Category: Introductory

Embracing the Magic of Crystals: A Beginner’s Journey

Welcome to the world of crystals, where ancient wisdom meets modern fascination. As a beginner, the realm of gemstones may seem overwhelming, but fear not! This essential guide offers practical tips and advice to nurture your precious crystals. Let us embark on a journey to unravel the mysteries of choosing, cleansing, and using crystals, empowering you to connect with their healing energies.

Choosing Your Crystal Companions

1. Follow Your Intuition
   • When choosing crystals, trust your intuition. Allow your instincts to guide you toward the gemstones that resonate with you. Whether it’s the color, shape, or feeling you get when holding a crystal, your intuition will lead you to the right ones.
2. Research Crystal Meanings
   • Familiarize yourself with the meanings and properties of different crystals. Books, online resources, and reputable crystal guides can provide valuable insights into the unique qualities of each gemstone. Understanding their energies will help you select the crystals aligned with your intentions.

Nurturing Your Crystal Treasures

1. Cleansing Your Crystals
   • Crystals absorb energy from their surroundings, and regular cleansing is essential to maintain their vitality. Use one of the following methods to cleanse your gemstones:
   • Water: Rinse your crystals under cool running water, imagining the negative energies being washed away.
   • Smudging: Pass your crystals through the smoke of sage or palo santo to purify them.
   • Earth: Bury your crystals in a bowl of soil or natural salt to ground and cleanse them.
   • Full Moonlight: Place your crystals under the light of the full moon overnight to recharge their energy.
2. Setting Intentions
   • Crystals are powerful amplifiers of energy and intention. Before using a crystal, set a clear and positive intention for its purpose. Visualise your desires while holding the crystal, infusing it with your intentions.

Using Crystals in Your Daily Life

1. Meditation and Mindfulness
   • Integrate crystals into your meditation practice to deepen your connection with yourself and the universe. Hold a crystal that aligns with your meditation goals or place it nearby to enhance your focus and relaxation.
2. Carrying Crystals with You
   • Keep small crystals in your pocket or wear them as jewelry to carry their energies with you throughout the day. For example, Amethyst can support calmness during stressful moments, while Rose Quartz fosters self-love and compassion.

Your Guide to Crystal Enlightenment

At Opals Down Under, we cherish the transformative power of crystals and are here to guide beginners on their crystal journey. Our passion for gemstones and their healing properties fuels our commitment to offer expert advice and a diverse selection of crystals. Begin your exploration with confidence and let the magic of crystals enrich your life.

Discovering the Magic of Crystal Meanings

Crystals have captivated humanity for centuries with their mystical allure and inherent energies. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the enchanting world of crystal meanings and uncover the unique qualities each gemstone possesses. Explore how crystals can be harnessed for various purposes, from promoting tranquility to stimulating creativity, and embark on a journey of self-discovery with the wisdom of crystals.

A Journey Through Crystal Meanings

1. Amethyst: The Stone of Spiritual Protection and Intuition
   • Amethyst is renowned for its ability to foster spiritual growth and intuition. Embrace its calming energies to ease stress and promote inner peace. Meditate with Amethyst to enhance spiritual awareness and connect with higher consciousness.
2. Rose Quartz: The Gem of Love and Emotional Healing
   • Rose Quartz resonates with unconditional love and emotional healing. Use this nurturing crystal to attract love and enhance self-acceptance. Allow Rose Quartz to heal emotional wounds and cultivate compassion in your heart.
3. Citrine: The Crystal of Abundance and Positive Energy
   • Citrine radiates warmth and positivity, attracting abundance and success. Place Citrine in your workspace to enhance creativity and manifest your desires. Its vibrant energy uplifts the spirit and invites prosperity into your life.
4. Clear Quartz: The Master Healer and Amplifier
   • As the master healer, Clear Quartz enhances the energy of other crystals and intentions. Program Clear Quartz with your goals and intentions to amplify their manifestation. Its versatility makes it an indispensable crystal for any collection.

Crystal Uses in Everyday Life

1. Meditation and Mindfulness
   • Crystals play a significant role in meditation, facilitating relaxation and focus. Choose crystals that resonate with your meditation goals, such as Amethyst for spiritual connection or Selenite for mental clarity. Hold or place the crystal near you during meditation to enhance your practice.
2. Chakra Balancing and Alignment
   • Crystals are used in chakra balancing to align and cleanse the body’s energy centers. Select crystals that correspond to each chakra, such as Lapis Lazuli for the Third Eye chakra or Rose Quartz for the Heart chakra. Place the crystals on the corresponding chakra points during meditation or energy work.
3. Enhancing Energy and Well-Being
   • Crystals can positively influence your energy field and overall well-being. Carry or wear crystals like Citrine or Carnelian to boost vitality and confidence. Place crystals in your living space to create a harmonious and energetically balanced environment.

Opals Down Under: Your Gateway to the Crystal Realm

At Opals Down Under, we celebrate the beauty and power of crystals, offering a diverse selection of high-quality gemstones. Our expert team is passionate about guiding you through the enchanting world of crystal meanings and their myriad uses. Explore our collection in-store, and let the wisdom of crystals enrich your life’s journey.

A relatively soft stone (ranking 6.5/10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale), Australian Opal has a hardness that is relative to glass, so it is important to treat your Australian Opal with care to avoid any potential damage.  

If there is a chance your opal could be in a situation where it will be scratched or fractured (for example, working out at the gym, instances where heavy lifting is occurring, gardening etc), then it is highly recommended that you remove your opal jewellery to avoid any damage.

It is a common misconception that natural Australian Opals can be damaged by being immersed in water, when in fact this is incorrect. Solid Australian Opals are non-porous, and will not absorb moisture.  The majority of precious opal will contain approximately 3-5% moisture.  However, water damage can occur to Doublet Opal and Triplet Opal as they are laminated pieces – in which immersion in water frequently will cause the glue holding the layers of the Doublet or Triplet together will begin to break down.  It is recommended to avoid exposing Solid Australian Opal to extremely high (and low) temperatures as this may cause internal fracturing or cracking.

To clean your solid Australian Opal – it should be cleaned gently with mild detergent in warm water and a soft toothbrush or cloth.  You can also use a small amount of ammonia, diluted in water, to achieve this result.  It is NOT recommended to clean your opal in an Ultrasonic cleaner, as the intense vibrations can causing cracking/fracturing.

To store your solid Australian Opal – if you ever need to store your solid Australian Opal away in a safe place or a drawer, simply place it in a padded bag (or display box) for protection.  In the case of longer periods of storage (such as in a safe or safety deposit box), seal the solid Australian Opal in a plastic lock-seal bag with a moistened cotton ball to prevent any potential drying/dehydration which can lead to internal fracturing.

FAQ :  What is the history of opal? Are opals bad luck? Is opal bad luck? Why and when did superstition begin to surround opal?

Opal… the Bad Luck Stone?

For many years, the opal has tried to shake off rumours and wives tales about the stone bringing bad luck. Perpetuated by folk lore, mistaken identity, superstitions, family tales and disgruntled diamond traders, the opal has had a pretty tough life. As we entered the age of reason and science, this belief has somewhat fallen by the wayside, but a glimmer of the superstition still survives today. Of course, like any unprovable theory, you’ll have to make up your own mind, but we’ve got our feet planted firmly in the non-believers camp. After all, we’ve owned and loved opals for over forty-five years and they’ve brought us nothing but good luck!

The Luck of the Opal: A History

The folklore connected with crystals, gems, and precious stones is as old as it is varied. Much of this tradition dates back to the beginnings of civilization, when jewelry was worn not only as adornment but also as protection against occult forces and human foolishness. Amethyst, for example, was thought to sober drunks, quell sexual passion, and cure baldness. Aquamarine was believed to protect seafarers, while emeralds increased fertility and intelligence, imparted prophetic ability, and other wild talents. Rubies provided defense against every kind of misfortune, made hostile neighbors friendly, and promoted one’s stature in the community.

The opal’s nasty reputation however has troubled folklorists for centuries. Fantastic legends have grown up around this harmless stone, cautionary tales designed to discourage those who might otherwise find themselves mortally attracted by its fiery brilliance. To this day, the odd prejudice against opals remains alive and well in some corners of the world, especially in the backwaters of southern Europe and the Middle East, where jewellers won’t carry opals and customers won’t buy them.

Throughout history, while many stones were prized for their positive magical qualities, others were denounced as vessels of evil. No gem was more vilified than the poor opal. Witches and sorcerers supposedly used black opals to increase their own magical powers or to focus them like laser beams on people they wanted to harm. Medieval Europeans dreaded the opal because of its resemblance to “the Evil Eye,” and its superficial likeness to the optical organs of cats, toads, snakes, and other common creatures with hellish affiliations.

