Inlaid Opal Lapis Sterling Silver Concho Post Earrings.

These earrings are truly impressive works of wearable art. They were masterfully hand crafted from shining Sterling Silver. The posts were made from hand cut hand stamped Sterling Silver conchos. Plus, these earrings feature hand cut pieces of lab Opal and genuine Royal Blue Lapis. These gemstones have been inlaid into a traditional pattern in shimmering channels of Sterling Silver. The inlaid patterns elegantly dangle from the concho posts. These earrings are 1-3/8" long. Stamped Sterling.

Opal's name evolved from the Roman word opalus from the Greek word opallios - "to see a change of color." The Greek word was a modification of the ancient Indian Sanskrit name for opal, upala, which meant "precious stone." If one spoke in mixed tongues, then opal would be opallios upala, "to see a change of color precious stone." As indicated by the derivation of its name, opal has centuries of history as a treasured gemstone. Historically, beliefs associated with the wearing of opal have varied. The early Greeks thought that opals gave their owners the powers of foresight and prophecy. Romans adored it as a token of hope and purity. Eastern people regarded it as sacred. Arabs believed it fell from heaven.

Lapis lazuli is a beautiful opaque stone ranging in color from a deep blue to denim. Lapis lazuli can be made of several minerals besides lazurite, namely sodalite, hauyne, calcite (white streaks), and pyrite (metallic streaks or flecks). Stones that are deep blue with small patches of pyrite and calcite are considered the most valuable. The ancients believed that divine favor and success came to those wearing lapis. It was largely reserved for royalty. Claims to origins of lapis lazuli range from Afghanistan and ancient Babylon to Peru and the Inca civilization. Regardless, those who wore lapis claimed that "power amulets" were formed when this beautiful stone was shaped into the form of an eye and ornamented with gold.