Majestic Wonder : Large Early 20th Century Australian Opal Teardrop Pendant in 9ct Gold

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Please let me begin by saying: my photos represent a mere fraction of the dazzling rainbows in this Australian opal pendant. The shimmering magic cannot be contained in a still image, and I think perhaps the neon colours don’t translate onto screens well, either. Every milimeter of the surface of this teardrop is alive with colours. Pink, green, blue, lavender, yellow and violet flashes, appearing and disappearing across the surface of this incredible early 20th Century Australian opal pendant.

The large teardrop shaped stone has a slightly domed surface and is set into a closed back 9ct yellow gold setting. Because of the setting it’s impossible to tell if this is a solid opal or a doublet. It is unusual for doublets to have a domed top, they are usually flat, but I have seen a few early 20th Century examples.
What is an opal doublet? It is a piece of precious opal (sometimes a large thick piece, sometimes very thin) with a black backing to enhance the colours in the stone. In the early days of opal mining the backing was a simple coating of pitch (thick paint) on the underside. Later doublets became a sandwiching of two stones: a precious opal top with an opal potch (opal with no colours) backing. Modern doublets are different again. I don’t want to risk damaging the setting by unsetting it so I’ve assumed this opal is a doublet and priced it as such. If it is a doublet it is a generous slice of opal on the top as you can see from the profile of the pendant.

This large statement gem looks fabulous on a short chain. The bail opens at the back so that it can be secured to thicker chains. I think it looks especially good on an omega chain.

Manufacture: 
Handmade in 9ct yellow gold, the opal is set into a closed back rub-over setting with gold swirl embellishments at the top and an open bail.

The opal is teardrop shaped and displays an even harlequin pattern. It has been verified as Australian opal by an independent gemologist.

The pendant measures 39.7mm (not including the bail) x 24mm x 4.55mm.
It is hallmarked 9ct to the back of the pendant.
Weighs 7 grams.

Condition: 
Excellent vintage condition, no faults to note.