An opal completely contaminated with evil were believed capable of maiming or even killing a person foolish enough to wear or own it. Tales alleging to prove this are few in number, but the belief persists nevertheless, like those old but curiously tenacious admonitions about walking under ladders, stepping on a crack in the sidewalk, or allowing a black cat to dart across one’s path. Popular superstitions such as these will be with us always, but however fanciful they may be, most have prosaic origins.

The early years – the “good luck” opal

The Romans established opal as a precious gemstone, obtaining their supplies from traders in the Middle East. Opals from this era are thought to have come from Cernowitz, a mountainous region in what was at that time Hungary , but now Slovakia. However early Romans believed the source was India, an incorrect belief promoted by traders in order to protect their interests.

They believed the opal was a combination of the beauty of all precious stones, and it is well documented in Roman history that Caesars gave their wives opal for good luck. They ranked opal second only to emeralds, and carried opal as a good luck charm or talisman because it was believed that like the rainbow, opal brought its owner good fortune. In the days when Rome spread her legions across Europe and Africa, a Roman Senator by the name of Nonius opted for exile rather than sell his valuable opal to Marc Antony who wanted to give it to his famous lover Cleopatra.

In fact, in Roman times, the gem was carried as a good luck charm of talisman, as it was believed that the gem, like the rainbow, brought its owner good fortune. To the Romans, it was considered to be a token of hope and purity.  It was also referred to as the “Cupid Stone” because it suggested the clear complexion of the god of love. The early Greeks believed the opal bestowed powers of foresight and prophecy upon its owner, while in Arabian folklore, it is said that the stone fell from heaven in flashes of lightning. The Oriental traditions referred to them as “the anchor of hope”. Lucky opal – the stone of hope, the birthstone of October.

Special Powers

Early races credited opal with magical qualities and traditionally, opal was said to aid its wearer in seeing limitless possibilities. It was believed to clarify by amplifying and mirroring feelings, buried emotions and desires. It was also thought to lessen inhibitions and promote spontaneity.

In the 7th Century it was believed that opals possessed magical properties, and centuries later Shakespeare was attributed with the description of opal as “that miracle and queen of gems”. Eastern peoples also dealt very heavily in this precious stone, which was believed to bring luck and to enhance psychic abilities.

However, the entire time the Hungarian mines supplied Europe with opal, including a stone for the crown of a Roman Emperor, superstitions circulated attributing evil powers and maladies to the colourful stone. In the eleventh century, Bishop Marbode of Rennes wrote of opal, “…Yet ’tis the guardian of the thievish race; It gifts the bearer with acutest sight; But clouds all other eyes with thickest night.” This is thought to be based on the idea that opal granted its bearer with invisibility, therefore it was a talisman for thieves, spies and robbers!

Opals were also thought to have teleportation powers. A piece of opal jewelry might suddenly disappear from some obvious place, only to turn up weeks or months later somewhere unexpected. Of course, forgetfulness might also be to blame.

Fear and loathing of the opal did not discourage the development of a counter folklore which cast the stone as a symbol of hope, innocence, and purity. The Arabs of Mohammed’s time were quite enamored of the gem, and were convinced they were carried to earth on bolts of lightning. European writers and poets of the Middle Ages also sang the opal’s praises, claiming it had curative effect on bad eyes, protected children from predatory animals, banished evil, and made entertainments, friendships, and romances much more intense and enjoyable. Fair-haired girls in Germany and Scandinavia were encouraged to wear opal pins in their hair, as they were thought to add magical luster to their golden locks and protect them from freezing rain, wind, and other vicissitudes of the Nordic climate.

In the Middle Ages, the opal was known as the “eye stone” due to a belief that it was vital to good eyesight. Blonde women were known to wear necklaces of opal in order to protect their hair from losing its color. Some cultures thought the effect of the opal on sight could render the wearer invisible. Opals were set in the Crown jewels of France and Napoleon presented his Empress Josephine a magnificent red opal containing brilliant red flashes called “The Burning of Troy.”

The “Evil Eye”

Medieval Europeans shunned opal because of its likeness to the eyes of several “evil” animals, such as cats. Fear of the Evil Eye, common to cultures the world over, was and remains especially acute in the Mediterranean. Simply defined, the term signifies a covetous or malicious glance meant to bring harm. Witches were thought to possess this awful power in great abundance, though common people with unrealized magical talents could also wield it, albeit unconsciously. The Eye did its stuff directly and indirectly. It could strike its intended victim sick or dead on the spot, or kill family members, blight crops, sicken livestock, or summon a storm with the muscle to level a house, a village, or an entire town.

The Evil Eye’s association with the opal probably originated in Elizabethan England. There the stones were called “ophals,” a shortening of the word ophthalmos, which referred to the human eye. The Evil Eye was accepted as fact in 16th Century Britain, as was belief in omens and auguries. In the minds of superstitious Elizabethans, the occult link between ophals and ophthalmos was both obvious and ominous.

Fear of the Eye crossed the Atlantic with European settlers. In Puritan New England, colonists wore heart-shaped pendants with prayers inside to protect themselves from the godless gaze of Satan’s servants – witches, sorcerers, and magic workers who could be found in every forest clearing, every abandoned barn, and under every bed.

Ironically, they had it all wrong. The word opal had actually descended from the Roman “opalus,” an ancestor of the modern opal that was thought to heal the blind and make a person invisible to his enemies. Opalus was among the most virtuous of stones. To the Romans, who in their own way were even more superstitious than the Elizabethans, it was certainly no kin to the Evil Eye.

Plague, death & disaster

During the late 18th and 19th centuries opal fell out of favour, as it was associated with pestilence, famine and the fall of monarchies. Opal was also tied to the Black Plague, an affliction that struck in the middle of the 14th Century, ultimately eradicating more than a third of Europe’s population and much more in neighboring territories. During the decimation of Europe by the Black Death, it was rumoured that an opal worn by a patient was aflame with colour right up to the point of death, and then lost its brilliance after the wearer died. As the plague put Europe under siege, desperate people searched for a scapegoat. They found several in the persons of Jews, heretics, and, of course, the much-maligned opal.

Queen Victoria, however, did much to reverse the unfounded bad press. Queen Victoria became a lover of opal, kept a fine personal collection, and wore opals throughout her reign.

“The year 1348, an astrological Martial sub-cycle, saw Venice assailed by destructive earthquakes, tidal waves and the Plague,” wrote Isidore Kozminsky in The Magic and Science of Jewels and Stones. “The epidemic in a few months carried off two-thirds of the population of the city sparing neither rich nor poor, young nor old. It is said that at this time the opal was a favorite gem with Italian jewelers, being much used in their work. It is further said that opals worn by those stricken became suddenly brilliant and that the luster entirely departed with the death of the wearer. Story further tells that the opal then became an object of dread and was associated with the death of the victim.”

Many centuries later, a Spanish king would sully the opal’s already sordid reputation further still. In the late 19th Century, Alfonzo XII fell madly in love with a beautiful aristocrat named the Comtesse de Castiglione. The Comtesse reciprocated the King’s affection, but months before the pair were to wed the faithless Alfonzo married another woman, the Princess Mercedes. Vowing to get even, the Comtesse sent the couple a wedding present in the form of a magnificent opal set in a huge ring of the purest gold. The princess was immediately smitten by the gift and insisted that her husband slip it on her finger. He obliged, and two months later the princess mysteriously died.

After the funeral Alfonzo gave the ring to his grandmother, Queen Christina, who almost immediately thereafter also expired. After that the ring passed to Alfonzo’s sister, the Infanta Maria del Pilar. Maria died as well, apparently victim to the same weird illness that had taken the other two women. The ring was up for grabs yet again, and when Alfonzo’s sister-in-law expressed an interest, he let her have it with the usual result.

Deeply depressed by then, the King decided to end it all by slipping the ring on his own finger, just as Cleopatra had embraced the asp to terminate her own misery. In little over a month, the ring did to Alfonzo what the snake had done to the Egyptian Queen. The ring was finally attached to a gold chain and strung around the neck of a statue of the patron saint of Madrid, the Virgin of Alumdena. That put an end to the incredible chain of tragic circumstances, but was the gem really responsible for the calamities besetting this royal family? According to Kozminsky, it seems pretty unlikely.

“At this time it must be remembered that cholera was raging through Spain,” he writes in The Magic and Science of Jewels and Stones. “Over 100,000 people died of it during the summer and autumn of 1885. It attacked all classes from the palace of the king to the hut of the peasant, some accounts giving the death estimate at 50 percent of the population. It would be as obviously ridiculous to hold the opal responsible for this scourge as it was to do so in the previously noted plague at Venice. All that may be said is that in this case the opal was not a talisman of good for King Alfonzo XII of Spain and to those who received it from his hand, and that in the philosophy of sympathetic attraction and repulsion man, stones, metals and all natural objects come under the same law.”

