The Abstract Rewards and Colors Within ROCKAWAY OPALS, one of the only shops in North America to almost exclusively sell opals, is honored to showcase a number of micro sculptures by the Australian carver Daniela L’Abbate, one of the best carvers of opals and other fine gemstones in the world.
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n the 1990s, L’Abbate was lured to Lightning Ridge by the enchanting beauty of black opals. A town in north-western New South Wales, Lightning Ridge has the largest known deposit of black opal in the world. Black opal is distinguished from other opals by its dark background, which enhances the reflection and refraction of light back to the opal’s upper surface. The darkness is the result of a black layer of common opal also known as “potch.” The result amplifies the color play of the precious opal. Already an accomplished gemologist at the time of her visit to Lightning Ridge, L’Abbate supported herself cutting opal cabochons for clients. She was frustrated when she realized how much precious
LEFT: Photo by Jenni Brammall
opal was lost when conforming to standard shapes. In order to preserve as much opal as possible, she began to carve opals with micro-tools. New, sensual, three- dimensional shapes became possible. As exposure to her work grew, so did her reputation. She has garnered many top carving awards. Today, her creations are sought after by collectors worldwide. Rockaway Opals owner Scott Glendinning first met L’Abbate at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show a number of years ago. She was demonstrating her prowess micro-carving opals. Like many others, Glendinning was fascinated with her work. He was treated to a lesson with black opal
he had just purchased. “I was hooked on the process, but I quickly realized I did not have great aptitude in the subtractive arts, nor did I possess the patience to follow the number of steps it took to create an opal carving of gem quality.” “Carving involves much more than exacting technique,” explains L’Abbate. “The carver is lost without the artistic vision to imagine and free the abstract rewards and colors within.” Anyone who gazes upon her work knows she is a consummate master. Rockaway Opals 610 B Canyon Road 505.603.2484 www.RockawayOpals.com