This piece was created using a combination of lost wax casting and fabrication techniques. Lost wax casting is fully described under the section on John Strobel's tanzanite ring. Fabrication is creating parts for jewelry by cutting, bending and soldering metal sheet and wire together.

The first step in the creation of this piece was the fabrication of the bezel, the ring of gold that holds the opal. Bezel wire, which looks a bit like ribbon, was bent into the proper shape and size to fit snugly around the opal. Then the seam was soldered closed, and a "seat" of gold wire was soldered to the edge of the bottom of the bezel. The seat prevents the stone from dropping through the bezel.

Susan then carved the wax model for the body of the piece, fitting it carefully to the shape of the bezel. After this piece was cast and completely polished, she soldered the bezel in place and constructed the hinge and clasp unit for the back of the "bale" (the part at the top of a pendant where a chain passes through) so it could open. What makes this piece an enhancer is that it can be clipped over a strand of pearls or other beads, thereby "enhancing" the strand.

The setting of the opal was the final step. After the opal was fitted down into the bezel, the edge of the bezel was carefully worked over the entire edge of the stone, then sanded and polished. Because opals are soft and chip easily, bezel setting opals is exacting work!