Green Opal Teardrop Cabochon

Green opal teardrop cabochon, hand-cut in our lapidary workshop. Dimensions 25 × 13 × 6 mm, with a mirror-polished domed surface and a flat back for direct bezel setting or other silver mounting. Uniform olive green color with translucent nuances under direct light.

Piece Details

This Specific Piece

The olive green remains uniform on the surface but gains translucency when the piece is held up to the light, especially in the thinner areas of the teardrop's perimeter. The mirror polish enhances the tone without altering it: the piece does not have play-of-color (opalescence), but its visual value lies in the depth of the green and the uniform finish. The flat back was calibrated to sit cleanly on a bezel base without needing to modify the original silhouette.

What Mountings It Works For

• Bezel setting (925 silver or other precious metals) — the flat back allows the bezel to be built directly on the silhouette; the 6 mm height gives a classic projection for a pendant
• Pendants — the 25 × 13 mm format is classic for a main pendant; it accommodates festoons, micropave, or chains mounted at the apex
• Earrings — being a unique piece, it works as an individual earring; for a pair, it requires a companion of similar tone and dimension
• Wire wrap — fine gauge (0.6–0.8 mm) is recommended due to the moderate hardness of opal; the teardrop silhouette defines a natural wrap for the wire

Opal in Lapidary Tradition

The name "opal" derives from the Sanskrit upala ("precious stone"). In classical Rome, it was one of the most valued minerals for its changing nuances. Common opal — without play-of-color — has historically been used in decorative jewelry for the solid quality of its tone under different lighting conditions.

The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice or a substitute for professional care.

How to Recognize Genuine Common Opal

Common opal shows a vitreous to waxy luster on the surface and partial translucency when backlit, especially at the edges. Under direct light, it does not exhibit play-of-color (the multicolor flashes of precious opal), but the base tone remains deep without a flat feel. Glass imitations tend to have a uniformly saturated color, with internal bubbles visible under 10× magnification, and lack the microporosity characteristic of natural opal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this piece have play-of-color (opalescence)?

No. This is common opal, without the internal structure of silica spheres that produces the play-of-color of precious opal. Its visual value lies in the depth of the green and the mirror finish, not in multicolor flashes.

Is it suitable for an everyday ring?

Better as a pendant or earring. The 5.5–6.5 Mohs hardness makes opal more delicate than quartz: it holds up well in hanging pieces, but in an everyday ring, side impacts can chip the edge. If you want to use it in a ring, a closed bezel setting that protects the entire perimeter is recommended.

Are there other pieces identical to this one?

No. Each cabochon is individually cut from a different rock fragment. The exact tone and distribution of translucent nuances vary from piece to piece even when the silhouette is the same.

How do I care for it?

Clean with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steamers, and sudden temperature changes. In very dry environments, store in a small bag with a damp cotton ball to preserve the mineral's hydration. More in the jewelry care guide.

See also: all cabochons · handmade pendants · lapidary material.