Types of Opal
Here at Opalist, we stock only high quality natural Australian Opal. There are several types of opals, with various microstructures found in different regions, and presented in different ways. This guide will help you decide which is the best opal for you.
Solid Black Opal
The rarest of opals, Solid Black Opals are natural stones which have not been altered in any way, save for cutting and polishing.They sit on a natural dark source rock backing of common opal (called potch), which with its dark body colour of black to grey, makes the full colour face really stand out. Solid Black Opal is primarily found in Lightning Ridge, NSW.
Boulder Opal
Australia's first commercial gemstones, Boulder Opals often have an undulating face which lend themselves to beautiful freeform jewellery. Boulder Opal sits on a natural ironstone backing. With Boulder Opals ranging from black to all shades of the rainbow, there's sure to be one out there for you. Boulder Opal comes from Queensland.
Semi-Black Opal
Semi-Black Opals have a diverse range of colours and colour densities. With almost black to light grey source rock backing, stones with many different patterns and colours can be found. Semi-Black Opals are primarily sourced from Lightning Ridge, NSW and Mintabie, SA.
Solid Light Opal
Solid Light Opals (also know as White Opal) are known for their ability to be cut into calibrated sized stones, perfect for jewellery. These opals can be found in bright crystal to milky grey colour saturation. Solid Light Opals are primarily found in Coober Pedy, SA.
Solid Crystal Opal
Unlike the opal microstructures described above, Solid Crystal Opals are known for the clarity of the gem itself. Crystal Opals are translucent when held to the light, often having no potch backing. Colours range from glass-like to black. While Crystal Opal can be found on all Australian fields in some form, the best knows specimens are found in Andamooka, SA.
Solids, Doublets & Triplets
Solids, as the name suggests, are natural stones which have only been cut and polished. Most have natural rock or potch backings.
Doublets are the result of bonding a thin layer of opal to a black backing to enhance the colour of the opal.
Triplets are similar to doublets, using a thin layer of opal, with a clear domed cap made of glass or quartz. The cap protects the opal, and often magnifies the intensity of the pattern and colour.