thanks for writing in. Antique Opal Rings are rare and beautiful. The condition of the Opal gemstone is the clincher in terms of Jewelry value.
Opals and Natural Pearls when compared with other gems do not compare (in terms of hardness) with the Diamond on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. This is the reason why Pearls and Opals do not survive the epochs of time in comparison to other gems that rate harder on the Mohs scale of hardness.
This type of gemstone jewelry in particular needs to be respected and treated with tender loving care.
In 1870, a large Opal field was discovered in Australia. Queen Victoria tried to lift the superstitious veil that had befallen the gemstone. Opals were one of her favorite gemstones and she gave them as wedding gifts to her daughters and wore Opal Jewelry herself.
Without the benefit of a photo, we are unable to give an opinion on this animal mark. There are hundreds of animal marks on metals. All one can really determine is that the animal mark has either a platypus bill or a beaver "butt" :-)
If you would like us to research this mark further please send in a follow-up submission and type in "Antique Opal Ring" in the "name your question box" and upload a photo/s of the mark and of the entire piece including the opal, if possible.
