Acquired from a New Jersey estate and believed to have been made in the United States during the 1980s, this vintage men’s opal inlay pendant represents a level of construction rarely executed today. The reverse is stamped “SUPER” alongside a star maker’s mark. While the individual artist remains unidentified, the workmanship leaves little doubt that this was produced by a highly experienced goldsmith.
Crafted in solid 18k yellow gold, the pendant weighs 13.21 grams and carries the density expected of a serious piece. It measures approximately 1.2 inches in length, 0.9 inches wide at the base, and tapers to 0.6 inches at the top. The proportions are bold yet controlled, giving the pendant presence without excess.
The defining feature is the inlay itself. Forty individually cut pieces of natural Australian crystal opal are precisely fitted into a structured geometric layout, creating the visual illusion of fewer segments due to the seamlessness of the craftsmanship. Precision inlay at this scale is technically unforgiving. Each segment must be cut to exact tolerances; even slight errors result in visible gaps or stone failure. Breakage during fabrication is common in work of this complexity. The clean execution seen here—tight seams, aligned edges, and consistent spacing—reflects significant labor and experience.
The opals display predominantly blue and green play of color, with occasional flashes of orange. Body tones range from lighter crystal to darker shades, unified by black epoxy backing that deepens contrast and intensifies the color. In lower light, the pendant reads primarily blue. In brighter light or daylight, the green fire activates across the surface, revealing the full depth of the material.
Seventeen round brilliant cut diamonds are pavé set into intersecting gold channels, totaling approximately 0.25 carats with an average clarity of VS1. The diamond work is deliberate and restrained, serving to frame and elevate the opal inlay rather than dominate it.
A hidden double slider bail on the reverse allows the pendant to sit cleanly on a chain without interrupting the front profile. It is accompanied by a 22-inch gold-plated sterling silver solid rope chain measuring 2.5 millimeters in width. While proportioned and suggested to be a men’s piece, the concealed bail design also allows it to pair well with a structured women’s omega chain.
This is not a lightweight accessory or decorative novelty. It is a substantial 18k gold pendant built around labor-intensive Australian opal inlay, preserved in excellent vintage condition. Pieces constructed with this level of precision and material quality were never common—and are increasingly difficult to find today.
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Additional Notes from the Photographer:
Though an exceptional piece, this pendant presented unique challenges in photography. Individual opal segments shift between green and blue depending on lighting conditions. In studio lighting, the camera rendered a richer blue tone, while in person the piece reads slightly greener overall.
For the most accurate representation of its dynamic color behavior, we recommend reviewing the accompanying sunlit video.
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