Australian Opal Earrings

The Australian Opal Earrings Guide

Our family has worked with Australian opal since 1969, and we've sold opal earrings at our retail store, The Opal Centre, for over 40 years, so we know the best pair offers more than beautiful colour. It should suit your style, feel comfortable to wear and be honestly described. This guide shares the advice we give our customers every day, so you can compare opal types, colours, styles, metals and prices, and find a pair you'll love wearing (or love giving).

Opal Earrings At A Glance

Opal Types	Black, crystal, white, boulder, doublet, triplet
Origins	Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, Queensland
Metals	Sterling silver, gold plated silver, 9ct to 18ct gold
Styles	Studs, drops and statement earrings
Price Range	$115 to $12,500 AUD
Included	Certificate of Authenticity
Shipping	Free, tracked and insured worldwide
Returns	30-day change of mind on eligible items

How To Choose Genuine Opal Earrings

These tips will help you narrow down the right pair of opal earrings, whether choosing for yourself or buying as a gift.

Know your opal types: Solid opals are cut from one piece of natural opal. Doublets and triplets pair a layer of genuine opal with a dark backing, and triplets add a clear cap. Find out more about Australian opal types.

Consider body tones: Body tone is an opal's background colour, and it shapes how the play-of-colour looks. Black opal has a dark body tone for bold, high-contrast colour. White or light opal has a milky body tone with soft pastel colour. Crystal opal is transparent to semi-transparent, so its colour seems to glow from within.

Choose colours you'll love wearing: Australian opal can show every colour of the rainbow. Think about which ones suit your hair colour, wardrobe and the jewellery you already own. If blue is your favourite colour, browse our blue opal earrings.

Watch the opal move: Photos show colour from a single angle, but video gives a better sense of how an opal's colour and patterns change as it moves. We're happy to send a video of any pair before you buy. 

Think about comfort: Small studs and lightweight drops are easy to wear all day, while larger statement earrings are better for special occasions. If weight matters, just ask us.

Pick a fastening that suits: Studs sit close to the ear, shepherd hooks allow more movement, and butterfly fastenings provide added security.

Compare the metal: Sterling silver and gold plated silver are affordable choices. Solid gold suits fine jewellery and long-term wear.

Our opal earrings range from easy everyday studs to eye-catching drops and statement designs in sterling silver, gold plated silver and solid gold. Select budget-friendly doublet and triplet earrings, Coober Pedy white and crystal opal studs and drops, or one-of-a-kind Lightning Ridge black opal earrings.

Not sure which pair to choose? Ask our opal specialists for friendly, personalised advice.

Buying Opal Earrings As A Gift

Opal earrings are one of the easiest opal gifts to get right, and make an ideal birthday, Christmas or special occasion present because, unlike rings, there's no sizing to guess. Buying for your mum, partner or a special friend and not sure where to start? Here's what we suggest:

• Not sure of her style: Classic round or oval studs are a safe bet as they suit almost everyone and go with everything.
• For regular wear: Choose compact studs or a light, secure drop design.
• For an October birthday: Opal is an October birthstone, alongside tourmaline. Shop opal birthstone jewellery.
• For an Australian keepsake: Choose genuine Australian opal with clearly documented origin.
• For a milestone gift: Look for one-of-a-kind solid Australian opals set in gold.
• For added sparkle: Consider opal and diamond earrings for a touch of extra bling.

If your gift isn't quite right, our 30-day change-of-mind policy covers eligible, unworn earrings returned in their original packaging. Conditions apply. See our returns policy.

Should You Buy Opal Studs Or Drops?

Stud earrings are easy to wear, versatile and comfortable. Drop, or dangle, earrings sway gently and show more changing colour as they catch the light. Both can be worn every day, depending on their size and fastening.

Please remember, product photographs are usually enlarged to show each opal's pattern and play-of-colour, so always check the listed measurements.

Which Metal Is Best?

Sterling silver is our most popular choice and suits every opal colour, while gold plated silver gives the look of yellow gold for less. Solid yellow or white gold is the pick for fine opal jewellery, milestone gifts and higher-value opals.

Compare designs in our curated gold opal earrings, silver opal earrings and gold plated silver opal earrings collections for your preferred metal and budget.

Solid Opal, Doublet Or Triplet Earrings?

