Opals - A Journey Through Colors and Beauty
BLACK OPAL
Australian black opals stand as the rarest and most sought-after variety of opals worldwide, commanding the highest prices per carat. Their exquisite rarity is attributed to the mesmerizing interplay of a dark to black underlying body tone or potch, which brilliantly accentuates the opal's vibrant color bar.
On the body tone scale, black opals typically rank between N1 to N4, with the body tone assessed on the gem's face or top surface, distinct from the mesmerizing play of color. Notably, the body tone should never be determined solely by examining the gem's back.
Black opals owe their captivating rarity to the presence of black potch, a form of common opal silica, which holds little value without the enchanting play of color. Lightning Ridge, renowned for its opal treasures, predominantly yields black potch with striking gem play of color. Other notable sources of black opal include Mintabie and Andamooka.
The scarcity and captivating beauty of black opals make them highly prized among collectors and connoisseurs. Each black opal is a unique masterpiece of nature, a testament to the enchanting wonders of Australia's opal bounty.
DARK OPAL
Distinguished by a captivating body tone that falls between the richness of black opals and the paleness of white opals, dark opals hold a unique allure on the opal spectrum, settling between N5 to N6 on the body tone scale. While sharing the opaque nature of black opals, dark opals present a slightly lighter body shade, infusing each gem with a mesmerizing and mysterious charm.
In every opal mining region across Australia, dark opals can be discovered, establishing them as one of the more prevalent opal types. Despite their common occurrence, dark opals are by no means the least valuable; in fact, they remain highly sought-after and cherished.
The enchantment of a dark opal stems from its enchanting play of color, its radiant brightness, and its mesmerizing patterns, all of which contribute to its inherent value. However, it is the body tone of dark opals that sets them apart from their more prized counterparts like black opals. While the body tone influences the gem's worth, the play of color remains the true highlight of these captivating gems.
In their unique dance of hues, dark opals tell a story of nature's artistry and stand as exquisite embodiments of Australia's opal wealth. Each dark opal carries its own distinct character, ready to be cherished and admired by those captivated by their striking beauty.
WHITE OPAL
Renowned for its origin in Coober Pedy and widespread presence across opal fields in Australia and around the globe, white opal stands as an emblematic representation of opals worldwide. As one of the earliest opals discovered and brought to market, it remains the quintessential gem that most envision when opals are discussed.
White opal presents itself as a translucent milky gem, displaying a body tone ranging from N7 to N9. While it can exhibit a vibrant play of color, the milky white background or body tone may subtly temper its brilliance and play of hues.
Unlike crystal opal, which offers transparency and allows for the observation of distorted images, white opal only permits light to pass through without transparency. It finds itself delicately balanced between opaqueness and translucency, distinguishing it from its crystal opal counterparts.
With its time-honored legacy and timeless allure, white opal captures the imagination of opal enthusiasts and admirers alike. Each white opal tells a unique tale, showcasing nature's artistic prowess and the rich opal heritage of Australia and beyond.
CRYSTAL OPAL
Found in opal fields across Australia, crystal opals stand as the closest rival to black opals in terms of value and quality. These captivating gems possess a unique charm, being semi-transparent and allowing distorted images and light to gracefully dance through the gem when held up to a light source.
What sets crystal opals apart is their glassy transparency, which grants them unparalleled depth and brilliance in color play. With little or no potch present, crystal opals predominantly showcase a mesmerizing play of color, resulting in a breathtaking 3D color-on-color effect. When a crystal opal is entirely free of inclusions, the gem's full potential for play of color can be revealed by skillfully polishing its back.
Regarded as a true treasure of nature's artistry, crystal opals enchant beholders with their captivating symphony of hues, reflecting the magical wonders of Australia's opal bounty. Each crystal opal tells a unique story, making them cherished and sought-after by opal connoisseurs and collectors worldwide.
BOULDER OPAL
Exclusively found in the opal-rich lands of Queensland, boulder opal stands as a remarkable and highly coveted gem among the diverse array of Australian opals.
What sets boulder opal apart from its counterparts is its unique formation within ironstone host rocks, nestled within resplendent brown ironstone boulders. It is a mesmerizing dance of color and stone, as opal forms in delicate, meandering veins throughout the ironstone. To reveal its true beauty, boulder opals must be carefully opened or split, unveiling the enchanting faces of color hidden within.
Each face of boulder opal is a marvel to behold, with undulating patterns that naturally follow the contours of the boulder's seams. Remarkably, a pair of opals with identical patterns is often referred to as a 'boulder split,' as they result from a boulder being delicately split down the middle of the color vein, creating two symmetrical faces showcasing the same mesmerizing pattern and hues.
Boulder opals stand as a testament to nature's artistry, showcasing a breathtaking blend of stone and color that captivates all who admire its beauty. A true treasure of Queensland's opal bounty, each boulder opal is a unique masterpiece, cherished by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
