Fuji is a modestly substantial vintage opal ballerina ring built around the interplay of platinum, diamonds, and a 1.47-carat natural Australian dark opal. Crafted in Japan during the later Shōwa era, approximately the 1970s–1980s, the ring surrounds its center stone with an elaborate radiating arrangement of forty natural diamonds totaling approximately 0.70 carat. At just under two-thirds of an inch across the face, it has the unmistakable presence of a serious piece of vintage fine jewelry.
The opal is an N6 gray-based dark opal whose play-of-color is best appreciated in motion. Red is its strongest color overall, joined by orange in softer light, while blue becomes increasingly important under brighter illumination and in sunlight. In favorable light, the blue can become nearly as visually dominant as the red. Green appears more sparingly, emerging as a subtle secondary overtone that comes and goes across different parts of the stone.
Unlike an opal dominated by one broad flash, Fuji’s color appears in distinct, independently moving sections. Individual areas illuminate and disappear at different moments as the ring turns, creating a display that is much more continuous in person than a still photograph can capture. Fine linear boundaries visible within the stone separate these regimented areas of color play; they are internal color-bar features rather than fractures. The accompanying video provides the closest representation of this movement. The opal is Australian in origin and is attributed, though not documented, to Lightning Ridge.
The ballerina setting is unusually diamond-rich. Three tapered baguette-cut diamonds radiate from the north, south, east, and west positions, while groups of round brilliant-cut diamonds fill each corner, creating the characteristic pleated, fan-like appearance of the style. The forty diamonds average approximately VS2 clarity and H-I-J color, giving the setting considerable brightness without obscuring the opal at its center.
Beneath the diamond spray, the solid .900 platinum setting opens into decorative filigree along the lower gallery, adding detail to a ring that is already substantial at 7.68 grams. Inside the shank, the original “Pt900”, “147”, and “070” stamps remain visible, corresponding to the platinum purity, 1.47-carat opal weight, and 0.70-carat total diamond weight.
Sourced from one of OpalPop’s established Tokyo estate-jewelry sources, Fuji has been professionally refurbished by our Anaheim, California jewelry partner, including cleaning, platinum polishing, and tightening of the center stone. A minute natural fissure inclusion is present along the outer edge of the opal beside one prong; it appears to be an internal natural characteristic rather than later damage.
Fuji is especially well suited to someone who appreciates substantial vintage jewelry and wants a gift with both visual presence and material substance. Its diamond weight, platinum construction, and movement-driven opal make it the kind of piece that reveals more in wear than it does in a single photograph.
Approximate default ring size 6.75 US.
