Vintage Mexican Cantera Opal and 14k Gold Filigree Ring

This is an impressive vintage cocktail-style ring featuring a high-domed Mexican Cantera opal as its centerpiece. Cantera opals are unique gemstones where the precious opal forms within segments of its volcanic rhyolite host rock (matrix). The specimen in this ring exhibits a rich, earthy reddish-brown rhyolite surrounding a central 'window' of translucent precious opal. The opal displays a vibrant play-of-color, with intense neon purples, deep electric blues, and hints of turquoise occurring in a lightning-pattern flash. The stone is shaped into a large, smooth oval cabochon and is securely bezel-set into a yellow gold mount. The setting is characterized by elaborate craftsmanship, featuring a double rope-twist border surrounding the main stone. The shoulders and shank of the ring are highly ornate, showcasing openwork filigree and scrolled wirework designs that suggest a mid-20th-century construction, possibly of Mexican or Mediterranean origin. In terms of condition, the gold shows minor surface abrasions and a slight patina consistent with light wear. The opal appears well-preserved with no visible surface crazing or deep cracks, though natural inclusions in the matrix are part of the stone's organic character. The overall construction displays high-quality hand-finishing, indicating a skilled jeweler's work.