{"product_id":"the-crown-jewel-11-45ct-natural-mexican-crystal-opal","title":"The Crown Jewel: (11.45ct) Natural Mexican Crystal Opal – From the Vault of the Empress","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Crown Jewel: 11.45ct Natural Mexican Crystal Opal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom the Private Heritage Archive of Mia Verbeeck\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Rare Intersection of Geological Magic and Antwerp History.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice: €2650.00\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e(Includes Official ALGT Report \u0026amp; Babiche Bijoux Heritage Certificate)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis breathtaking\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e11.45-carat Natural Crystal Opal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis a rare survivor of a golden era in gemstone trading.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrior to 1980, Mexico stood as the world's sole and primary source for high-quality white and crystal opals\u003c\/strong\u003e, as other major global mines had not yet emerged to define the market. This stone represents that original, prestigious standard of excellence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHand-selected for the exclusive \"New Old Stock\" (deadstock) of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMia Verbeeck\u003c\/strong\u003e, the legendary \"Empress of the Antwerp Birds Market,\" this stone has remained secured in a private vault for nearly four decades. It is now available to the public for the very first time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGemstone Excellence\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCertified by the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eALGT (Antwerp Laboratory for Gemstone Testing)\u003c\/strong\u003e, this opal is a prime example of the classic Mexican \"Crystal\" variety. It possesses a mesmerizing transparency that serves as a canvas for a vibrant\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Play of Colors.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAs the light dances across its surface, you will witness the spectral hues that made Mexican opals world-famous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eMexico (Pre-1980 Heritage Stock)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Significance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSourced when Mexico was the world's undisputed origin for this variety.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eNatural Crystal Opal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e11.45 Carat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e23.41 x 15.86 x 6.04 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClarity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eTranslucent (Opaline Effect)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTreatment:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eNone (100% Natural)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Double Certification Guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo honor its unique provenance and historical significance, this opal is accompanied by:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOfficial ALGT Report:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eConfirming its technical authenticity and untreated natural origin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBabiche Bijoux Heritage Certificate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDocumenting its lineage as an original piece from the historic Mia Verbeeck collection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Collector’s Investment\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause this stone originates from a stock pre-dating 1980, it represents a quality and origin that is increasingly difficult to find on the modern market. Given its size of over 11 carats and its documented history, it is a true\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003einvestment piece\u003c\/strong\u003e—a fragment of a bygone era, preserved by a legend of Antwerp’s heritage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"A rare opportunity to own a piece of geological history, from a time when Mexico defined the opal world.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e","brand":"Babiche Bijoux","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53698001830215,"sku":null,"price":2650.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0922\/0010\/8359\/files\/1000017025.jpg?v=1776096435","url":"https:\/\/babichebijoux.com\/products\/the-crown-jewel-11-45ct-natural-mexican-crystal-opal","provider":"Babiche Bijoux","version":"1.0","type":"link"}