Anne of Geierstein

The saddest opal saga is the oft-repeated misconception in the last of Sir Walter Scott’s novels, Anne of Geierstein (1829), which irrevocably linked opal to misfortune. Having not read the third volume, the public jumped to the conclusion that the heroine has been bewitched, that her magic opal discolours when touched by holy water, and that she dies as a result. On carefully examining the texts, Si Frazier, writing in Lapidary Journal, found all three accusations false. The opal, which actually belonged to Anne’s exotic grandmother, turns out to have turned pale as a warning to its owner against poisoning (which was the actual cause of her grandmother’s death). Even so, this single work plunged opal prices to half in just one year and crippled the European opal market for decades.

George F. Kunz, author of The Curious Lore of Precious Stones, says, “There can be little doubt that much of the modern superstition regarding the supposed unlucky quality of the opal owes its origin to a careless reading of Sir Walter Scott’s novel, ‘Anne of Geierstein’. The wonderful tale… contains nothing to indicate that Scott really meant to represent opal as unlucky.”

Unlucky jewellers

Another contributing factor to opal’s bad reputation may be the fact that opals are a relatively fragile gemstone. Opals are a soft gemstone compared to diamonds, and can be broken if mis-treated or treated roughly. This may have contributed to an overall perception of opal as “bad luck”, since anybody would be heartbroken to lose a precious beautiful opal or family heirloom.

“A possible explanation of the superstitious dread that opal used to excite some time ago may be found in the fact that lapidaries and gem-setters to whom opals were entrusted were sometimes so unfortunate as to fracture them in the process of cutting or setting,” wrote George Frederick Kunz in The Curious Lore of Precious Stones.

“This was frequently due to no fault on the part of the cutters or setters, but was owing to the natural brittleness of the opal. As such workmen are responsible to the owners for any injury to the gems, they would soon acquire a prejudice against opals, and would come to regard them as unlucky stones. Very widespread superstitions have no more foundation than this, for the original cause, sometimes quite a rational one, is soon lost sight of and popular fantasy suggests something entirely different and better calculated to appeal to the imagination.”

One royal opal did bring terrible misfortune to the hapless goldsmith who broke it during setting. The unforgiving Louis XI ordered his hands cut off! It’s no surprise that few of his colleagues thereafter had anything good to tell buyers about opal, therefore some blame opal’s maligned reputation on the difficulty that lapidaries had with cutting and setting them.

Bitter traders

Some maintain that diamond merchants of the mid 19th and early 20th centuries saw the amazing attributes of opal and realised it was going to be a serious threat to their livelihood. When high quality Australian opal appeared on the market in the 1890’s, it is understood that diamond cartels actively spread the false rumour that opal was unlucky and seriously damaged the reputation of opals.

Opal, with its stunning play of colour, was increasing in popularity and could represent a threat to the lucrative diamond trade now that it was being mined commercially. The story goes that jealous diamond traders spread the belief that opals are bad luck to protect themselves and give opals a bad reputation. Some of the rumours stuck and became the ‘old wives’ tales which are still repeated today.

The lucky stone

Isidore Kozminsky in the 1922 edition of his book The Magic and Science of Jewels and Stones states that “perhaps against no other gem has the bigotry of superstitious ignorance so prevailed as against the wonderful opal.”

He also cites several historical references to the talismanic qualities of opal including the story of a French baron who resided in London, who owned an opal that had been in the family since the twelfth century. In 1908 he took the opal to the London Pavilion where a soothsayer told him that the opal would bring him good fortune and that he was about to inherit £500,000! The London newspaper “Evening News” reported that within a few days the soothsayers’ prediction had come true, it also stated that the ancient opal had a feint inscription in old Spanish, which translated to the words “Good Luck”.

Another anecdote tells the tale of a rich city financier who took his ‘opal ring’ to a jeweller: he wanted to sell it because of the ill luck it had brought him. A tale of misfortune was recounted. As a result of wearing the ring, his wife had fallen ill, a condition that also affected his son, and he encountered among many other troubles financial difficulties and ill health. The jeweller, however, merely smiled and showed him that the stone in the ring was not an opal but a moonstone. Only his imagination had endowed the opal ring with such unpleasant properties.

There are many reports of opal bringing people luck, including the many opal miners who have made their fortunes and have lived long and prosperous lives. A well known piece of history comes from the Lightning Ridge Historical Society. Mick McCormack, a young opal miner at Lightning Ridge, rode off on his bike when war was declared and went to enlist, simply saying to his friends “I’ll be back”. A lifetime went by and a very old man was in the Lightning Ridge Hotel showing a piece of opal that he had mined and carried with him through the Great War. At the time he was showing it a buyer offered him 1500 pounds Australian for the stone. The old man said, “1500 quid? Not on your life, mate – I wouldn’t accept fifteen thousand quid. I carried this opal through the war with me and I remember one time when I thought it was my last day on earth. Men were killed all around me. Night time, it was, and there was the flashes of the guns and the shells bursting all around us. My hair was standing up and I was sweating. I was really frightened. I had the opal in my tunic pocket. I took it out and looked at it and something …sort of …calmed me down. I looked at the opal in my hand and I thought , some day, I’ve got to go back to the Ridge. And I’ll get back! And I’ll take this stone back to where it came from. No mate, money can’t buy this stone.” A couple of old miners finally realised who this old man was. They had grown up with him as kids and it was their old mate Mick who had been true to his word and had finally brought his stone home.

Some people believe that opal is bad luck… however, we at Opals Down Under believe it’s bad luck if you don’t have one! One person who would back us up is Harry Brukarz, who owned an opal shop at the corner of Martin Place and Castlereagh Street, Sydney. Harry won numerous lottery prizes in the 1940’s and 1950’s, and attributed his lottery winnings to “the luck of the opal”. The major $120,000 (60,000 pound) prize he counted among his winnings represented a tidy fortune in itself. 

Despite all of this and more, the bad rap against opals has stuck through the ages. This can be partially explained by human nature. For most people, a bad opal will always have more appeal than a good one, a cursed opal more fascination than an opal that brings good luck, wards off wicked influences, or cures. We humans love a mystery, and the darker the mystery, the better we like it.

Sources :

• “Opals”, by Fred Ward, Gem Book Publishers, 1997.
• “Australian Precious Opal”, Andrew Cody, 1991.
• “Fatal Attraction”, by D. Douglas Graham, Colored Stone magazine, September / October 2001.

A guide to purchasing opals.

FAQ : What to look for in an opal – What is a doublet? What is a triplet? How do I buy opals? What are the different types of opals? How can I get value for money when I’m buying an opal?

If you’re not an expert, buying an opal can be a very daunting task. To help you out, we’ve put together this little guide, which will hopefully help you make the right choice for your needs.

Educate Yourself

Read as much as you can about opals so you know what you’re getting. One of the missions of our website is to provide as much information as possible about opals so our customers can educate themselves until they feel satisfied.

Before buying, determine whether you are looking at a doublet, a triplet, or a solid opal. Doublets & triplets consist of a very thin slice of opal, cemented onto a black backing. This causes the stone to be dark & bright in colour (the idea being to replicate the highly valuable black opal). The advantage of buying a doublet or triplet is a lower price (they are much cheaper to produce) – however the disadvantage is they may eventually be destroyed if repeatedly immersed in water. Solid opals are therefore considered much better – they’re 100% the “real thing” and are a quality, long-term investment.

Types of opal

Black opals, boulder opals, white opals and crystal opals – these are all different types of opals, the difference being that they are found in different parts of Australia, and each have very different appearances.

In summary;

• Black opals are the ‘Rolls Royce’ of opals, and often have a certain price attachment associated with their status and rarity. Black opals are generally considered to be the best in the world due to their dark body tone.
• Boulder opals are the much lesser known cousin of the black opal, but they can have equally stunning colour. The opal forms in thin veins on an ironstone backing (hence the dark colour), therefore the price is generally much less per carat due to the ironstone content of the stone. Be wary of people selling boulder opal at a price ‘per carat’, leaving a heavy ironstone back on the stone. This is a sneaky way of boosting the price of the stone. Boulder opals are the most ‘hardy’ of all opals due to their very hard ironstone backing.
• White opals have a ‘milky’ white body tone, and are much more common. The white body tone often causes the colour to be less bright, however by the same token, high quality white opals can be captivating.
• Crystal opals – this is any type of opal with a translucent / transparent quality. This quality can add value to a stone when combined with good colour.

Selecting an opal

Pick a stone that appeals to you! Each stone has an individual personality, much like people, so nobody can tell you what your opal should look like. Red on black is most valuable, but if you like blue, go for a blue stone!

