Opal and Other Gemstones Micro -Sculptures
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Picture
First Place at the International Opal Jewellery Design Award 2011  Figurative Section for Professional Carver
Signed by the artist

Description: 
Surrealistic representation of a crowing rooster

Materials technical specifications:   
Natural Opal            Type - 1 (Solid) 
Origin:                     Lightning Ridge, Australia
Body tone                light opal N.8            
Colours:                   pastel colors            Predominant :          green and pink
Weight:                  Ct. 62.15 
Size:                      53.7 mm x 28.5 mm     

                              thick.up to 10 mm
Other materials:
Eye:                       Natural black opal 
Green/blue
Rooster’s Tongue:    9 Kt gold
Total Weight:           Ct. 62.40

A new video with green eye coming soon !


Price:  A$ 5,200                       Code/Name of piece: Chicken Itza

Technical Specifications : 
Natural Opal-Type - 1 (Solid) 
Origin:               Lightning Ridge Australia 
Body tone:         Dark opal N 6 Opaque material
Body Tone and Play of Color; slightly vary according to light source.
Weight:             Ct.75.50 
Size:                 67.4 mm x 28.5 mm – Thick. up to 6.9 mm
Colours:             green 
Brightness:        moderate
Directionality:     directional
Pattern:             diffused grassy pattern
Polish:               excellent up to 10 x
Inclusions:         some surface reaching grey                             potch
Picture
Description:
 Following the color bar under the grey potch, a flow water-like shape emerged, as green as the reflections of the South American rain forest in the rivers.
Signed by the artist

Picture
Price:  A $ 1,400            
Code/Name of piece: 
C32 Orinoco flow


Picture
Description: 
This unusually shaped opal displays 2 velvety tones of blues.
Different light's angles  reveals soft greens on edges and some reds

Technical  specifications
Natural Opal       Type - 1 (Solid)   
Origin:                Lightning Ridge, Australia
Body tone:          Black Opal No.3 Semi translucent material.
Body tone/play of colors vary slightly according to light source
Weight:             Ct.8.40      
Size:                  23 mm x 14 mm   Thickness: up to 6 mm
Brightness          Moderate with electric light. Good with natural light.
Polish:               Excellent up to 10 x


Price:  A$ 710       Code/Name of piece:  C3                                         
           

SOLD




Description:        

Abstract double sided carving.It display significant differences under different light sources but always eye catching  
 The photograph doesn't display the real crispiness of its play of colors

Technical Specifications :  
Natural Opal-Type - 1 (Solid) 
Origin:     South Australia-Lambina’s field
Body tone:    Light opal N 7 Semi-translucent                       material
Body Tone and Play of Colour; slightly vary according to light source.
Weight:         Ct.20.95
Size:             28 mm x 38 mm Thick. 8 mm  
Colours:         pastel colors green red-some                          rolling flashes
Brightness:    good under electric and natural                        light 
Directionality: directional but always with good                      display
Pattern:         mixture of small and broad                              flakes .Rolling flashes on                                second side
Polish:           excellent up to 10 x
Inclusions:      little sand in cavities


 Video: expand full view
More photos available on request


Price:  A $  1600
Code/Name of piece: C12 Greek gamma 

Picture
Picture
DESCRIPTION: Would be great to set it enabling display of both sides at once.
Technical Specifications :  
Natural Opal-Type 1 (Solid) Origin: Lightning Ridge Australia
Body tone:           Light opal N 7/8. semi translucent material
Body Tone and Play of Color; slightly vary according to light source.
Weight:               Ct.15.25
Size:                   28 mm x 18 mm Thick.up to   9.2 mm
Colours:              orange/green        
Brightness:         good and slightly electric 
Directionality:      directional but always displaying good colors
Pattern:              broad patches
Polish:                excellent up to 10 x
Inclusions:          little sand under the arch

Price:     A $  2600  
Code/Name: C 21 Pirullino
SOLD


Technical Specifications 
Natural Opal-Type - 1 (Solid) 
Origin:            Mintabie Australia 
Body tone:      Dark/light opal N 6/7 translucent                       material
Body Tone and Play of Colour; slightly vary according to light source.
Weight:           Ct.126
Size:               46.2 mm x 45.6 mm -                                      Thick. up to 10.4 mm
Colours:           green
Brightness:      moderate  
Directionality:   slightly directional
Pattern:           pin fire in the center and diffuse                         green
Polish:            excellent up to 10 x
Inclusions:       none
Picture
Picture
Description:
 Intriguing and intense figurative carving
Due to its translucent structure it changes dramatically under different light conditions and backgrounds
Signed by the artist 


