Types of Opal
Black Opal
Does not mean the stone is black in colour it is precious Opal showing a play of spectral colours on a dark body colour which is usually black, blue brown or grey. A very dark background accentuates the flashes of colour. Lightning Ridge is the world's only commercial producer of Black Opal. It is very scarce compared to boulder and white opal and given equal characteristics is more expensive.
Investment Opal
Australian opal can be a good long-term investment,with gem quality opal forecasted to appreciate in value by 10% per year. A top quality black opal can secure a higher price per carat than a good,clear one-carat diamond. In contrast to the diamond industry,there is no monopoly in the world marketing of opal and true market forces of supply and demand determine the price. The Australian fields are slowly running down,so it is logical that values on quality gems will steadily increase year by year. Today,Australian precious opal is the most sought after and the most stable of opals in world markets.
Semi Black/Grey Opal
Is found on the outskirts of Lightning Ridge at the Grawin and Glengarry Opal fields called Mulga Rush and Sheepyards. It is found in seams and in greater quantities than Lightning Ridge black (nobby) opal but usually lower quality.
Boulder Opal
Boulder opal differs from the other types of opal as it forms on ironstone boulders hence why it acquired its name. They are often cut with the ironstone attached which creates a darker body tone and brighter colours. These opals are mined in Queensland and are considered the second most valuable opal to black opal. They are also heavier given the same size of other types of opal.
White Opal
Is the most common opal found and has a light body tone thus does not show the colours it possesses as vibrantly as black and boulder opal. Due to this quality it is the least expensive form of opal. Mainly mined in South Australia,in places such as Coober Pedy,Mintabie and Andamooka.
Crystal Opal
Refers to any kind of opal which is transparent. If light is able to pass through the stone,or you can see through an opal,then you are probably looking at crystal opal. Crystal Opals can display any colour of the spectrum in a beautiful play of colour.
Does not mean the stone is black in colour it is precious Opal showing a play of spectral colours on a dark body colour which is usually black, blue brown or grey. A very dark background accentuates the flashes of colour. Lightning Ridge is the world's only commercial producer of Black Opal. It is very scarce compared to boulder and white opal and given equal characteristics is more expensive.
Investment Opal
Australian opal can be a good long-term investment,with gem quality opal forecasted to appreciate in value by 10% per year. A top quality black opal can secure a higher price per carat than a good,clear one-carat diamond. In contrast to the diamond industry,there is no monopoly in the world marketing of opal and true market forces of supply and demand determine the price. The Australian fields are slowly running down,so it is logical that values on quality gems will steadily increase year by year. Today,Australian precious opal is the most sought after and the most stable of opals in world markets.
Semi Black/Grey Opal
Is found on the outskirts of Lightning Ridge at the Grawin and Glengarry Opal fields called Mulga Rush and Sheepyards. It is found in seams and in greater quantities than Lightning Ridge black (nobby) opal but usually lower quality.
Boulder Opal
Boulder opal differs from the other types of opal as it forms on ironstone boulders hence why it acquired its name. They are often cut with the ironstone attached which creates a darker body tone and brighter colours. These opals are mined in Queensland and are considered the second most valuable opal to black opal. They are also heavier given the same size of other types of opal.
White Opal
Is the most common opal found and has a light body tone thus does not show the colours it possesses as vibrantly as black and boulder opal. Due to this quality it is the least expensive form of opal. Mainly mined in South Australia,in places such as Coober Pedy,Mintabie and Andamooka.
Crystal Opal
Refers to any kind of opal which is transparent. If light is able to pass through the stone,or you can see through an opal,then you are probably looking at crystal opal. Crystal Opals can display any colour of the spectrum in a beautiful play of colour.
