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Material: Genuine Sterling Silver (925 silver, 92.5% silver content) |
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Stone(s): Genuine Peruvian opal (14 x 11 mm), genuine blue topaz, genuine rainbow moonstone |
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Overall Dimension of Each (including hooks): 2 x 0.6 x 0.25 inches |
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Back Type: Stud |
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Weight: 14.2 grams |
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Stamp/Mark: 925 |
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Origin: Indonesia |
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Serial Number: e22628 |
Moonstone is a variety of orthoclase, a feldspar. It often has a sky blue opalescent sheen, also called schiller or fire, making the stone look as if it is glowing. The sheen is created by thin layering of orthoclase with another mineral, albite. Moonstone was used in jewelry from 100 AD in Rome and even earlier in Asia.
Opals form when silica gel hardens in the cracks of other rocks. Most of the world's precious opal comes from Australia, where opal is the national gem. A boulder opal is an opal that has been sliced together with its surrounding ironstone for a varied look. Fire opal from Mexico comes in shades of orange and Peruvian opal is an opaque blue-green stone. An opal doublet has polished precious opal on the top with an ironstone backing added for strength, making the slice of opal less prone to chipping.
Derived from "tapaz," the Sanskrit word for fire, topaz is one of the most brilliant cut gemstones in existence. Topaz comes in a variety of colors from yellow to blue, and deeper blues and pinks are often created by heat-treating stones. Brazil is the world's top exporter of topaz.
