Floating Opal Pendant Necklace Value Guide

- Period
- 1920-1940
- Origin
- United States
- Materials
- Gold-filled metal, glass, opal chips, glycerin
- Category
- Floating opal
The Floating Opal Pendant is a hallmark of Art Deco innovation, featuring iridescent opal fragments suspended in a liquid-filled glass teardrop. These pieces gained immense popularity in the United States between 1920 and 1940 for their unique ability to create a dynamic, ever-changing play of color as the wearer moves.
What Is Floating Opal Pendant Necklace Worth?
The typical price range for Floating Opal Pendant Necklace is $150 - $250 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:
- The clarity and viscosity of the internal liquid; cloudy or leaked glycerin significantly reduces value.
- The intensity and variety of colors visible in the opal chips, with vibrant reds and greens commanding higher prices.
- The condition of the glass teardrop, as chips, cracks, or scratches impact the $150-$250 valuation.
- The intricacy and preservation of the gold-filled decorative cap and original chain.
How to Identify Floating Opal Pendant Necklace?
- Look for the characteristic teardrop-shaped glass orb containing small opal chips and glycerin liquid.
- Examine the decorative metal cap for 'Gold-Filled' or maker's marks common to the 1920-1940 era.
- Check for the 'floating' effect where opal fragments move freely within the liquid rather than being fixed.
- Verify the presence of a gold-toned or gold-filled decorative cap securing the glass bulb to the chain.
History of Floating Opal Pendant Necklace
Floating opal pendants became popular in the Art Deco era, particularly from the 1920s through the 1940s. They offered a unique way to showcase opals, which were highly prized for their iridescence. The small opal fragments suspended in glycerin or a similar liquid inside a glass orb create a mesmerizing, ever-changing play of color, giving the illusion that the opals are 'floating'. These pieces were cherished for their delicate beauty and innovative design.
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