Consider what you’re going to be using the stone for. Shape and size is an important factor when considering the setting for jewellery. If you are buying a high quality stone, consider matching it with a high quality setting.

Consider the brilliance – A brilliant stone is good, no matter the colour or body tone, but you’ll pay more. Stones classed as ‘bright’ are still beautiful, and even subdued stones can still be amazing.

Colour values – red is the most valuable, followed by orange, yellow, green, and then blue being the most common.

Certificates of Authenticity – always ask for a signed certificate of authenticity with your opal. Not only is it good for insurance purposes, and re-sale value, you are also making the dealer accountable.

Learn how opals are valued – read our article on how opal is valued. Educate yourself on the general principles of opal valuation and compare stones. There is no ‘formula’ for figuring out the value of a stone, although people have tried and are still trying to formalise this process. There is no substitute for years of experience mining, cutting, and valuing stones. Buy from someone who has a good reputation, preferably someone who cuts or mines the stones themselves.

Cracks and faults – Any opal vendor worth their salt will clearly state any inclusions or faults within a stone which are visible to the naked eye. Natural inclusions and faults are OK, but don’t buy a stone with cracks. If you are inspecting the stone in person, make sure it’s dry, then hold it up against a lamp to inspect it for cracks. Be careful not to mistake natural formation lines in opal for cracks (eventually you will be able to tell the difference). A cracked stone is virtually worthless. The person you are buying the stone from has an obligation to make you aware of any cracks or faults in the stone before you purchase it.

GST & prices – GST (Goods and Services Tax) is a value-added tax of 10% added on most goods and services transactions in Australia. Prices on our website are shown in both inclusive and exclusive GST prices. If you are an overseas customer, you do not need to pay this tax. Exported goods are tax-free and not subject to Australia’s GST. Opals Down Under passes this benefit onto our international customers and internet purchases shipped overseas are accordingly tax-free. Customers who reside in Australia however will be charged this tax at the rate of ten per cent. Please select the correct tax bracket when submitting your order.

Buying opals over the internet – it’s understandable that some people will be concerned about doing business over the internet. Here are some of the questions we’ve received over the years:

• How can I be sure I’m getting what I see in the photos?

Good question. Opal photography is by no means an exact science, and everybody has a different method, camera, conditions, and experience when it comes to photographing opals. Irresponsible sellers looking to make a quick buck can easily enhance their pictures to make the stones look better, so you need to trust who you’re dealing with.

In our experience, there’s no way we can 100% accurately portray the beauty of a natural Australian opal on a computer screen, but we think we get pretty close. Each item has several photos and a short video to give you the best possible idea of what you are buying. We are obsessive about taking photos which accurately represent our stones, and take our photography very seriously. If we tried to rip people off, we’d have been out of business many years ago. As a safety net for you, we provide a 100% money back guarantee – if the opal arrives and you’re not happy for any reason, just send it back for a full refund. End of story. You have complete protection from receiving a product which does not meet your expectations.

• Do I really want to give my credit card details to someone I have never met?

Truth be known, there will always be a certain amount of trust required for conducting business over the internet. We continue to build on our forty-five year reputation in the opal industry by doing business the only way we know how – openly & honestly. Our integrity also has the right technology to back it up – all credit card details are processed through a secure, high-level encrypted SSL server. Your credit card details are not transmitted via email, and kept highly confidential.

I hope this guide has been of some use to you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.

Most common words are below:

• Agitator – or ‘agi’ for short; a modified cement mixer used to wash and tumble opal dirt. Usually set up adjacent to a dam for water supply.
• Amorphous – a word meaning “without form”, applied to gems and minerals that have no definite or orderly arrangement of atoms or crystal structure and have no external crystal structure.
• Artesian Basin – a large body of underground water that covers some 1,750,000 square kilometres or around 676,250 square miles in the inland of Australia and occurs in many other places in the world. A huge source of water by way of bores or wells in the arid areas.
• Automatic hoist – a machine which can be activated from underground to pull a bucket up the mine shaft and tip its content out; used to carry opal dirt up and dump it into a truck.
• Ballroom – a term used to describe a large cavity in an opal mine where the opal dirt has been removed in the search for opal. These ballrooms can be quite large.
• Bar – a descriptive term for the way the actual opal colour forms in a nobby or piece of seam opal, usually referred to as “the colour bar”.
• Black opal – the most rare and valuable type of opal. Due to its iron oxide and carbon content, black opal has a dark body tone, which gives greater intensity to the gem colour. The word ‘black’ doesn’t refer to the colours displayed by the opal – black opal comes in every colour of the rainbow. Learn more about black opals.
• Blow – a formation resembling a cylindrical ‘tube’ varying in diameter from a few inches to many feet and found in the actual opal ‘level’, sometimes containing some opal fragments and made up of a whitish sandy material which is often very hard. Thought to be steam or pressure vents millions of years ago.
• Blower – a machine like a giant vacuum cleaner, used to suck opal dirt from underground into a pipe, up the shaft and into a waiting truck. A more recent invention than the automatic hoist.  A blower can remove massive quantities of opal dirt.
• Body tone – Opal is rated on a body tone scale from dark to light. N1-N4 is “black opal”, then N5-N6 is “semi black” and N7-N9 is “light”.
• Bogger – a small vehicle with a tipping scoop on the front, used in some mines to move opal dirt from the mine face to the mine shaft for transport up to the truck.
• Boulder opal – mined in Queensland, this gem forms naturally on a dark brown ironstone. Boulder opals often show colour just as well and sometimes better than black opals. Learn more about boulder opals.
• Bummy – a slang term used on the opal fields to describe a stone which has been cut with large or excessive backs on them.
• Buyer – someone who buys opal from miners, runners, or other buyers.
• Cabochon – the domed or convex top which is shaped and polished on a finished gemstone. i.e. a non-faceted surface which is rounded and smooth all over. This technique is used in place of faceting in opal cutting.
• Calibrate – to cut a stone to a regulated standard size, usually by template and the use of vernier calipers.
• Carat – a unit of weight used to measure opals and other gemstones. One carat equals one fifth of a gram.
• China Hat – a formation of rough opal nobby with a peaked centre, thought to be an ancient lily centre which has fossilised into opal.
• Cleave or Cleavage – the ability of a gemstone or mineral to break in a certain direction usually because of its crystal structure. In opal, the cleavage plane is totally irregular and somewhat haphazard. The veins of opal in boulder opal are sometimes cleaved apart to expose the opal.
• Common Opal – This term describes all opal that doesn’t have a play of colour, but rather is one or other of the base colours, e.g. white, grey, black – i.e. potch.
• Coocoran – A fairly large basin that, during flood times, becomes a lake some 7 kilometres long and 3 kilometres wide. More importantly it is the name for the largest opal field of late in the Lightning Ridge area. Used to describe the large group of opal mining fields around and beyond the lake.
• Crystal opal – any kind of opal that is transparent or translucent. Learn more about crystal opal.
• Diaphaneity – the property of being transparent or translucent, often applied to opals when referring to crystal opals.
• Digger – a hydraulic machine with a digging claw, used underground to mine opal. The miner stands at the controls of the digger while it is operating.
• Doublet – Fine slices of white or crystal opal placed on top of a dark backing, making it look like the much rarer black opal. Learn more about opal doublets.
• Dopping – the technique of adhering a stone to a stick in order to handle it better during the cutting and finishing processes, using a specially designed wax.
• Drill – these days many miners buy or hire a large drill to explore prospective opal-bearing ground. The drill is used to bore holes up to nine inches diameter, bringing earth and rock to the surface to be inspected for indications of opal.
• Drive – the name used to describe a tunnel dug for the extrication of ‘opal dirt’, usually situated directly below the roof to a depth of about six feet.
• Fire opal – this can refer to a couple of different things. Mexican Fire Opal is the only opal which is technically referred to ‘fire opal’ within the opal industry. However, the term ‘fire opal’ has also been used to describe any opal with a brilliant flash of ‘fire colours’ – i.e. red / orange colour. This is not a term which is generally used in Australia to describe opal. The term is also occasionally used less accurately to describe black opals with red colouring.
• Fossils – a fossil is a remnant of what was, either whole or in part, but usually replaced by some other element, for example opal, which produces fossilised opal.
• Gouge – a term used by miners to describe the action of gently picking at the face to find opal as opposed to actual digging. Gouging is done when checking for trace or when opal has been seen, so as to get it out quickly rather than waiting for the processing to be done.
• Hoist – A mechanical device pioneered in Lightning Ridge that takes the dirt from the mine to the surface automatically.
• Inclusion – Any material that has formed internally in opal, such as matrix, sand or even mud, and occasionally Gypsum, also known as dendrite.
• Ironstone – Rock that has a rusty redish brown appearance and is composed of iron oxide, mostly a conglomerate. In boulder opal the actual opal is in or around this material, and is cut leaving the boulder host rock on the back of the stone.
• Level – The name given to that strata where opal could be potentially found – commonly called opal dirt.
• Mohs’ Scale – The internationally recognised scale for measuring hardness in gems and minerals.
• Mullock or Mullock Heap – A term used to describe the piles of opal dirt lying on the surface on all the fields.
• Nobby – a naturally lump-shaped piece of opal. The nobby form of opal is only found at Lightning Ridge.
• Opal – An amorphous non-crystalline gem mineral solidified from gelatinous or liquid silica deposited in cracks and cavities left by decaying vegetation, wood, crustaceans and bones millions of years before. Very valuable in its ‘black’ forms and containing a reasonable content of water. Chemical symbol: SiO2 plus H2 O. In higher grades of opal the water content can be as high as 10%. Refractive Index of 1.38 – 1.60 and a hardness of between 5.5 to 6.5 on Mohs’ scale. Learn more about opal.
• Opal carving – a specialised method of opal cutting, used to conserve gem opal and to produce uniquely-shaped gemstones with freeform shapes and undulating surfaces.
• Opal cutter – a skilled person who cuts rough or rubbed opal into cut and polished gemstones.
• Opal dirt – claystones in which opal is found.
• Opalised or Opalized fossil – opal which has filled a void in the earth caused by decomposed objects, in the shape of teeth, bones, shells, plants, etc. to form an opal fossil.
• Orientation – a term associated with opal cutting used to descibe the skill of making the absolute best out of a rough piece of opal in terms of colour, shape pattern, etc. The art of getting the best out of a stone.
• Potch – common or colourless opal – a form of non-precious opal that doesn’t contain gem colour.
• Prop – an upright log used to support the roof of an underground mine.
• Ratter – a person despised on the opal fields. A thief who steals opal from a mine, an agitator or a pile of tailings.
• Rough – opal that hasn’t yet been touched by cutting equipment.
• Rub – opal that has been roughly ground down or ‘rubbed’ by cutting machinery to remove gross impurities and establish a preliminary shape.
• Runner – someone who sells opal to buyers on behalf of the owners of the opal, usually on a commission basis.
• Saw – In terms of opal cutting, an automated diamond saw, comprising a circular blade with the outside edge coated with diamond. Used with water for lubrication and to avoid overheating of the opal.
• Seam – a horizontal layer of opal in the ground. Opal is often found by miners by following a ‘seam’. Very thin seam is known as ‘trace’.
• Triplet – A partially man-made stone, triplets are a paper-thin slice of opal with a dark backing, and quartz crystal capping to magnify the colour. The stone is made to imitate the much rarer and valuable black opals. Learn more about triplets.
• White opal – opal with a white or light body tone, normally found in South Australia. Learn more about white opals.
• Windlass – a winch used to haul opal dirt up out of the mine. These days, most miners use an automatic hoist or blower for this purpose.

