Opal Pendant
From the Kent Raible limited edition 'Studio Collection' we have his Ethiopian Opal Pendant enhancer. This pendant, in its classic shape, offers the multi color flashes found only in Opal, all framed in intricate detail and fine granulation in true Raible fashion.
It's easy to over look all the subtle detailing that sets this apart from the usual drop pendant with a round stone. First, Raible has set this stone up high, not flat against a gold backing. Doing this has allowed the artist room to create the stunning effect of a little crown jewel. He has created a little shelf around the base of the setting where he has added intricate detail at the four directions, as well as his fine hand granulation. Notice the bale. It's not just a loop to hold a chain, it is flared at the edges and tapered, again, with fine hand granulation. All this at such a friendly price!
.55 ct Ethiopian Opal (6mm round)
3.2 grams 18 karat Gold
Width: 0.51 in. (12.78 mm)
Depth: 0.28 in. (7 mm)
Length: 0.69 in. (17.43 mm)
See video of this piece here:
The bale on this pendant has an opening of 3.45 mm for your chain, beads, leather cord, etc.
We have included a photo of just a quick snapshot on a dark wood tabletop, so you can actually see the colors that shine through this opal. The brightly lit white backgrounds are great at showing true colors in most things, but they fail when it comes to Opals and Moonstones.
The chain in the image is sold separately. This is not one of Kent's hand made chains. This is an 18", 18 karat gold 'Cable' style chain with a 'Lobster Claw' style clasp. Inquire for price if interested.
Kent Raible and his jewelry....
Unlike much “designer” jewelry made today, all jewelry work is done under Kent's direct supervision, with the majority of pieces made entirely by his hand. Beginning with the artist's vision and his sketch, every aspect of the work is done in his studio: alloying the metals, pouring ingots from molten gold, then rolling and drawing the sheet and wire stock used in fabrication, making of granules and small parts used to produce each of Kent's fabulously intricate pieces.
All work is handmade in the USA.
".... Kent's pieces are the quintessence of sumptuous jewelry. Using gold, precious and semi precious stones, he brings to mind a fantasy world of sultans, sheiks and palatial surroundings. Kent's work is glorious in that it has a fantastical quality. It alludes to a time of opulence, when intensive labor was an end in itself. There's a sumptuous, sparkling, magnificence to his work."
- Kenneth Trapp, Former Curator, Smithsonian Institution, Renwick Gallery; National Museum of American Craft
About Kent:
"My life’s path is that of the goldsmith, a path of over 44 years now! To say I love my job would be an understatement! Because, in a world where few things endure, I am one of those who have chosen to celebrate that which defies the passage of time and the whims of fashion.
My life's works draw deeply from the most ancient wells - the archetypes, symbols, and themes that have persisted for millennia. But in my hands, they take on and follow the lines of that singular, internal vision of the practiced artist - one who speaks his own language that somehow bridges the past, present, and future.
My clients tend to call me a true Renaissance man. One could say, in fact, that the pieces I create are perfect time-traveling machines! Firmly rooted in ages-old tradition, each a conscious contributor to its own time, always with a keen and anticipatory eye on what might be next." ~ Kent
Kent Raible's ‘Studio Collection’:
These works are inspired by some of Kent's favorite one-of-a-kind pieces. They are created to be just as beautiful as his bespoke work, but by repeating the design, become more affordable. An original piece is fabricated by the artist, and is then molded and cast in 18karat gold. The castings are then finished and granulated by hand. The assembly, stone setting, chain weaving, clasp mechanisms, and finish work are done by the artist himself, and his personally trained goldsmiths. Each limited edition piece, although beginning from the same mold is slightly different; varied stones, granule patterns and other touches make each piece unique.