Legend of opal

Opal is a legendary stone.

Its history is very long and colourful, stretching from ancient times when people believed that after Gods made all other gemstones, the most unique and beautiful stone

- the Opal was created.

It received its brightness from diamond, red fire from ruby, purple light from amethyst, precious green from emerald and the resplendent blue of sapphire.

Opal is the stone for true love and is a balm for the soul.

Black Opal

Found in underground mines, predominantly in Lightning Ridge, Black Opal is a very beautiful and much sought after stone. Its name refers to its dark, rich body colour that can be translucent or opaque, exhibiting an external play of vivid colours.

The Semi Black Opal variety has a mid grey body colour.

Boulder Opal

A type of Opal found in open cut mines in Western Queensland. Boulder Opal forms in veins throughout ironstone boulders and is cut with the inseparable host rock. Boulder Opal is usually cut in a free form shape and is distinctive from other Opals because of its uneven surface. This type of Opal can display bold patterns and electric colours unique to Boulder Opal as well as the vibrant colours of both Black and White Opal.

White Opal This type of Opal is mined in Coober Pedy, Mintabie and Andamooka in South Australia. The name White Opal applies to the white body colour which shows a rich play of red, blue and green colours.

Crystal Opal The term Crystal refers to the clarity of this type of Opal, which appears translucent when held up to the light. They are renowned for their vivid colours and are found in some form on all Australian Opal fields.

Opal Doublet An Opal Doublet is not a solid Opal. It is a slice of Opal adhered to a dark background to enhance the colours of the stone, thus resembling natural Black Opal or Queensland Boulder Opal.

Opal Triplet An Opal Triplet is not a solid Opal. It is a slice of Opal sandwiched between a dark background to enhance the colours of the stone and a layer of crystal quartz to create a domed shape.

Opal Mines in Australia

Black Opal - NSW

Boulder Opal - QLD

White Opal - SA