Floating Opal

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

This is the Floating Opal ring designed, created, and worn by jeweler Art Smith. The ring’s band is a sterling silver wire for the base with two additional wires soldered on the top edge. From the base of the ring, a piece of sterling silver wire curves vertically towards the bridge of the ring, forming a pedestal for an oval Mexican opal gemstone in a gold bezel. There is intentional patination between the three layers of silver, the underside of the bezel, and the top of the pedestal. The ring has one hallmark on the underside of the pedestal, Smith’s signature [Art Smith].

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