This estate necklace displays a generous selection of opalite and iolite gemstones mounted on sterling silver wire with a silver clasp and out-fittings weighing 124.4g and measuring 16 inches long. A lively cinquefoil floral arrangement of enchanting color contrast measuring 5 inches in diameter is silver wire-strung, threading 'opalescent' opalite flat cabochon petals, the largest of which measures 25mm long and 15mm wide. The faceted iolite beads meanwhile, are graded a multi-hued 'grey-blue' color, totaling over 450 in number. An effervescent removable drop supporting four rows of multi-hued gemstones is underside attached. Five strands of iolite present the grandiose tri-floral center-piece, secured by a sterling silver rectangular pierced openwork plaque clasp embellished with heart-shaped silhouettes. This flamboyant and aesthetically colorful necklace secures with a well-constructed hook and ring closure, outfitted with a 2-inch extension chain permitting length adjustment. The 'en suite' drop earrings measuring 1.5 inches long constitute a 'demi-parure' incorporating both opalite and iolite beads.
The name iolite comes from the Greek word 'ion', meaning violet. Iolite crystals are known for revealing different colors from different angles. An iolite cube can appear to be ‘violet-blue’ almost like sapphire from one angle, ‘clear as water’ from the other, and a ‘honey-yellow’ from the top. In the past, this characteristic led some people to call iolite 'water-sapphire', a term that is apparently no longer used. Iolite is usually a purplish blue but this enchanting color can be shown at its best only when the stone is cut aligned and cut, irrespective of the shape of the raw crystal.
Mined in the state of Utah, USA, France, Germany, India, Russia and Venezuela, opalite is a type of opalized stone that forms in mineralized nodules. It is composed predominantly of dolomite which is opalized fluorite but often found with minerals such as quartz and chalcedony. Opalite is a beautiful stone in varying shades of purple, lavender and creamy white with swirls of light yellowish brown and pink areas that looks particularly polished and shiny when cut ‘en cabochon’. The purple variety of opalite with patches of mauve has been named ‘Tiffany Stone’ presumably due to the use of opalite in some Tiffany jewelry designs.
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