Recognizable and distinctively Southwest, Spider Web Opal jewelry is actually a handcrafted composite of several kinds of opal. When all is said and done, spider web opal emerges as a hard gemstone, and unlike opal, can be worn every day. Good news for its fans.

The unique color of Spider Opal comes from distraction of light, just as in natural opal. Refraction creates the unique webbing and patterns that give the pieces their magical qualities, resulting in infinite combinations of beauty in each piece. It’s glistening kaleidoscope of colors – in seemingly endless combinations – complementary and contrasting – results in stunning jewelry that’s truly hard to resist. 

“To express a marriage of two complementary colors,

their mingling and their opposition, the mysterious vibrations of kindred tones.”

-- Vincent Van Gogh

The spider web opal jewelry showcased at Beach Treasures in Duck is Native American Made with origins in New Mexico.  Years ago, on one of my annual treasure hunts out West, I was fortunate to discover an artisan whose passion is promoting spider web opal jewelry that has been authentically crafted in the traditions of Native American jewelry makers.

No matter the piece, each one has been created by an accomplished artisan. The work is exceptional and displays the talents and traditions of a respected Native American craft.

Inlay jewelry is some of the most popular -- made by creating a master piece with channels designed for gemstones to be inlayed into them. The channels have a locking groove or an angle to prevent the gemstone from falling out. Once the master is created, stone – whether spider web opal, turquoise, or spiny oyster shell -- is hand cut to fit into the channels, glued in with a high strength epoxy, cured and finally ground, sanded, and polished to perfection. 

“Genius is eternal patience.”

― Michelangelo Buonarroti 

One might imagine that the beauty of these pieces lies in the traditions of the trade and the inspiration from surroundings that are dramatically different than here on the Outer Banks.  The magnificent landscape…the fiery, robust colors at dawn and dusk dancing across canyons and mighty rock formations.  The Southwest has a spirit all its own.  It is a region with breathtaking vistas, endless starry skies, and rich warm traditions. That spider web opal jewelry has the ability to give us a glimpse of that beauty is truly remarkable.

I invite you to browse all of our spider web opal jewelry – displayed among the work of our renowned designers and artisans here at Beach Treasures in Duck...found exclusively on the Town of Duck Boardwalk.