Sources :

• “Lightning Ridge, Walgett & District” information leaflet, p. 7.
• “Black Opal: A comprehensive guide to cutting and orientation”, by Greg Pardey, GP Creations, 1999.

Myth: Opals need to be soaked in water occasionally to prevent cracking.

Fact: Australian Opal is non-porous and therefore impervious – it cannot soak up water, oil, or anything else. The water content in an opal is determined during the formation of the stone, with water molecules locked into tiny voids within the opal’s crystalline silicon structure. Soaking your opal in water will do nothing to increase the life of your opal. However, wetting an already cracked stone will temporarily hide the fault, a fact which may have contributed to prolonging this myth. It’s important to note that opals should never be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner, as the extreme vibrations may cause the opal to crack. However, Hyrdrophane Opal (usually sourced from Ethiopa) is now gaining in popularity, but we do not cut or stock it.

Myth: Opals are extremely fragile and will break very easily.

Fact: It’s true that opals are more fragile than most gemstones, however they’re not as fragile as some people imagine. Opals are about the same hardness as glass, so imagine you’re wearing a piece of glass and you’ll get the idea. Avoid heavy manual labour, moving furniture, sport, gardening or any other vigorous activity where your opal might impact with hard surfaces and your opal will enjoy a long and happy life. With a little common sense it’s easy to take care of opals. Boulder opals and opals with a low cabochon are sturdier and less easy to damage.

Myth: Opals need to be rubbed with oil (baby oil or olive oil) or glycerin occasionally to prevent cracking.

Fact: Rubbing your opal with oil will do nothing more than make your opal oily. Australian Opals are non-porous and do not soak up liquids, therefore baby oil will not increase the life of your opal.

Myth: Opals are unstable and prone to cracking.

Fact: Most opals are extremely stable and never crack. Stable opals have a water content of approximately 3 to 10 per cent, and any unstable material will normally crack soon after being mined. By the time the opal travels from the mines, and is processed, cut and polished, any unstable material is usually identified and weeded out.

Myth: Water damages solid opals. Never clean your opal with water or get your opal wet. The opal will expand and crack.

Fact: Solid opals cannot be damaged by getting wet. Most Australian precious opals contain around 5-6% water, and immersing a solid opal in water will do no damage whatsoever. However, doublet and triplet opals (non-solid, partially man-made layered stones) can be damaged by prolonged exposure to water. Water penetration can eventually cause the glue to deteriorate and the layers to separate, causing the opal to take on a foggy, grey, or cloudy appearance. This fact is the origin of the ‘never get your opal wet’ misconception.

Myth: Black opals are completely black. (like onyx)

Fact: If an opal was completely black, it would also be completely worthless. Black opals display a myriad of rainbow colours, and the more colourful the better. ‘Black’ simply refers to the comparatively dark body tone of the stone when compared to the milky body tone of white opals. Top quality black opals can be more valuable per carat than diamonds.

Myth: Strong light can cause an opal to dry out.

Fact: Strong light will only make your opal shine brighter. However, be wary of very hot lights as extreme heat can cause opals to expand and crack.

Myth: Rubbing oil or detergent on your opal will damage or discolour it.

Fact: Oils, detergents and many other common household items will not damage your opal. However, we recommend steering clear of harsh chemicals and cleaning products such as bleach, chlorine, oven cleaner and other strong chemicals. Whilst these may not necessarily damage your stone, it’s best to be on the safe side and treat your opal with respect. It’s important to note also that doublet and triplet opals should never be immersed in any liquid, as prolonged exposure can lead to separation of the stone’s layers.

Myth: Rubbing a stone with glycerin, rubbing it with toothpaste, or soaking it in water will revive a stone’s lustre when it needs polishing, or prevent a stonefrom losing its lustre.

Fact: Wetting a stone will temporarily make it look better, but there’s no other way to restore an old stone’s lustre apart from having it professionally polished. Solid opals may eventually need to be re-polished after a number of years due to tiny scratches on the surface removing the fine polished appearance of the stone. The stone will need to be polished by an experienced opal cutter using professional equipment.

Myth: Taking your opal to high altitudes in a plane will cause it to crack.

High altitudes will not affect your opal. The only major things that can damage your opal are impact, extreme fluctuations in heat (e.g. placing your opal over a flame) or extremely low humidy for long periods. Extreme variations in heat cause the opal to expand and contract, causing cracks or crazing.

Myth: Soaking an opal in rose water will enhance the colour.

Fact: Wetting your opal in any kind of water will make it look better. This is only temporary. The only true way to maximise the colour of a stone is to have it professionally polished. Rose water has no special properties for enhancing opals.

Myth: Opals are bad luck.

Fact: The ‘bad luck’ myth is the result of centuries of misinformation, superstition, wives’ tales, and jealous diamond traders spreading rumours. Opal has also been considered a good luck talisman and lucky charm throughout the ages, and has been prized by many civilisations. Find out more about the ‘bad luck’ opal myth.

Myth: Triplet opals are opals with three colours.

The name ‘triplet’ refers to the number of layers in the stone, not the number of colours. Triplets consist of a thin slice of opal glued to a black backing, which is designed to imitate black opals. The triplets have a third layer of crystal, glass, or quartz capping to round off the stone and give it a cabochon. ‘Doublets’, on the other hand, consist of two layers – a thin layer of opal and a black backing, with no capping. Read more about doublets and triplets.

Myth: The light causing the opal’s colours comes from within the stone.

Fact: Opal’s colours are caused by the reflection and diffraction of white light which enters the top of the stone. The light bounces around inside the tiny microscopic silica spheres within the stone, causing the diffraction of light and the ‘prism’ or rainbow effect which we all know and love. Learn more about opal’s colours.

Myth: Warming an opal in your hand will enhance its brightness.

Fact: The heat of an opal has no effect on its display of colour.

Myth: Putting your opal out in a lightning storm will improve the colour.