Code/Name of piece:   C 30 Green Man
                SOLD


Picture
Material Technical Specifications  
Natural Opal-Type - 1 (Solid) 
Origin: Lightning Ridge Australia 
Body tone:       Light opal N 7 Translucent material 
   
Weight:           Ct.35.20 
Size:               35.80 mm x 21 mm 
                       thickness up to 7 mm
  
Colours:           
soft greens and little reds Brightness:       moderate         Directionality:   directional towards blues tinges
Pattern:            broad patches of colors
Polish:             excellent up to 10 x
Inclusions:       diffuse but not intrusive grey web
 
Description: 
Soft and delicate carving both in shape and type of opal



Price:  A $ 1,100      
Code/Name of piece: C 23 The veil


Picture
The above photo shows the cavity ready for the stone setting
Picture
Suggestion 2: with a triangular cut Citrine. I believe a Peridot would look good as well
 
Price:  Special A $ 2,200
 Code/Name of piece: C 54 Neo-liberty stone ax
Picture
Suggestion 1: with a Madeira quartz
Material Technical Specifications :        
Natural Opal-Type - 1 (Solid)
Origin:            Mintabie 
Body tone:      Dark/light opal N 6-7 Semi translucent material 
Body Tone and Play of Colour; slightly vary according to light source.
Weight:          Ct.153 
Size:              74.4 mm x 35.6 mm - Thickness up to 9 mm
Colours:          primary Green    Secondary-golden yellow
Brightness:      moderate / good Directionality: directional
Pattern:           rolling flashes over pin fire
Polish:            excellent up to 10 x
Inclusions:       some threads like inclusions  




Picture
Description: 
A whale ? a dolphin ?
In any case a carving ready to be complemented by an original setting
Signed by the artist

Material Technical Specifications   Natural Opal-Type - 1 (Solid) 
Origin:              Lightning Ridge Australia 
Body tone:       black opal N 2 opaque                                     material 
Body Tone and Play of Colour; slightly vary according to light source.
Weight:           Ct.31 
Size:               35.5 mm x 23.4 mm -
                       Thick.up to 8.3 mm  
Colours:           blue green and black potch Brightness:      moderate Directionality to                                green colors 
Pattern:            broad
Polish:             excellent up to 10 x
Inclusions:        delicate grey web on some                               areas                           

​Code/Name of piece:
​ 
C 33 Blue Whale
Price :$1900
​price includes postages and insurance
Picture


 

Picture

Picture


Description:
This seam opal has been carved to resemble coral branches thus taking advantage of its colors and inclusions
 Signed by the artist

Material Technical Specifications Materials: 
Natural Opal-Type - 1 (Solid) 
Origin:             Lightning Ridge Australia

                       Grawin opal field
 Body tone:      Dark and light opal Opaque                               material
Body Tone and Play of Colour; slightly vary according to light source.
Weight:             Ct.27.60 
Size:                 46 mm x 31.8 mm
                         thick. up to 7.2 mm
Colours:             pastel pink/red and some                                greens 
Brightness:        moderate 
Directionality:     non directional
Pattern:             mottled pink
Polish:              excellent up to 10 x
Inclusions:         brown spots on face and little                          grey





Price:  
A $ 950     
Code/Name of piece: C 39 Corals 

Description: 
Undulated surface with 3 cavities. Some delicate red flashes appear when the stone is turned. Concave, polished back.


Technical Specifications :
Natural Opal    Type 1 (solid)
Origin:             Lightning Ridge, Australia
Body tone:      Dark opal N. 5/6, opaque                                 material

Body tone and play of color vary slightly according to light source.
Weight   :     Ct 27.60
Size:            32.2 mm x 21.2 mm,
Thickness:    8 to 11.6 mm
Colours:        uniform light olive green.                                 some yellow pin fire
Brightness:    moderate
Directionality: non directional
Pattern:         diffused
Polish:           excellent up to 10 x
Imperfections: little grey potch on face




Price:  A$ 1543            
Code/Name of piece: C18 Green saddle

Picture
Side A
Description:
Most unusual shape resembling swaying sea weeds I envision a setting with more wavy  leafs to complement and protect the opal’s ones

A challenge for a jeweler who master the wax technique 


Technical Specifications         
Natural Opal-Type - 1 (Solid) 
Origin:           Lightning Ridge Australia 
Body tone:     Black/Dark opal Crystal material
                     N 4/5
Body Tone and Play of Colour; slightly vary according to light source.
Weight:            Ct. 12.60
Size:                29.3 mm x 19.3 mm -                                     thick. up to 8 mm
Colours:            green

Brightness:       moderate 
Directionality:    slightly
Pattern:            diffused green and pin fire

Polish:              excellent up to 10 x
Inclusions:        small spot of dark sand




