UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF AUSTRALIAN OPALS

White Opals

White opals contain a play of colour that emerges from a milky sandstone background in a dazzling display. They are mainly found in South Australia, comprising 90% of Australia’s opal product. The famous Coober Pedy and Mintabie mines are best known for their high quality white opals.

Boulder Opals

Boulder opals are a rare and beautiful variety,  mainly found in a 300 kilometre wide belt in south-western Queensland. Naturally attached to the host rock in which it was formed, the colour intensity in the boulder opal is without equal. Gaps in ironstone provide the space for this dramatic opal’s formation. It is often favoured by designers for its brilliant colours and free form shape.

 Black Opals

Black opals are the most coveted opal of all. They are sourced from the Lightning Ridge area in northern New South Wales. The Black Opal is nature’s presentation stone. Its dark body provides a perfect background to display a dazzling array of rippling colour changes. Brilliant flashes of vivid colour leap from its black velvet background, making it the rarest and most valuable of opals.

What makes Australian opals unique?

Australian opals are highly sought after for a number of reasons. Various regions of Australia benefit from a unique combination of geological conditions that are ideal for forming opals with a breathtaking play of colour and intricate patterns. These characteristics make Australia a desirable location from which to source a number of different types of opals.

What factors affect an opal’s value?

There are a number of characteristics of an opal that may impact its value. Many of these items relate to the composition of the opal itself, and how it first appears to the eye. Generally speaking, the more vivid the opal appears to the naked eye, the more it will be worth to a collector.

Colour Play

Almost all types of opal stones share one thing in common: the most valuable stones are the ones whose play of colour is the most vibrant and unique. An opal that displays a variety of sharp colours will generally be worth a premium over duller stones.

Pattern

Within the different kinds of opals available, there are a number of patterns that experienced jewellery collectors look for when differentiating between stones. Opals that exhibit a defined pattern, such as a harlequin, pinfire or flagstone, may be worth a premium over a stone with a more abstract play of colour.

Body Tone

The body colour of the opal can also have an effect on its value. As a rule, black opals are considered the most desirable of all. As a result, they tend to be worth a premium over other types of opals, however this will only be true if the stone is of high quality.

Clarity

Much of the desirability of a raw opal or a piece of opal jewellery lies in its sharpness and contrast. In fact, the clarity of the stone is one of the reasons the black opal is the most valuable variant of the stone. Opals that appear cloudy or hazy will likely not be worth as much as one that displays superior contrast.

Which opals are best for jewellery?

Many different kinds of opal can be used to create jewellery, depending on the intended purpose of the piece and the frequency with which it will be worn.

Black opal jewellery makes for the ultimate collector’s piece. It is symbolic of luxury, and is often paired with a setting that allows its natural beauty to shine through. Owing to its rarity and value, black opal jewellery may be best suited to occasional wear or as a gift that shows appreciation and commitment to a loved one.

White opals are a versatile option for jewellery, including necklaces, rings and pendants. These opals have a pastel appearance that pairs well with light gold settings. White opal jewellery pieces represent an excellent gift for the jewellery collector or a loved one to wear on special occasions. A white opal ring may also be the perfect piece of unique jewellery to create an engagement or wedding ring. 

Boulder opals are one of the most popular types of opals for creating jewellery pieces. The boulder opal features a dazzling play of vivid colours that captivates the eye like few other gemstones. When set off against the perfect setting, the boulder opal makes for a beautiful piece of jewellery the wearer will be proud to display on special occasions.

Choosing between the different types of opal stones

Each of the different types of Australian opals have unique characteristics that may inspire a purchaser to choose them. Whether it’s the vividness of the boulder opal, the softness of the white opal or the intense contrast of the black opal, each different variation has something different to offer.

Whether you’re a collector looking for your next piece of jewellery or just shopping for a gift, Volle Jewellery can assist. Our collection includes a number of different types of opal jewellery, including opal rings, loose opals, opal specimens and opal earrings.

Visit our store in Sydney’s CBD to find out more about the different kinds of opal mined in Australia, and the captivating pieces available from our collection.

Visit us in store today to view our range of stunning Pearls, Opals and Pink Diamonds in exquisitely crafted jewellery. Find us here.