Doublet Opal and Diamond Pendant | 1.18ct Free Form Opal | 9ct Yellow Gold

A doublet opal and diamond pendant in 9ct yellow gold. The opal is a free form, cut to follow the best colour in the rough rather than to a set shape. This one came out as a soft teardrop. Its play of colour is mostly blue and green, shifting as it moves, with small flashes breaking through. A smooth yellow gold bezel wraps the edge, protecting the opal and framing the colour in warm metal. Above it, four round lab grown diamonds step up toward the chain in a loose, offset cluster, each in its own bezel. They give the pendant a bit of sparkle and lead the eye down to the opal. Every stone is bezel set, so nothing catches on clothing.

Opal: Free form doublet opal, 1.18ct
Diamonds: 4 round brilliant lab grown diamonds, 1.90–2.50mm, 0.19ct total, D–F colour, VS clarity
Metal: 9ct yellow gold, stamped 375 LG
Setting: Bezel set throughout
Pendant weight: 1.61g
Construction: CAD designed, cast, hand assembled, finished and set
Chain: Sold separately

About opal
Opal is made of tiny silica spheres stacked in a regular pattern, and its play of colour comes from light diffracting between them. The size of the spheres decides which colours appear. A doublet is a thin slice of natural precious opal bonded to a dark backing. The backing makes the slice stronger and deepens its colour, and it's the reason a doublet can show this much brightness at a more accessible price than a solid opal of the same look.

Hardness: 5.5–6.5 on the Mohs scale, softer than most gemstones. The bezel protects the edge, but take it off for the gym, gardening or cleaning. Don't soak a doublet or wear it swimming or in the shower, because water can work into the bonded layer over time and cloud it. Wipe it clean with a soft damp cloth.
Birthstone: October

More on this stone
Want to know more about opal? Read our Opal Birthstone Edit for a closer look at its colour, wearability and what to look for when choosing one.