Price:     A $  1,100 

Code/Name of piece: 
C 51 Green algae

Picture
Side B
Picture
Side A upside down

Picture
Picture




 

Technical Specifications       Natural Opal-Type - 1 (Solid) 
Origin:             Lightning Ridge Australia 
Body tone:       Black/Dark opal N 4/5                                    translucent material 
 Body Tone and Play of Colour; slightly vary according to light source.
Weight:           Ct.6.30 
Size:               26.7 mm x 13.6 mm -                                      thick. up to 4.7 mm
Brightness:      moderate
Pattern:           green flakes with some                                    red pin fire
Polish:             excellent up to 10 x
Imperfections:   few minor sand spots
Price:  A $ 750 
Code/Name of piece: 
                                   C 52 Small green alga
Picture
Description:
From the same opal rough material as the above carving come this double sided carving. A design open to personal interpretation :)
To me, one side resemble an ant while the other a swaying green alga 

Description: 
This delightful “Sea Palm” is the 4th and last carving from one  piece of opal rough material mined at “Hawk nest” field.The others being C 51 -C 52 and C 40 sold 
Signed by the artist


Technical Specifications
Natural Opal-Type - 1 (Solid) 
Origin: Lightning Ridge Australia
Body tone:       Dark opal  N.5 Semi translucent material 
Body Tone and Play of Colour; slightly vary according to light source
Weight:           Ct.15
Size:               26.5 mm x 28 mm
                       thick. up to 5.4 mm
Colours:               green
Brightness:          moderate to good according to light source
Directionality:   slightly directional
Pattern:            pin fire
Polish:             excellent up to 10 x
Imperfections:   little internal sand spots 




Price:  A $ 2,700 ( $ 180 per carat )           
Code/Name of piece: C 38 Sea palm

Description: 
Undulated surface showing  multicolored  pin fire. 
3 steps display some rolling  green / orange play of colors surfacing from below
Rear side polished as well. 

Technical Specifications :
Natural Opal-Type - 1 (Solid) 
Origin:              Mintabie Australia
Body tone:       Light opal N 7 Semi translucent material 
Body Tone and Play of Colour; slightly vary according to light source.
Weight:           Ct.18.30 
Size:                29.2 mm x 20 mm - 
                       thick. up to 5.5 mm
Colours:           green with orange and pinks
Brightness:      good to moderate- some silky sheen 
Directionality:   directional 
Pattern:            pin fire and stripes
Polish:             excellent up to 10 x
Imperfections:   none 



Price:  A $ 1,100 ( $ 60 per carat )
  Code/Name of piece: C 42 Mintabie flames

Description:
Definitely  an intricate one so much that it reminds me of an underwater eroded rock


Technical Specifications:
Natural Opal-Type - 1 (Solid) 
Origin:              Lightning  Ridge Australia 
Body tone:        Dark opal N 5 Semi-translucent material         
Body Tone and Play of Colour; slightly vary according to light source.
Weight:            Ct. 19 
Size:                23.7 mm x 23 mm -Thick. up to 5.2 mm
Colours:            green -reds 
Brightness:        moderate Directionality: non directional
Pattern:             green is diffused; red is in small flakes
Polish:              excellent
Imperfections:    some sand spots on face         
 
Price:                              A $ 980 ( $ 51.60 per carat)                 
Code/Name of piece:  C 59 The rock







Special Price: A $1,650 

                          was  A $ 1,800  
Code/Name of piece: C 66 Capriccio
 Technical Specifications
Natural Opal-Type - 1 (Solid) 
Origin:             Lightning Ridge Australia
                  Brown cradle     
Body tone:   Black opal N 4 Translucent

                   material with a brown body colour
Weight:       Ct.22.10
Size:   23.2mm x 22.5mm 
thick. up to 11.5mm
Colours:      delicate green sun flashes
                  Flower insert
Body tone:  light opal N 7.Translucent material
Weight:      Ct.2.50
Size:          20.5 mm x 19 mm  

                  thick. up to 8mm
Colours:      green speckles 
Body Tone and Play of Colour; slightly vary according to light source.
Polish:             excellent up to 10 x




Description:
 -Composite opal carving made of 2 parts. Each component has got a passing through hole to aid permanent assembly of  jewelry design. 
-It can be made into one 
or 2 separate pieces of jewelry can be made
 -The brown cradle of foliage enhances the crystal opal’s flower.
Signed by the artist

Description:         

Elongated  shape with an undulated surface. Carved on 2 levels 
Nice when view as pendent and even better as bracelet   

 


Technical Specifications :  
Natural Opal -Type 1 (Solid) 
Origin:            Lightning Ridge Australia
Body tone:      Dark/Light opal N 6/7
Body Tone and Play of Colour; slightly vary according to light source.
Weight:          Ct.21.40
Size:              48.5mm x  11.2 mm 
                      Thickness up to  7.8 mm

