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Man's sterling silver band featuring 2 channel set blue sapphires accented by inlaid Australian opal and lapis. The two princess cut blue sapphires have a total weight of .30 carats and are high quality. The inlaid blue lapis harmonizes nicely with the dark blue Australian opal's blue and green fire. This man's ring measures about 6mm wide and is shown in a size 11 for scale. The ring is available in other sizes and color combinations by special order in 3 to 5 weeks. It is hand signed "MMH" by Mark Hileman on the inside of the ring. A matching woman's band is available if you would like to wear this ring as part of a wedding set.
For added durability and tarnish resistance please consider upgrading to Continuum sterling silver. It will add years of life to your sterling silver ring. Read more about the new alloy and its benefits here:
About Opal
Opal has been mined worldwide, however, Australia accounts for 96% of all commercial opal and is the main source of precious opal. Australian Opal is mined in many locations throughout New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. The main areas of production are Mintabie, Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, Andamooka and Queensland. Most opal in Australia is found in Cretaceous rock with one exception; opal from the Mintabie area is found in Paleozoic rock. Australian Opal may form in vertical or horizontal seams in the sandstone as well as in fossilized formations. Because of the unique conditions under which opal is formed, it is nearly impossible to find two opals exactly the same. Opal is the only gemstone known to man to have the natural ability to diffract light. An opal's color is created when the voids between the particles split light entering the stone. The size and alignment of the spheres and voids, as well as the light source, determines the colors produced. To view an opal's color play at its best, the light source must be coming over your shoulder. An opal's color can cover the full spectrum of the rainbow.
About Lapis
Lapis Lazuli has been highly valued for many thousands of years. The most famous locality for fine quality lapis lazuli is the same ancient deposit high in the mountains of Afganistan where it was originally mined at least 6000 years ago. The value of lapis is determined almost exclusively by color, with deep, intense, blue with violet tones being at the apex. Fine grained, uniform specimens, such as the ones used in this ring, attain a smooth highly polished surface not seen in lower grades. Calcite inclusions always lower the value, but pyrite inclusions enhance it in the minds of many collectors and jewelry lovers. The quality of polish, and the artistry of fashioning are also factors in value.
As you can see from the photos, this is very high grade lapis with no calcite and a few specks of pyrite in some of the pieces.
