Pendant: Opal in 14K Yellow Gold Setting with 18 inch Chain

Pendant: Genuine 5x7mm white opal cabochon in 14K yellow gold setting on a delicate 14K yellow gold chain, 18 inches long. A black, white satin-lined gift box is included.

The pictures do not do this stone justice. No camera can accurately capture an opal's iridescent fire.

What is an opal? It is a mineral of hydrated silica. Opals are known for their rich iridescence. It is Australia's national gemstone and one of October's birthstones.

In the Middle Ages, it was believed that opal could bring good luck. It was a commonly held superstition that the stone possessed all the benefits of all gemstones whose color was present in the opal. In Victorian times, gem dealers, with the help of an author they hired, attempted to stop the rush to buy opals by circulating a rumor of the stone's bad luck.

For further information, see this article: Opal.

Pendant: Genuine Amethyst Wrapped with Gold Wire

Genuine rough-cut amethyst hand-wrapped with gold-filled wire on an 18 inch gold-filled chain. The pendant hangs approximately 1 1/4 inches from the chain. Necklace includes black gift box lined with white satin. Close-up picture is larger than actual size.

Gold-filled wire and chains are made of a hard metal with a layer of real gold. This is not to be confused with gold-plate. Gold-filled wire has a layer of gold 50 to 100,000 times thicker than gold-plate. High quality gold-filled jewelry is sometimes considered a suitable replacement for 14k jewelry as it is similar in luster and beauty and is more affordable.

For more information, see this article: Gold-filled Jewelry.

Amethyst is a purple quartz whose name comes from ancient Greek, a methustos which means "not - to intoxicate." It was commonly believed that this stone could protect one from drunkenness. Obviously, it has no such power.

For more information, see this article: Amethyst.