Ring of Fire

The majestic opal ring pictured above was designed and created by Ron Wooley of Australia’s Dreaming Down Under. I saw it at the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show and fell in love, immediately. Mere pictures cannot capture the beauty of this ring because opals are the most difficult stone to photograph.

I don’t think I have ever felt this way about a piece of jewelry before, and I named it the Ring of Fire since it reminds me of the song, written in 1963 by June Carter Cash for her husband, Johnny Cash.

There is only one Ring of Fire in the world and, like Cinderella’s shoe, it will either fit, or not. It’s so stunningly imagined and executed that I had to try it on. It fits me perfectly, and leaves me with longing.

At a cool $34,500, this Ring of Fire features the best diamond pavé work I have ever seen–so utterly breathtaking and seamless as to give the appearance of having been rolled in diamond dust–and includes a fiery pale convertible opal stone that pops off like the faceplate of a stereo on an automobile, making the ideal engagement ring sans the opal, and the ideal wedding ring with it snapped on. Worn either way it is mesmerizing, a ring for royalty. I wish the photographs would represent how hypnotic the opal stone really is. I could not stop staring at it, it is so brilliant and unpredictable.

A ring like this makes me want to renew my vows all over again, just so I can buy it. It would look so, so perfect with the new pure white fall 2012 designs of Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen. Completely unique and awe-inspiring, it fills you with wonder and amazement at every angle.

My eyes remained tethered to this temperamental, spontaneous, moody stone. Neither transparent nor cloudy, it is really quite fascinating. I wish you could see it in person, the way I did. I think I will remember this ring forever.

Check out the charismatic Johnny Cash, below, performing Ring of Fire.

See you around.