The Chelsea Bijouterie Ltd has dated this piece to the 1920s.
The opals display a mesmerising play of colour, predominantly green and turquoise with vivid flashes of orange and yellow – a fine example of the quality seen in antique opal jewellery.
Centre opal: approx. 3.8 x 2.8mm
Adjacent opals: approx. 3.6 x 2.6mm
Outer opals: approx. 3 x 2.3mm
Width across the setting: 6.5mm
Height from the finger: 3.5mm
Ring size: UK Q½ / US 8½ (easily resized by your trusted jeweller)
Weight: 2.8 grams
Hallmarked: Birmingham 1921, 18ct Gold
Maker’s mark: EWS & Co
Our ref:2273
This exquisite piece remains in excellent original condition and looks simply stunning when worn – a timeless addition to any antique jewellery collection.
The Allure of Opals in Antique and Vintage Jewellery
Opals have long held a special place in the world of antique and vintage jewellery, prized not only for their ethereal beauty but also for their rich history and symbolism. Revered since antiquity and treasured during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, opals are a gemstone steeped in mystery, romance, and delicate charm.
Unlike any other gem, opals captivate with their unique “play-of-colour”—a kaleidoscopic effect where hues shift and shimmer in the light. This optical phenomenon made them particularly appealing during the 19th century, a period fascinated by the natural sciences and the wonders of the earth. During Queen Victoria’s reign, opals became immensely popular. The Queen herself was fond of them and often gifted opal jewellery to her daughters, helping to dispel superstitions and revive their popularity in Britain.
Victorian jewellers frequently set opals in yellow gold, often surrounding them with seed pearls or small diamonds in ornate, romantic designs. These pieces carried symbolic meaning: opals were thought to represent hope, purity, and truth. By the time of the Art Nouveau movement, designers such as René Lalique embraced opals for their otherworldly quality, incorporating them into flowing, nature-inspired creations that celebrated artistry and imagination.
In Edwardian and early Art Deco jewellery, opals continued to feature, often in elegant platinum settings with fine milgrain detailing. These gems added a softness and subtle iridescence to otherwise precise and geometric designs, blending the modern with the mystical.
Today, antique opal jewellery is cherished for its individuality. No two opals are alike, and each piece tells its own story through the gem’s ever-changing colours and the craftsmanship of its era. Whether worn as a statement ring, pendant, or brooch, a vintage opal offers not just beauty but a tangible link to the elegance and sentimentality of bygone times.
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The Chelsea Bijouterie Ltd has dated this piece to the 1920s.
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Antique 18ct Gold Opal Ring Birmingham 1921 Hallmarked Five-stone Vintage Traditional Half Hoop Design
