Description
Space Castle ring.
Silver 925, platinum plated.
Handmade silver ring with Fire Opal from the Space Castle series.
-Opalius is a mysterious stone!
-Opalium is a material unusual in its structure.It is amorphous, its composition is basically silicon dioxide, SiO2.The peculiarity of opal lies in the fact that it contains in its mass a quantity of about 10% water.SiO2 with water form small spheres which are arranged in space forming various geometric shapes.When light passes through it, it displays rainbow iridescence which varies depending on the angle of observation.This makes it particularly fascinating.
– It was formed 60 million years ago and is one of the few gemstones formed in sedimentary rocks.
-The word opalios comes from the Sanskrit word upala meaning stone.In the Middle Ages the opalios was called ophthalmios (ophthalmio) or lapis ophthalmius. This name was given because people at that time had the incredible belief that the colours of opal came from the pupils of the eyes of small children.
-It is a silicate mineral with a white or light blue colour and fiery iridescence.It is also found in a wide range of colours such as red, yellow, orange, blue, brown, violet, black, green and brown.
-Today, top quality opals are sold more expensive than diamonds, up to $20,000 per carat.Opals with four or more colours are more expensive.
-In ancient Egypt it was a symbol of hope. In ancient Greece it was believed that the spirit of truth lived in the opal. The ancient Romans considered it the most precious gem after emerald. “The burning of Troy” is the name of the beautiful opal that Napoleon gave to Josephine.The Aztecs also used it for adornment and in religious ceremonies.
-The oldest known opal deposit in the world is located in an area of Slovakia.Australia is the world’s most important source of opal.The finest opals of fire come from Mexico and Honduras, black from Australia and white from Japan.Opals are also found in the Czech Republic, Brazil, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Nicaragua and the western United States, as well as in India, Mongolia, Indonesia and Syria.
