Volana Opal shops and Rhodolite Shield Ring

Multi-Colored, Natural Ethiopian Opals, Genuine Rhodolite, 925 Sterling Silver with Black Rhodium Plating and 14K Gold

Volana is a shield ring that definitely makes a statement. Inspired by the moon, the ring is 925 sterling silver plated with highly polished black rhodium. Black rhodium adds structure and stability to sterling silver and prevents tarnish. It's also an incredibly beautiful material with a mirror-like finish.

A crescent-shape on the face of this ring is highly polished, the remainder of the ring is designed to resemble the surface of the moon. Craters, texture worked directly into the finish, gold beading detail, four 3mm faceted rhodolites in gold bezels and three stunning natural Ethiopian opals, 4mm each, with tons of color and fire, are set by hand in textured gold bezels.

The face rests on a filigree frame to keep the large face above the finger line so that the large ring isn't disruptive to your day-to-day activities. The filigree frame also minimizes the weight of the ring. The band is very thin at 3mm, making this a comfortable ring despite the large size. The face measures 1.27 inches around. Size 7, total weight 21.7 grams.
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About Opals:

Opals are such a mysterious stone. Everything about them is difficult to define. The name comes from the Latin 'opalus' meaning 'precious stone'. It is made of hydrated silica containing up to 20% water which means that it can dry out in harsh environments. It is an amorphous stone without a defined crystal structure. The two main sources of opals in the world are Australia and Ethiopia, but opals are also found in Hungary, North, Central and South America.

The birthstone for October, Opals signify purity, hope, innocence and confidence and are believed to bring joy to the wearer. The value of an opal lies in it's "play of color" - the term used to describe how much color or fire a stone displays. The more colors of the rainbow that can be seen in a single stone, the more valuable that particular opal commands.

Because the stone is full of so many colors and light, Opals correspond to many Chakras and vibrational energies. They are thought to be excellent stones for transition and transportation on spiritual journeys, clearing mental blocks. Given that they are infused with water, they have cleansing properties too.

White Opals are the most commonly seen variety and are what people typically think of when you hear the word "opalescent". The value is dependent on the "play of color" in a stone. White opals are primarily found in Australia, but also can be found in Ethiopia and North America.

Ethiopian Opals rival Australian opals and come in a wide variety of colors and quality with incredible fire.

You may have heard myths about opals being sensitive and requiring lots of special care - because opals are softer than many stones, they are vulnerable to harsh cleaners but will hold their beauty and fire as long as they are cleaned with gentle soap and water and a soft cloth. No special care needed.
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Refunds, Returns & Exchanges: Your Caroline Lockhart Jewelry/Lockhart Jewels purchase is completely refundable at any time for any reason, provided it is returned unaltered, undamaged and in its original packaging. Your satisfaction is of the utmost importance to me.

My plating process results in laying down product substantially thicker than the industry standard. I am confident in the product I sell and if it fades or loses its luster, I will re-plate it for free at any time. Just send me a message and I'll send you a shipping label.

Shipping & Insurance: I offer free shipping to North America. Orders under $100 are sent USPS First Class Mail. I will pack and ship your item as soon as possible, usually the same or next day. Orders over $100 are sent Priority Express which includes $100 of insurance.

Ring Sizing: This ring can be re-sized. While we offer downsizing as a service for a small fee, I strongly prefer that you have the ring re-sized locally. Most professional jewelers will re-size rings for a nominal fee (typically in the range of $25-$50). shops There are several reasons I prefer that you have it done in person. First, it's better to have your ring sized by someone that has tested you for fit in person and then sizes your ring based on measurements that they took. Second, while fingers can be the same size, there are many different shapes to get to that size. Many of my rings are unbalanced with irregularly shaped bands. A professional jeweler can help decide where to remove the excess size/band to prevent the ring from rolling on your finger and keep it sitting upright and at attention. Finally, a re-sized ring is non-refundable. But if you want to see if a ring will suit you before you invest in re-sizing you can simply order it, try it out and then if you don't like it, you can simply return it! Problem solved.

Having said ALL of that, if you would still like me to resize a ring for you, I will happily do so. There is a $20 fee to resize a ring and as mentioned, a re-sized ring is non-refundable. Re-sized rings typically deliver in 2-3 weeks, however, please allow an additional 4-6 weeks for delivery.

A Note About Photos: Photos are an important part of a listing, but not the only important part of a listing. I aim to ensure that my photos accurately represent my products, but admittedly I am not a professional photographer. My listings include detailed information on the exact size and weight of each piece. Photos are often enlarged to show detail. I take photos in natural light and do not artificially enhance the color of images, however, capturing the exact color of stones in images can be tricky. To further complicate matters, differences in screens can further distort color between the actual piece and the photo. If you have questions about a specific piece before purchasing, please don't hesitate to message me. I am happy to answer any questions. I take photos with an iPhone. If you have tips and tricks, I'd love advice. It bothers me that I am a lousy photographer. :) As soon as possible, I intend to hire a professional photographer.