Fact: Considering the personal danger associated with this, it’s not a very good idea. Lightning has nothing to do with opal colours. This perception may come from the ancient Arabian belief that opals were cast down in lightning storms.

If there are any other myths you can think of, or something you’ve heard about which you’re not sure is true, please don’t hesitate to email us and we’ll investigate it and include it in this list!

Frequently Asked Questions: What is a Doublet Opal? What is a Triplet Opal? What is the difference between Doublets, Triplets and Solid Opals? What happens when Doublets or Triplets get wet? Why do some opals go cloudy? How should I care for a Doublet or Triplet?

Terminologies you should familiarise yourself with when it comes to the world of opal are that of Doublet Opal and Triplet Opal – or Doublets and Triplets.  These are partially fabricated gems that consist of a thin slice of light opal, adhered to a darker backing, designed to imitate the appearance of a solid Black Opal.  The darker backing glued under the light opal sliver causes the colour to become much darker, more vibrant and intense.  You will find that Doublet Opal and Triplet Opal are generally less expensive than solid Black Opals as they only consist of a small amount of genuine solid opal.

Doublets

Doublet Opals (or Doublets) consist of a two layers adhered together by jeweller’s adhesive:

1. A thin slice of light opal (so, Crystal or White Opal). The thickness of the opal in a Doublet can vary, however it is most often thicker than the sliver of opal used in the construction of a Triplet Opal.  The edges of the opal sliver in a Doublet are generally rounded off (if the opal layer is thick enough), to vie the stone a cabochon (domed top).
2. A dark backing which consists of either Black Industrial Glass (not commonly used), Black ‘Potch’ (common or colourless opal), or most commonly, brown ironstone (the host rock of natural Boulder Opal).

You can usually identify a Doublet by inspecting it from the side (that is if the Doublet is unset, or in a setting that allows unobstructed viewing from a side angle). If the opal is indeed a Doublet, you should be able to see where the opal layer and the dark backing are adhered together – you will notice a perfectly straight line between the two layers.  If a Doublet is set into jewellery with the sides covered, it can be extremely difficult, even for an expert, to tell whether it is a Doublet or a Solid Australian Opal, but a tell-tale sign would be a flat cabochon.  Since the top of the stone consists of pure opal (and therefore appearing exactly like a Black Opal or Boulder Opal), Doublets can have a much more natural appearance compared to Triplet Opal.

Triplets

Triplets, or Triplet Opal consist of three layers:

1. A paper-thin (approximately 3mm) slice of light opal in the middle.
2. A black backing, generally Vitrolite (Blackened Industrial Glass) or, in the case of older Triplets, Black ‘Potch’ (colourless or common opal)
3. A clear glass, quartz or resin capping in the shape of a medium cabochon (dome). Due to the sliver/slice of light opal that is used in a Triplet being extremely thin, the clear capping serves to provide the stone with protective cabochon, but also may magnify the colour of the opal slightly.

You can identify a Triplet Opal due to the clear non-opal capping that is the top layer – an experienced opal valuer/cutter/collector should be able to verify a Triplet immediately by its appearance.  Triplets will have a ‘glassy’ appearance and light will reflect differently from the top of the ‘stone’. By viewing the Triplet from the side, you will be able to witness the straight line where the three layers meet, but also look at the (suspected) Triplet from the back. If the back of the opal appears to be black plastic-like, then you are not looking at a solid stone.  If the Triplet is completely surrounded by metal, viewing from the side will show the clear capping, which you should be able to see through (somewhat).  Also note, as mentioned earlier, older Triplets could utilise Black ‘Potch’ as the backing, which can be deceiving.

Triplets will be generally cheaper than Doublets due to less per opal being used. Because the top of the stone can be made from synthetic material, Triplets can be a lot more resistant to impact than a solid Australian Opal or Doublet (with Australian Opal, by its nature, being a softer gem).

Caring for Doublets and Triplets

Due to Doublets and Triplets consisting of multiple layers adhered together, prolonged exposure to and/or immersion in water could cause lifting between the layers and infiltration of moisture.  This does not mean that your Doublet or Triplet will be ruined if it is worn in the shower once, or caught in the rain with it on, however.  If water penetration occurs, a Triplet Opal will start to take on a foggy or ‘cloudy’ appearance, and you may even notice condensation within the stone.  In the case of a Doublet Opal being water-affected, you will begin to notice the areas where the adhesive has been damaged by moisture will begin to lift and the opal layer will begin to peel away.  It is highly advised that you should avoid getting a Triplet or Doublet Opal wet to avoid any water penetration.  This also goes for Inlaid Opal (Opal inlay jewellery, such as rings or earrings, where there are slices of opal glued into the setting).

Do please note: We acknowledge there can be a lot of confusion regarding the care of opals due to the different care instructions for solid Australian Opals, as opposed to Doublets and Triplets. Solid Australian Opals are completely fine in water. It is only Doublets and Triplets which need to be kept out of water to avoid moisture penetration. Getting a solid Australian Opal wet will do no damage whatsoever.

Cleaning: Doublets and Triplets may be wiped with a damp soft cloth and mild detergent, but should never be soaked or immersed. Avoid bleach, chemicals, cleaners and Ultrasonic cleaners.

Summary

Doublets and Triplets can be a fantastic alternative to solid Australian Opal, given they are far less expensive than solid Black Opals. Given that solid Black Opals with the same appearance as a Triplet or Doublet can be ten times the price (due to their rarity and appeal), Triplets and Doublets serve a useful purpose in making stunningly beautiful dark opals more affordable. We do advise that you be made aware of what you are purchasing, and know how to correctly care for Doublets and Triplets to best maintain their longevity.

Shop our range of Unset Boulder Opals

FAQ: What is a boulder opal? What colour are boulder opals? Where are boulder opals mined? What is the value of a boulder opal?

Appearance

Australian Boulder opals are the second most valuable type of opal (following black opal). Boulder opals are easily distinguished by their layer of solid brown ironstone left on the back of the stone. Boulder opals, as the name suggests, are mined from large ironstone boulders under the ground. Thin veins of colourful opal forms in cracks and fissures in these boulders. Because these veins of colour are so thin, opal cutters need to leave the ironstone on the back of the opal to form a full sized stone. The thin layer of opal in boulder opals can display any colour of the spectrum in a beautiful play of colour.

Although the ironstone layer providing the backing to boulder opals may appear similar to doublets upon first inspection, the formation is completely natural. The following photographs show a boulder opal from the front, back, and side:

Due to the dark backing provided by the ironstone, boulder opals generally have a dark body tone which leads to a vibrancy of colour similar to that found in black opals. Sometimes the ironstone is visible on the surface of the stone, which leads to a spotted or motley appearance, and thus reduces the value of the stone. A ‘clean faced’ boulder opal, in which a whole bar of colour is visible on the surface of the stone, is much more desirable and valuable than a surface displaying ironstone spots.

The thinness of the bar of colour in boulder opals means that a high cabochoned surface is extremely rare. Boulder opals usually have a flat surface or an undulating surface. Boulder opals are almost always cut in a freeform shape for this reason, to maximise the size of the stone.

Examples of Boulder Opal

Value

Valuing boulder opal per carat is not generally accepted in the industry due to the large component of ironstone present in the stone. However, to give a rough indication, top quality boulder opal may fetch prices of up to AUD $3,500 per carat for a gem quality stone. A clean faced stone with no ironstone spots is generally more valuable than a spotted stone. Read more about valuation of opals.

Origin

Boulder opals are found only in the state of Queensland, Australia. Major opal fields in this area include Quilpie and Winton. Find out more about these places in our article about the Australian opal fields.

View our full current stock of Australian boulder opals

Shop our range of Unset White & Crystal Opals

FAQ: What is a white opal? What colour are white opals? Where are white opals mined? What is the value of a white opal?

Appearance

Also known as ‘milk’ or ‘milky’ opals, Australian white opals are distinguished by their pale white or light body tone, indicated in the below chart under “light opal”. As with any kind of opal, white opals can display any colour of the spectrum in a beautiful play of colour.

White opals are much more plentiful and common than other kinds of opal like black opal and boulder opal. Often white opals will have white potch (colourless opal) left on the back of the stone, however sometimes the entire stone will consist of colourful opal.

Because of their pale body tone, white opals generally have less vibrant colour than boulder opals and black opals. They do not have the advantage of having a dark or black background which enhances the stone and makes the opal colour stand out.

Examples of White Opal

Value

By comparison, white opals are the least valuable form of opal. This is partially due to the fact that they are the most common form of opal, but also due to the lack of darkness in the stone which leads to the more vibrant colour in boulder opals and black opals. Opals with a very white body tone also tend to have very pale colour. However, good quality white opal can be incredibly beautiful, and may fetch prices up to AUD $200 per carat. There are many factors including brightness and pattern which determine the overal value of opal. Read more in our article on the value of opal.

