Nubia, made gold the first official medium of exchange for international trade.

Although the origin of white color gold dates back to 1710, where it was discovered by two alchemists in Germany, it wasn't used widely until much later. White gold as we know it today was really popularised in the 1920s. Although it might seem strange, this luxury material came to popularity in wartime.

Measurements: Face of the Ring 23.00 mm x 18.00 mm

Stone Size: Opal 4.80 carats.    Diamond 1.30 carats 

Weight: 8.35 grams 

Ring Size: 5 3/4

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: Canada     Provenance:  Birks, From a private collection. 

Date: Circa 1980