Friday Sep 10

Famous Opal Lovers

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Queen of Gemstones

Due 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.


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Reflective of Roman Glory

The 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.

 Elizabeth_Taylor_Opal_CleopatraNonius_Cleopatra_Antony_OpalPliny the Elder tells 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.

Roman General and Triumvir Mark Antony was so entranced by the moving lights within Nonius' stone his fascination led him to covet the stone which he sought as a gift for his lover Goddess-Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt (30-69BC).

Antony offered Nonius several times the 2,000,000 Sesterces at which the Opal ring had been appraised, perhaps even the price of a villa on one of the seven hills of Rome in 35BC. Nonius refused to sell it, declaring it was his life. Mark Antony made him an offer he could not refuse and proscribed the Senator. Nonius preferred to be banished from Rome losing all he owned, leaving behind his wife and family, though fleeing with his most highly prized possession.


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