The newest high end design from Gerard McCabe is a resplendent 5.69ct Lightning Ridge Black Opal and gemstone pendant, inspired by the effervescent personality and iconic colours of one Australia’s most loved native birds, the Rainbow Lorikeet. A wearable piece of art which is an expression of joy, laughter and beauty of life, this pendant has been designed with a matching chain and has been designed in South Australia for our Remarkable Rocks collection.
A Black Opal with a story to tell
Originally procured by Gerard in 2021 from a 1920's antique brooch, this opal displays a rarely seen Jigsaw Puzzle pattern, with coveted flashes of fire red, orange and blue. The intense interchange of rainbow colours within the gemstone inspired the idea of the Lorikeet design.
Managing Director Justin McCabe says, "Our Lorikeet Opal displays a vivid flow of colour and a pattern that's impossible to ignore. This type of top gem quality Lightning Ridge Black Opal is a real rarity. We had to have it and we had to do something spectacular with it. I would say the final result has been well worth the wait."
Justin and Gerard worked closely with Design Director Nazanin Mohammedkhani in developing the early Lorikeet ideas that became integral to the final design.
Joy and Colour: The Lorikeet Comes To life
When designing concepts for the pendant, Nazanin was drawn to the remarkable colours of the Opals. She says, "When I first saw this Opal, its colours to me spoke of magic, reaching into my soul and reflecting the beauty of nature around us." The Lorikeet, with its outgoing and playful personality and rainbow feathers was the perfect fit for the story of the Opal.
Nazanin found a connection between the magic of the Opal and the carefree nature of birds, saying, "Colours are united to mix a variety of feelings - Lorikeets remind us that even in life's challenges, we can still be happy and find joyful moments."
Crafting a masterpiece
Each gemstone in the Lorikeet design was handpicked to form a rainbow confection illustrating a Lorikeet sitting on its branch. A total of 109 gemstones feature in this design, with a pear shaped yellow sapphire representing the head of the Lorikeet. Rubies, emeralds, tsavorites and sapphires represent the bright splash of Lorikeet feathers, with elegantly twisting gold framing its tail. A matching chain with delicately sparkling gemstones sets off the pendant for the wearer.
Discover the Lorikeet design here.
OPALESCENCE - Spectacular Opals by Gerard McCabe
Entrancing. Mesmerising. Wondrous. The Opalescence collection celebrates the magnificence of Australian opals. Our collection of solid opal gemstones are expertly cut to allow the glorious play of colour to take centre stage. Lorikeet joins our Opalescence collection as an example of remarkable South Australian design.