A Word on Crystal Opal

Crystal opal refers to any kind of opal which is partially or fully transparent or translucent. However, there is a fine line between white opal and crystal opal. Sometimes there is only a mild or medium translucence which may lead to the opal being classified as either a white opal or a crystal opal, or even a “white crystal opal”. Even some of the photos in the above examples are partially translucent and could be classified as white crystal opals.

When a white opal is partially translucent, it often enhances the clarity and vibrancy of the colour, and thus the value of the stone. Therefore a white opal which has some of the properties of a crystal opal will often have a higher value. More information about crystal opals is available in our crystal opal article.

Origin

White opals are found in South Australia in the major opal fields of Coober Pedy, Andamooka, and Mintabie. Find out more about these places in our article on the Australian opal fields.

View our full current stock of Australian white opals

FAQ: What is a crystal opal? What colour are crystal opals? Where are crystal opals mined? What is the value of a crystal opal?

Appearance

The term “crystal opal” refers to any kind of opal (i.e. black opal, white opal, semi-black opal) which has a transparent, translucent, or semi-translucent body. This is also referred to as the “diaphaneity” of a stone. If light is able to pass through the stone, or you can see through an opal, then you are probably looking at a crystal opal. Crystal opals can display any colour of the spectrum in a beautiful play of colour.

However, boulder opals which have a layer of translucent opal are not referred to as crystal opals because of their opaque ironstone backing.

The translucence of a crystal opal often gives it a greater clarity and vibrancy of colour than opaque stones. Pale coloured crystal opals (white crystal opals) are generally more valuable than opaque white opals, and ‘black crystal opals’ can often have more beautiful colour than opaque black opals.

Crystal opals are generally cut in a standard oval shape if possible, however if the nature of the stone dictates, sometimes a freeform or teardrop shape is cut in order to maximise the size and carat weight of the stone. Crystal opals are also cut with a high cabochon if possible as it enhances the appearance of the colour.

Examples of Crystal Opal

Value

Top quality crystal opal may fetch prices of up to AUD $2,500 per carat for a gem quality stone. The clarity and transparency of a crystal opal often enhances the appearance of the colour and therefore gives the stone a higher value than a standard opaque stone. Read more about valuation of opals.

Origin

Crystal opals are mined in South Australia and New South Wales, in the same places where black opals and white opals are found. White Cliffs in New South Wales is well known for yielding good quantities of crystal opal. Find out more about these places in our article on the Australian opal fields.

View our full current stock of Australian crystal opals

Embarking on a journey through the captivating world of gemstones, we delve into the exquisite allure of semi-black opals. These remarkable gems, also known as dark opals, hold a place of high regard among the treasures of the Earth. With a play-of-colour that seems to hold the secrets of the universe, semi-black opals have captured the fascination of gem enthusiasts worldwide.

The Elegance of Semi-Black Opals

Semi-black opals are a subset of opals that possess a distinctive depth and richness in their colour spectrum. While not completely black, their body colour ranges from dark grey to charcoal, creating a canvas that intensifies the mesmerising play-of-colour that opals are renowned for. The contrast between the dark background and the vibrant flashes of colour within semi-black opals gives them a unique and enchanting allure.

Discovering the Play-of-Color

At the heart of the allure of semi-black opals lies their remarkable play-of-colour. This phenomenon is a result of the interaction of light with the silica spheres present in the gemstone’s structure. As light passes through these spheres, it diffracts into a spectrum of colours, creating a dance of hues that shifts with every movement. The deep, dark background of semi-black opals serves as a dramatic backdrop to this captivating interplay of colours, enhancing their visual impact.

Origins and Rarity

Semi-black opals are predominantly found in the Lightning Ridge region of New South Wales, Australia. This region is celebrated for producing some of the most exquisite and valuable opals in the world. The rarity of semi-black opals is attributed to the unique geological conditions that led to their formation. The combination of precious opal and the dark body colour is a rarity, making semi-black opals highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs.

The Craftsmanship of Semi-Black Opals

These gems are often cut and polished into various shapes to accentuate their play-of-colour and maximise their visual appeal. From cabochons to intricate faceted cuts, artisans use their expertise to showcase the unique beauty of each semi-black opal. Jewellery designers and collectors alike treasure these gems for their ability to transform into captivating centrepieces that radiate a mystique all their own.

Appreciating Semi-Black Opals: A Unique Gem Experience

Appreciating the allure of semi-black opals is an experience like no other. Their dark, mysterious background contrasts with the vibrant colours that burst forth, creating a visual spectacle that captures the imagination. Whether set in elegant jewellery pieces or displayed as collectible specimens, semi-black opals remain a testament to the natural beauty and wonder that the Earth holds within its depths.

In the realm of gemstones, semi-black opals stand as a testament to the Earth’s artistic prowess, delivering a symphony of colour and contrast that leaves a lasting impression. Their rarity, beauty, and captivating play-of-colour make semi-black opals a prized treasure that continues to dazzle and inspire.

Examples of Semi-Black Opal

Current black opal stock

Here’s a sample of the latest black opals currently available in our Australian opal catalogue:

Shop our range of Black Opals

FAQ: What is a black opal? What colour are black opals? Where are black opals mined? What makes a black opal black? What is a semi-black opal? How are black opals valued? How much is a black opal worth?

Appearance

Australian black opals are the most valuable and widely known type of opal. Black opal is characterised by a dark body tone which can range from dark grey to jet black. (See the following chart). However this refers only to the general body tone of the stone, and is not related to the rainbow or spectral colours present in the opal. Some people expect a black opal to be completely black (in which case it would be completely worthless).

Unlike ordinary opals, black opals have carbon and iron oxide trace elements present, which cause the unusual darkness of the stone. Because of their dark body tone, the rainbow colours in a black opal stand out much better than lighter opals.

This vibrancy of colour makes black opal the most valuable form of all opals. Often a black opal will have a natural layer of potch (colourless opal) left on the back of the stone, which can give the stone an extra darkness and vibrancy of colour. The darker this potch backing is, the darker the body tone, which usually makes for greater vibrancy of colour and a higher value black opal. This is the principle upon which doublets and triplets are based, which are an imitation of solid black opals.

Black opals are generally cut into an oval shape, however this depends on the natural shape of the stone. Sometimes black opals are cut into freeform or teardrop shapes in order to maximise the size and carat weight of the stone. Black opals are normally cut with a low cabochon, due to the opal colour bar often being much thinner in black opal than in white or crystal opals. If the colour bar in an opal is thin, it is impossible to create a domed surface.

Examples of Black Opal

Value

By comparison, black opals are the most valuable form of opal – due to their dark body tone and the resulting vibrant play of colour. Top of the range gem quality black opal can fetch prices up to AUD $15,000 per carat. However, just because an opal is black doesn’t make it valuable. There are many factors including brightness and pattern which determine the overal value of opal. Read more in our article on the value of opal.

Origin

Black opals are mostly mined in Lightning Ridge, in northern New South Wales. Lightning Ridge is famous for the black opal and hundreds of millions of dollars worth of black opals have been found there. In 2008, the black opal was named as the ‘gemstone emblem’ for New South Wales. Black opals have also been found at Mintabie in South Australia.

View our full current stock of Australian black opals

What is opal? Where does opal form? What causes the colours in opal? What is potch? How does opal form?

Opal, a precious gemstone of exceptional allure, holds a prominent place in the world of minerals. But what exactly is opal, and where does it originate? Found predominantly in Australia, opal proudly stands alongside diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and pearls as one of the six globally recognized precious gemstones. Australia takes the lead, contributing over 90% of the world’s precious opal supply and proudly designating opal as its national gemstone.

Varieties of Opals: What Sets Them Apart?

Delving deeper into opals, you’ll discover a world of variety. Precious opal and common opal, or potch, are two main categories. But what distinguishes these opal varieties? Precious opals are renowned for their captivating play-of-colour, a rarity that enchants onlookers. In contrast, common opal lacks this play-of-colour and appears less vibrant. Commonly known as potch, it is abundant worldwide. When precious opal intertwines with common opal, it takes on the name potch. Astoundingly, around 95% of mined opals belong to the common or potch category, reflecting a single hue such as white, grey, or black – primarily used as backing for doublets or triplets. Merely about 5% showcase colours, with only 0.25% boasting substantial value.

The Science Behind Opal’s Magic: How Does It Work?

The scientific makeup of opal, referred to as SiO2·nH2O, unveils the secrets behind its enchanting play-of-colour. Comprising hydrated silicon dioxide, a fusion of silica and water, opal’s appearance spans from colourless to dark grey and black. Yet, opal’s true enchantment arises from its play-of-colour, a dance of light within minuscule silica spheres embedded within the opal’s structure. This intricate interplay gives rise to a breathtaking kaleidoscope of rainbow hues, transforming as you change your viewing angle.

