The Coastline 230

Piece # 230 "The Coastline"
A Zoria's Creation. Krista DeSelms © 2011

This is a gorgeous piece of Owyhee Blue Opal wrapped in 21 gauge, square, Argentium Sterling Silver.

I got this gorgeous piece of Owyhee Blue Opal from a wraps for cabs trade a while back and have been saving it for just such an occasion like this, I sent this off for the third beginning of RTH roaming wire that I host! I'm so excited to see how the recipient likes it

Opals are a mineral that is similar to quartz but unlike quartz Opals can be anywhere from 3-21% water. Because of their water content Opals need special care, if you take them somewhere very dry they can crack because of the loss of water to its’ surroundings. Also because of the water content Opals have a terrible time going from one extreme temperature to the next, it’s not that they cannot be hot or cold, but a rapid change in temperature can also crack or craze the Opal. That is why it is best to wear Opals inside of clothing when going from one temperature to the next.

Opals are each so unique, but are all made when water seeps through the earth, collecting silicates as it goes, then is collected in cavities or crevices. The silicates take the form of tiny spheres and depending on the size of these spheres we get different colors and shine in almost any color. Another thing that causes Opals to differ is how the spheres fall into place, if they are organized and all line up correctly it will produce gem quality Opal, with refraction of light in all the pretty colors people enjoy. If the spheres are aligned haphazardly then it will produce common Opal, which does not refract light, but can still be quite beautiful. The word Opal comes from the Greek word “Opallus” which means to see a chance in color

Owyhee Blue Opal is a common type of Opal with a milky blue coloring to it. This particular type of Opal is mined in the Owyhee canyon of Oregon.

Argentium Sterling Silver is the highest quality of Sterling Silver available today and is highly tarnish resistant. Sterling Silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Argentium is actually 93% silver with the remaining 7% a mixture of Copper and the element Germanium which gives it a higher tarnish resistance and less people are allergic to it than normal Sterling Silver.

Yes, I do custom work.

Krista

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