Antique Vintage Native Navajo 925 Silver Australian Fire Opal Ring Sz 6.5 7.1g

  
We have similar Fire Opal and Native American items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. Listing description by: Cameron J. Markings : Unmarked, tested, and guaranteed. Main stone : Australian Fire Opal. Color: opaque white hue with iridescent green and blue. Stone treatment : The stone(s) appear to be untreated, but we are not certified gemologists. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester. Stone cuts : Carved and polished cabochon. Handmade in the 1960s by a talented Navajo silversmith.

Features a beautiful Australian fire opal stone resting in a saw tooth bezel setting. A twisted rope motif encircles the stone. Complete with a smooth, polished band. Tarnish on the sterling silver gives the piece an antique quality we believe is rather lovely; tarnish can be removed with a buffing, if desired.

The price has been reduced to reflect this. This listing is for the item only. This beautiful piece was made by a very talented Native American silversmith.

It features handcrafted silversmith work throughout. Antique Native American jewelry is very rare to find.

This is due to these pieces being made for reservation and personal use before the tourist trade became popular. Very few pieces were made and even less survived to today. The Navajo Nation sits on 27,000 square miles within the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.

The Navajo have a rich history and culture and have become known for creating some of the finest sterling silver and turquoise jewelry, incorporating their own traditional motifs with silversmithing. The squash blossom necklace is perhaps one the most famous Navajo styles produced, along with turquoise inlay rings. Turquoise is an important stone in Navajo culture; symbolizing happiness, good fortune, and good health. The first Navajo silversmith, Atsidi Sani, was taught around 1865 by a Mexican silversmith. Atsidi Sani, in turn, taught his four sons, who then started teaching other Navajo artisans.

In the beginning, Navajo artisans created sterling silver jewelry for themselves and others in the Navajo Nation. Discovered in the second half of the 19th century in Australia, fire opals rose to popularity amongst the aristocracy of the Victorian era, both within Australia and beyond. Queen Victoria herself was well-known for her appreciation of the stone, owning an entire collection of jewelry featuring the stunning stone. Mined in Australia and exported to the rest of the world, this new variety of opal was available to only the wealthiest of aristocrats.

As the name suggests, these opals are known for their intense flashes of fire, which usually appears a vibrant red, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and purples, among other hues. They are typically cut into cabochons that show off their fire and are perfectly suited to a variety of different jewelry pieces.

This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Ethnic, Regional & Tribal\Rings". The seller is "abeautifultimeco" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.

1. Ethnic & Regional Style: Native American
2. Main Stone Creation: Natural
3. Sizable: Yes
4. Metal: Sterling Silver
5. Modified Item: No
6. Main Stone: Fire Opal
7. Brand: Unbranded
8. Ring Size: 6.5
9. Type: Ring
10. Metal Purity: 925
11. Era: Vintage Native Navajo C.

    1960s

12. Main Stone Shape: Cabochon
13. Tribal Affiliation: Navajo
14. Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
15. Country of Origin: USA - Navajo Nation