Boulder Opal & Sapphire Sterling Silver Celtic Pendant

Australian Boulder opals are the second most valuable type of opal (following black opal). Boulder opals, as the name suggests, are mined from large ironstone boulders under the ground. Thin veins of colourful opal forms in cracks and fissures in these boulders. The thin layer of opal in boulder opals can display any colour of the spectrum in a beautiful play of colour, rich blue, turquoise and translucent yellows are visible, all with great fire. Interesting bandings and patterning also.

Sapphire, September's birthstone,  and its close cousin Ruby, are members of the corundum mineral species; they are chemically the same mineral, just a different colour.    This gem can also naturally appear in a wide spectrum of shades including yellow, purple, orange, green and white - corundum in these colours are known as 'Fancy Sapphires'!

Why do silversmiths use 925%? Measured in parts per thousand, pure silver (999%) is too soft so silversmiths mix it with other metals to make it it harder. The purer the metal, the higher the polish, but it is a lot softer (thus less durable). The harder the metal is, the more hard wearing the jewellery is, but it will also tarnish easier as it has less silver content. Therefore, the silver industry set a standard percentage content for fine silver (925); what we know as "sterling silver". At Two Skies our silversmiths use 925 (sterling) silver for ring shafts and moving parts, and a very high 950% on our stones settings, which enables us to get a strong jewellery item with a beautiful and secure stone setting, without any gluing. Each piece of our jewellery is hand stamped with our Two Skies Hallmark alongside the recognised industry 925 Hallmark.

Relax - you can shop with confidence at Two Skies.  If you change your mind, simply get in touch to let us know you want to return one or all of your items within 7 days of receiving your order, and we'll get a replacement/refund arranged - no quibbles!