Page 24 - August 2015 Life In Naples Magazine

LIFE IN THE FACET LANE

DIG THIS
Opal’s Colorful Journey

by Diana Jarrett GG RMV

P recious opal has been holding fans spellbound for
centuries. The gemstone is unique in more ways
than its kaleidoscopic appearance. This stone actually
contains up to 10 percent water by weight. But it’s not
unheard of for opal to have up to 20 percent water, either.The
mesmeric play of colors for which opal is revered is due to its
microscopic silica spheres which create its rainbow hues.

When people get the opal bug, it often bites deep. Take
miner and designer John Ternus for example. Opal Guy John
has been mining opal in Australia for over 35 years. The
finest of the fine is said to occur in the famed Lightning
Ridge deposits of New South Wales, bordering Queensland.
It is also where stable black opal is found. Black opal’s deep opaque tone creates a dramatic contrast for
vibrant colors to dance across the face of these majestic jewels.

Ternus has a definite miner’s love for these marvels. “I am continually amazed at the varieties of opal
colors in proximity to each other and in combination with the same stone,” he revealed.

After all these years he’s still enchanted by each find
in these remote deposits. “In mining, I have found black
crystal opal with red and green color-play next to root beer
brown body color opal. Trying to imagine what was going
on with the geological events that came to form the opal
is fascinating.” Besides their intrinsic beauty, each opal is
distinct in shape, size and color combination. And that
aspect has endeared them to both art lovers and devotees of
one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces.

“Opals are all different and their variety is astounding,”
he said. “They are like people, each with their own
personality. When I look at an opal,” Ternus confides, “It’s
easy to believe that there is a greater power at work in the universe that would gift such treasures like
these stones.” The Naples fashionista makes an alluring muse for these naturally exotic stones. It’s our
kind of understated elegance. 3

Top Right: Underground opal mining with hydraulic rotary head digger; Courtesy: John Ternus, Opal Guy
Top Left: Opal and diamond ring in yellow gold; Courtesy: John Ternus, Opal Guy

Contact Diana Jarrett at diana@dianajarrett.com and read color-n-ice.blogspot.com