Boulder Opal

This dark opal is found in Western Queensland and it forms naturally on its host rock of ironstone, which is cut to form part of the gemstone.

Boulder Opal occurs as thin veins in sedimentary ironstone boulders. The colour layer is naturally part of the dense brown ironstone base and is inseparable from it.

The inseparable nature of the colour layer and the ironstone base creates a beautiful free form finish with interesting shapes, giving boulder an individual look. This natural look combined with the intense and beautiful dark colours, has resulted in Boulder Opal enjoying an increased popularity in recent years.

 

 

Black Opal

This dark opal is found at Lightning Ridge in North Western New South Wales and is the rarest and most valuable opal. This type of opal is named Black Opal because of the dark backing called potch, or for its dark or "black" body colour.

The rough of the Black Opal is very different in shape to Boulder Opal rough and it forms in seams and small nodules called 'nobbies.' Black Opal tends to cut into cabochon (domed) shapes, usually in oval form.

 

 

Light Opal

This White Opal is found at Coober Pedy, Andamooka and Mintibie in South Australia . Due to its rainbow colours displayed against a white or light background, it is sometimes referred to as white or fire opal.

Light Opal colour ranges from near opaque to translucent and transparent. The more transparent varieties are known to as crystal (this refers to the transparency and not its structure) and are among the most beautiful light opals. Lightning Ridge in New South Wales also produces very desirable crystal opal.

 

 

Doublet Opal

Doublets are made by glueing a thin layer of light opal onto a backing of of black potch, Osbidian (volcanic rock) or dark brown ironstone. Doublets made with a backing of dark brown ironstone are called “Boulder Opal Doublets”.