Decoding Opal’s Nature: What Defines It?

Opal, a crystalline gem mineral, takes form through the solidification of gelatinous or liquid silica within cracks and voids, often created by decaying organic matter, wood, crustaceans, and bones. Its highest value resides in its “black” forms, embodying a significant water content. Represented by SiO2 plus H2O, opals can encompass up to 10% water content, boasting a refractive index that ranges from 1.38 to 1.60. On the Mohs’ scale, opals register a hardness of 5.5 to 6.5.

The Saga of Precious Opal: How Does It Emerge?

“Precious opal” signifies opaline silica displaying an enchanting play-of-colour. Australian opals, often termed “sedimentary opal,” primarily reside within sedimentary rocks of the Mesozoic Great Artesian Basin. Typically containing 5-6% water, these opals are composed of tiny, well-ordered silica spheres. Their hardness, ranging from 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs’ scale, aligns closely with that of glass.

The Birth of Opal: How Does It Form?

Opal’s formation is a captivating journey, beginning with the fusion of silicon dioxide and water. As water infiltrates sandstone, it collects minuscule silica particles. Millions of years ago, this solution seeped into crevices in both sedimentary and volcanic regions across inland Australia. Over millennia, deposition sculpted the opal’s destiny – approximately a centimetre every five million years at a depth of forty metres. Over 1 to 2 million years, solidification ensued, intertwined with shifting climates. The opal’s narrative spans soft phases before eventual solidification.

Opal’s Chromatic Symphony: What Creates Its Colours?

As the solution infused with silica deposited and water content lessened, silica particles clustered to form spheres within the gel. These spheres fused, crafting structures of amorphous silica ranging from 1500 to 3500 angstroms. Like marbles nestled together, they left delicate voids. This meticulous arrangement turned opal into an optical diffraction grating, refracting visible light into its full spectrum of colours. Sphere size dictated the emitted hue, with larger spheres yielding red or orange, and smaller ones radiating blue.

Valuing Opal: How Is Its Worth Determined?

The value of each opal is a masterpiece woven from its distinct traits: body tone, play-of-colour, brilliance, pattern, type and size. Amid the opal expanse, individuality reigns supreme, with each gem reflecting a unique symphony of traits that defines its worth.

Embark on an opal odyssey, where nature’s marvels intertwine with scientific wonders, beckoning you to unravel the captivating beauty of these gemstones.

Click here to download the pdf of the Opal Body Tone and Patterns Chart (courtesy of Opal Association – www.opal.asn.au)

Sources : 

• “Opal in South Australia”, Mines & Energy Resources, SA
• “Opal”, Qld Dept. of Mines & Energy
• “Black Opal: A comprehensive guide to cutting and orientation”, by Greg Pardey, GP Creations, 1999.
• “Opals”, by Fred Ward, Gem Book Publishers, 1997.

FAQ :  What are the different types of opals? What is Black Opal? What is Crystal Opal? What is Boulder Opal? What is White Opal? What is the difference between the types of opals? What are the different types of opal? What is a doublet? What is a triplet? ‘What is synthetic opal? What is imitation opal?

Black Opal – Black opal is characterised by a dark body tone causing brightness of colour which is unmatched by lighter opals. Black Opals are usually mined in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, and are the most famous, and sought-after type of opal. The term ‘black opal’ does not mean that the stone is completely black (a common mistake), it simply means the stone has a dark body tone in comparison to a white opal. Learn more about black opals.

White Opal – Also known as ‘milky opal’, white opal features light white body tones, and is mined in South Australia. White opal is more common and because of its body tone, generally does not show the colour as well as black opal. Nevertheless, white opals can still be absolutely magnificent in colour if a good quality stone is found. Learn more about white opals.

Boulder Opal – Boulder opal forms on ironstone boulders in Queensland. This type of opal is often cut with the ironstone left on the back, as the opal seam is usually quite thin. Leaving the ironstone on the back means that boulder opal can be very dark and beautiful in colour. The opal forms within the cavities of the boulders in both vertical and horizontal cracks. Boulders vary in shape and size, from as small as a pea, to as big as a family car. Boulder Opal has a tendency to cleave; when cleaved the “split” leaves two faces of opal, with a naturally polished face. Learn more about boulder opals.

Crystal Opal – Crystal opal is any of the above kind of opal which has a transparent or semi-transparent body tone – i.e. you can see through the stone. Crystal opal can have a dark or light body tone, leading to the terms “black crystal opal” and “white crystal opal”.   Learn more about crystal opals.

‘Fire Opal’ – Many people ask us about ‘fire opal’ so I thought I’d include this one. Fire opal is a term not commonly used within Australia but is quite common amongst Americans. Technically, the main type of opal known as ‘fire opal’ is Mexican Fire Opal, mined in Mexico, which usually has a distinct orange colouring. However, the term has been used to describe any Australian kinds of opal (normally a black opal shows it best) which displays a significant amount of red colouring. Red of course is the rarest colour, so these are quite valuable.  Recent discoveries in Western Australia have unearthed an Australian form of ‘Fire Opal’ – an exothermic type of opal.

Matrix opal – Matrix opal is where the opal occurs as a network of veins or infilling of voids or between grains of the host rock (ferruginous sandstone or ironstone). Matrix comprises precious opaline silica as an infilling of pore spaces in silty claystone or ironstone. It generally shows fine pinfire colour in the natural state.

Andamooka matrix opal may be enhanced by soaking the specimen in a sugar solution and then boiling in acid to deposit carbon in the available pore spaces, resulting in a dark background.

Natural oulder opal matrix is another kind of matrix opal, found at Yowah in Queensland, which in its natural state consists of brown ironstone with small deposits of opal interspersed. This kind of opal is not treated.

Yowah nuts – Found in the far South Western mines at Yowah in Queensland, Yowah nuts are ironstone concretions resembling ‘nuts’ which contain precious opal in their centre. Upon cracking or slicing the Yowah nut, the precious opal is revealed.

Welo Opal – an Ethiopian form of opal, which can produce rich colour. This material is known as hydrophane opal, as it is a porous gem, which can absorb moisture (over several hours) and cause the Welo Opal to change appearance.  ‘Dewatering’ of the opal can take anywhere between a few days to a few weeks to occur. Ethiopian Opals can have durability issues due its hydrophane property (the absorbtion of water can possibly cause cracking). Only a fairly recent discovery (2008).

Synthetic or Man-made Stones

Synthetic opal – Opaline silica produced in the laboratory and having a similar structure to that of precious opal. The most well-known form of synthetic opal is Gilson Opal, and you can learn more about identifying this type of opal in our synthetic opal article.

The following differences can be seen between natural and synthetic opal;

• Synthetic opals generally show brighter colours, and colour patches are often larger than in natural opals.
• Colour grain boundaries are generally highly irregular in synthetic opal.
• Within each colour grain in synthetic opal there are numerous sub-grains that produce a distinctive snakeskin pattern.
• Synthetic material generally shows a more ordered array of colours since artificial material does not duplicate the intricate pattern of natural opal.

Imitation opal   – A material such as coloured tinsel set in clear plastic or epoxy resin. (These imitations are virtually worthless and not very convincing to a trained eye).

Doublets & Triplets – Doublets and triplets are partially man-made stones, consisting of only a paper-thin slice of opal cemented to a black backing. Triplets have, in addition to this, a clear quartz or glass capping over the top to magnify the colour, protect the stone, and give it a cabochon (domed) appearance. The idea of doublets and triplets is to imitate valuable black opals at a fraction of the cost.

The following diagrams demonstrate the differences between doublets, triplets, and solid opals;

Solid (cabochon) – Most cutters prefer to produce the opal as a solid cut    ‘en cabochon’ if the gem is sufficiently thick. The opal is left in its natural state and simply shaped and polished on the cutter’s wheel.

Doublet – A thin veneer of opal may show enhanced colour with a dark backing of either black or grey silica material, or a thin slice of common opal cemented to the back of the opal with epoxy resin.

Triplet – A slice of quartz may be used to cap the thin opal veneer to protect it from abrasion. This produces a three-tiered gemstone known as a triplet, which can often display brilliant colours. It is a cheaper method of presentation and can enhance the appearance of the opal.

Doublets and triplets are a good affordable substitute for solid black opals, however their disadvantage is their susceptibility to water penetration. Due to the fact that the layers are attached with glue, a doublet or triplet may become water-logged if immersed in water repeatedly. If this happens, the stone will take on a ‘foggy’ appearance.

Sources:

• “Opal in South Australia”, Mines & Energy Resources, SA
• “Opal”, Qld Dept. of Mines & Energy
• Queensland Boulder Opal Association
• Geology.com