Famous Opal Lovers
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| Famous Opal Lovers |
| Symbol of Regency |
| By Royal Appointment |
| Opals for a Brave New World |
| Twentieth Century Technicolour |
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Queen of GemstonesDue to its exceptionality Opal has always been well represented in private collections around the globe. The mysterious 'Queen of Gemstones' is synonymous with graceful power, beauty and rarity. |
Reflective of Roman GloryThe Romans were great lovers of Opal and regarded the gems as good luck pieces. Many Roman generals carried Opal-tipped staves to their campaigns to bring them victory. A Roman woman considered herself fortunate if she possessed an Opal which was prized above all other gems. |
  Pliny the Elder relates the story of how Nonius, a Senator of the Roman republic, owned a fabulous Opal known throughout the civilised world of his day. The stone was set in a ring, it is said to have been the size and shape of a hazelnut.Goddess-Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt (30-69BC) so coveted the stone that her lover the Roman General Mark Antony sought it as a gift for her. Antony offered 100,000 Sesterces. Nonius refused to sell it, declaring it was his life. As a result he was banished from Rome losing all he owned, leaving behind his wife and family, though fleeing with his most highly prized possession. |
