A one-of-a-kind 37.9 ct. boulder opal is the focal point of a new ring from designer Suneera Swarup of Meus Designs.

Set in 18k yellow gold and blackened silver, the ring has 1.5 cts. t.w. colorless and champagne diamonds—about half of each—and retails for $8,440.

“The opal is from Australia, is a singlet—a true cabochon, which you don’t normally see,” the designer tells JCK. She acquired the stone several years ago from an L.A. stone dealer. She says the piece signifies the earth and the treasures it holds.

After finishing the ring two months ago, she immediately posted a picture of it on Meus’ Facebook page. Almost instantly, two retailers—one from Puerto Rico and another from Los Angeles—contacted her for pricing. It is, however, still for sale.

“At first I thought I would make a pendant with the stone, but then I thought that that would just make it so regular, such a general piece of jewelry,” says Swarup. “I decided that it was such a statement that it had to be on the hand—it had to be a ring!”

A one-of-a-kind 37.9 ct. boulder opal set in 18k yellow gold and blackened silver with 1.5 cts. t.w. colorless and champagne diamonds; $8,440. Meus Designs

JCK