Colours:          according to angle of view: from pastel greens to gold pinks  and little blues             
Brightness:      moderate   
Directionality:   directional
Pattern:            tightly packed stripes
Polish:              excellent up to 10 x
Inclusions:        none


Price:                    A $ 580 ( $ 27 per carat) Code/Name of piece:
                                 C 14  Aladdin’s slipper 



Description :
Unquestionably a free form :)  ready to be wrap up by a creative design 
Undulated surface 
Sunlight brings up some blues  while electric light emphasize its grassy green colour
Technical Specifications          
Natural Opal-Type 1 (Solid) 
Origin: Lightning Ridge Australia
Body tone:           dark opal N.5
Body Tone and Play of Colour; slightly vary according to light source.


Weight:              Ct.13.60
Size:                   26.7mm x  22.2mm                                        Thick.up to   5mm
Colours:               Predominant: greens                                      blending into blues   
Brightness:          moderate
Directionality:       moderate directionality
Pattern:               grassy
Polish:                excellent up to 10 x
Imperfections:      some light brown spots on                                left side (see photo)
Price:   A $ 600  ( $ 44 per carat )
Code/Name of piece:  C11

Description:

Colour everywhere !! and on both sides, so much so that I call it “Step in colour”
Second side shows nice greens and blues in low light condition then just a bit more light and a different angle gives a bright  red orange flash

It doesn't like halogen light 

Material Technical Specifications: 

Natural Opal-Type - 1 (Solid) 

Origin: Lightning Ridge Australia
Body tone:      Dark opal N 5 Opaque material
Body Tone and Play of Colour; slightly vary according to light source.

Weight:          Ct.5.10
Size:              15.5mm x  15mm
                      Thickness up to 4.5mm
Colours:          green reds and  blue

Brightness:     good slightly electrical
Directionality:  main side moderately 
                      directional
Pattern:          broad stripes and some pin fire
Polish:            Excellent up to 10x
Imperfections: minute black specks just 
                      under the surface 

At its best under electric cool light 




Price:  A $  590    
Code/Name of piece: C 63 A step into colour
                      SOLD




Price: A $ 950
Code/name of piece : Sole  C 41

 Technical Specifications : 
Natural Opal-Type - 1 (Solid) 
Origin:              Lightning Ridge Australia 
Body tone:       Black opal N ¾ Opaque                                  material 
Body Tone and Play of Colour; slightly vary according to light source.
Weight:           Ct.11.30
Size:               23.8mm x 20.7mm - 
                       Thickness up to 4.3mm
Colours:           Primary-crispy greens 

                       Secondary: rusty orange   
Brightness:       moderate to good 
Directionality:   directional but always                                      attractive 
Pattern:           mainly pin fire
Polish:             excellent up to 10x
Imperfections:  little black potch on face as                             per photo
Picture

Description:
Just very pretty!!

Picture
Picture
Description:
As close as possible to a whale tale's shape without carving away more precious opal. Charming on one side and delightful on the other 


Material Technical Specifications
Natural Opal-Type  1
Origin:         Lightning Ridge
Body tone:  Black opal N 3
Weight:      Ct.5.10
Size:          20.9mm x 11.6mm                     Thick.  3.5mm
Colours:     

Main side: green blue and some                  reds
Second side: blue green
Body Tone and Play of Colour; slightly vary according to light source
Price:  A $ 750  SOLD               
Code/Name of piece: C 61 


Picture
Picture
Suitable for Opal and/or opal collectors
This time Orietta has chosen a carving’s style reminiscent of the ancient figurines (bronze idols) in the Indic culture
Reason being that it perfectly suits the coarse grain of Honduras opal and it creates an ancient look
In Hinduism, elephants symbolize physical and mental strength, fertility, royalty, majesty, prosperity, intelligence, keenness and wisdom.
​Size    Hight 38.2 mm Width 38.9 mm Thick. 11.7 mm    Ct 88.75
Carved by Orietta L’Abbate
Price $170 
Code/name Elefantino C 79
Picture

Picture
-Dark crystal opal from Lightning Ridge cut into an undulated free form.
-Translucent material polished on both sides.
It displays swirls of black potch (* common opal) with adjacent dark crystal opal.
-Blue green play of colors.

 Size Ct.6.50
Length 30.6mm - Width 15mm - Thickness variable from 3.1 mm to 1.4 mm

More photographs available on request. 

*”Potch opal  ” is a field term used to indicate common opal. That is opal without any play of color 
Picture
Picture
Code / name of piece : Clef C 80         
Price $ 420