Ethiopian Opal Stud Earrings with Gemstone Accents

These earrings are made of faceted Ethiopian opals set in sterling silver. Please read "Wear and Care of Opals" below.  I have a good inventory of opals.  If you're interested in another size, shape, or type of opal jewelry, contact me.  Many similar pairs of opal earrings are also available in my shop.

1. 8 x 6 mm 1.57 ct opals, Brazilian emerald: 2.8 mm 0.17 ct, Peridot: 3 mm 0.28 ct, Montana sapphire: 2.8 mm 0.23 ct, 3/4" total drop length

2. 8 x 6 mm 1.4 ct opals, Arizona Peridot: 4.4 mm 0.78 ct, 3/4" total drop length

3. 8.2 x 6.2 mm 1.33 ct opals, Pakistan morganite: 4 mm 0.53 ct, 3/4" total drop length

4. 8 x 6 mm 1.4 ct opals, Blue apatite: 4.2 mm 0.57 ct, 5/8" total drop 

Opals are known for shimmers and sparkles of color, and Ethiopian opals are the most incredible examples. They are very new to the gem world, discovered in 2008 in the northeastern part of Ethiopia, and are mostly translucent with brilliant play-of-color unlike any other opal. There's always large, bright flashes of every color in the rainbow from every angle, not just tiny sparkles.

Opal is the birthstone of October. It is also the national gemstone of Australia. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O...

***WEAR AND CARE OF OPALS: Ethiopian opals are very fragile and porous, and very susceptible to scratches. They will absorb oils from your skin and chemicals such as perfume and lotions that will cause the opal to cloud and discolor over time. Keep these tips in mind: put it on the outside of clothing if possible (if not, make sure the setting comes between your skin and the stone), try not to let the stone itself touch the skin, and make it the last thing on and first thing off when dressing. Opals are best kept out of extended sunlight and vast temperature changes. Mild soap and water are safe to wash opals in, and a soft polishing cloth is helpful. Protect your opals and they will last a lifetime!

Emerald is the most well-known member of the beryl family, and undoubtedly the most valuable. It is one of the four precious gemstones, along with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. It has been used for decoration in jewelry and housewares for millennia. The oldest known finds were by the Red Sea in Egypt, in what was later called "Cleopatra's Mines," potentially 5,000 years ago. Emeralds were mentioned in numerous holy books, including the Bible and the Vedas (Hindu scripture), as well as being the holy color of Islam and Venus. While most emeralds have inclusions, included stones are definitely acceptable as a fine emerald, since the most influential factor in the value of an emerald is color. Emerald green is a color of life, beauty, harmony, love of nature, and constant love.

Emerald is the birthstone of May, and the anniversary stone of the 20th and 35th year of marriage. It is also attributed with the zodiacal signs of Taurus, Gemini, and Cancer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E...

Peridot is gem-quality olivine and is one of a few gemstones to come in only one color: green. It can range from a lime or spring green to a dark olive or brownish green. It's one of the oldest known gems, with records of it dating back to 1500 BC, as well as being mentioned in the Bible. The Romans nicknamed it "emerald of the evening" for its radiant glow in low light. Peridot is made deep in the mantle of the earth, forming in magma and brought to the surface by volcanic and tectonic activity. For that reason, it was the symbol for the tears of Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and fire in Hawaii. But its origin doesn't lie solely with the earth: peridot has been found in meteors, on the moon and Mars.

These stones were mined by Native Americans in the San Carlos Reservation in the southeast part of Arizona.

Peridot is the birthstone of August. It is also associated with the planet Saturn.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P...

Sapphire is a gem-quality type of corundum, and is the third-hardest mineral in the world at a 9 on the Mohs scale, following moissanite at 9.25 and diamond at 10. This durability is what makes sapphire so great to use in jewelry. It is found in all colors, including red, which is called ruby, though blue is the most well-known color. Sapphires are commonly heat-treated for color enhancement. It is one of the four precious gems, with ruby, diamond and emerald. Some sapphires even have color-change.

Sapphire is the birthstone of September, and is a gemstone for representing the zodiac sign Taurus. It has always symbolized truth, sincerity, and loyalty. No wonder it's a gemstone for the 45th and 65th wedding anniversaries! Sapphire is also one of the state gemstones of Montana.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

Morganite is a pink type of beryl (emerald family), named after J.P. Morgan, an avid gem collector. The color ranges from very light pink, looking nearly colorless, to peach and rose pink. It is the second-rarest color in the beryl family, second only to bixbite. It is found in a few places around the world, including Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, Afghanistan, Pakistan, among others.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B...

Apatite has many industrial uses, and isn't often used as a gemstone, but when it is, it has a range of colors that includes pink, yellow, green, blue, purple and colorless. Green apatite is called "asparagus stone" and the blue-green type often rivals Paraiba tourmaline in color, and is called Paraiba-colored apatite. In fact, the name apatite itself comes from a Greek word meaning "cheat" since apatite can have very close resemblance to several precious gemstones, leaving people feeling "cheated."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A...