Antique Opal Jewelry history since 1877
#7319 
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In Part I of Antique Opal Jewelry, we learned that opals were admired and used for millenia. The popularity and large appetite for opal jewels exploded after 1877, when black opals were discovered in Australia. Here, we will follow a time-line of antique opal jewelry, showing examples from different periods in history post 1877.
Queen Victoria, clearly poo-pooing prevailing superstitions, was a great fan of opal jewelry and wore lots of it herself. Opal jewelry of the late Victorian era is very often accompanied by small rose-cut diamonds, such as in this pendant.
# 4620 
This French brooch by the famous French jeweller, Jules Wiese used glowing opals to impart a supernatural, living aura to this wonderful creature.
#5808
At roughly the same time as the late Victorian period, the French Art Nouveau movement produced some of the most fabulous antique opal jewelry ever made. Rene Lalique was a great fan of this stone. Here is a marvellous Art Nouveau brooch #5147 (sold) 
and #7181 Art Nouveau ring. 
Simultaneously, the Arts and Crafts movement was incorporating gems of lesser value into beautifully made pieces. Craftsment and women of this popular movement used opals in their full range. From the simplest boulder to the flashiest fiery gems. Here, the artistic value superceded the intrinsic value of the stone.
#5396 jelly ring with leaves.
#5973 jelly opal ring. 
Roll forward to the Art Deco era, and we find marvellous antique opal jewelry produced, such as this amazing elephant ring, which could be worn by a man or a woman and might very well have a circus connection.
#5291 
#7102 Classic Art Deco geometric forms with light and interest formed by every movement of the opal. 
The great jewelry designers of the 20th century are still including opals in their designs. Here is a ring made by Raymond Yard in the 1940's
#4632.
Fine opal jewelry continues to be made. Some more successful than others. In this miniature work of art a not-so-gorgeous opal is set in a fascinating mount, intended for the truly artsy crowd.
sculptural ring 3872 
Opals continue to be made into some of the most stunning and desireable jewelry. The quality of workmanship in many of the pieces is a reflection of the high regard and esteem of the artist-craftsmen and eager customers who bought them.
#5977 
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