Choose solid opal for a stone that's entirely natural, or doublets and triplets for vivid genuine opal colour without breaking the bank. Earrings take fewer knocks than rings, so all three types are practical with sensible care. Always check product descriptions so you're aware of the opal type you're buying.

How Much Should I Pay For Opal Earrings?

The price of opal earrings comes down to the quality, size and rarity of the opal stones, how well the two opals match, and the metal and craftsmanship of the setting. The opals need to suit each other in size, shape, colour and brightness.

As a guide, solid white and crystal opal earrings start at around AUD $119, triplet opal studs from AUD $115, and Lightning Ridge solid black opal earrings in gold from AUD $2,550.

Price depends on:

• The type of opal: Solid opals are generally worth more than comparably sized doublets or triplets.
• Body tone and rarity: Fine Australian black opal is generally more valuable than white or crystal opal.
• Brightness: Clear, vivid play-of-colour is valued more highly than paler colour.
• Colour and pattern: Rare colours such as red-on-black and distinctive patterns like 'Harlequin' may increase value. Learn what causes opal's play-of-colour.
• Matching: A well-matched pair is harder to put together than a single stone.
• Size: Cut opal stones are priced by carat weight, but size alone doesn't set value.
• Setting: Solid gold, diamonds and detailed workmanship add to the finished jewellery's price.

As a family opal business, we source opal directly from Australian miners and cutters, and partner with trusted jewellers we've worked with for years. Those long-standing relationships help us keep our prices fair. Every listing clearly states the opal type, origin and measurements, so you know exactly what you're paying for. Find out more about the value of Australian opal.

How To Buy Opal Earrings Online

A trustworthy listing should tell you exactly what you are buying. Before you buy, check:

• Authenticity: Confirm that the stones are genuine natural Australian opal, not synthetic opal or imitation.
• Opal type: Solid, doublet or triplet opal is clearly stated.
• Measurements: Dimensions are listed, since photos are enlarged.
• Images and video: You can see the opal earrings from more than one angle.
• Documentation: A Certificate of Authenticity is included.
• Delivery: Shipping is tracked and insured.

It's always worth checking the seller's reviews, website and social media. And be wary of opal earrings that seem too cheap to be true, or that come with a string of stacked discounts. Learn more about how to avoid scams when buying online.

Opal Earrings FAQs

Where can I buy Australian opal earrings?

You can shop our main collection of opal jewellery, including earrings, online at Black Star Opal or visit our retail store, The Opal Centre, in Coffs Harbour. We offer genuine Australian opal earrings in sterling silver, gold plated silver and solid gold.

Are Black Star Opal earrings made with genuine opal?

Yes. Every pair contains genuine natural Australian opal, each listing clearly states whether the stones are solid, doublet or triplet, and every pair comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. 

What types of earrings do you sell?

We offer opal studs, drops and statement earrings set with black, crystal, white, boulder, doublet and triplet Australian opals. Designs feature sterling silver, gold plated silver and 9ct, 14ct and 18ct gold.

Are opal studs or drop earrings better for everyday wear?

Opal stud earrings are the most compact and practical for daily wear. Lightweight drop earrings can also be worn frequently, while longer designs suit special occasions. 

How can I tell if opal earrings are real?

Buy from a seller that clearly states the opal type and includes a Certificate of Authenticity. Synthetic opal often shows an unnaturally regular pattern, while imitations can look plasticky. Doublets and triplets show visible layers from the side, so check the description or ask the seller.

Can opal earrings get wet?

Solid opal can handle contact with clean water. Doublets and triplets should not be soaked, as long exposure to water can affect the layers. Take all opal earrings off before showering or swimming, and put them on after perfume, hairspray and lotion to keep them looking their best.

Are opal earrings durable?

Opal rates 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, so it's softer than gems like diamond and sapphire. However, earrings are less prone to damaging impacts than rings, making them one of the most practical ways to wear opal. Store them separately so harder gems don't scratch them, and avoid hot temperatures such as spas and saunas.

What's the difference between claw-set and bezel-set earrings?

A bezel setting wraps a rim of metal around the whole edge of the opal. A claw setting holds the opal with small metal claws, leaving more of the stone on show. Bezel settings are protective, hold the stone securely and offer a smooth, modern look that won't catch on hair or clothing. Claw settings show off more of the opal and let more light reach the stone, and give earrings a classic, delicate look.

What's the difference between Australian and Ethiopian opal earrings?

Most Ethiopian opal is hydrophane, meaning it can absorb water and temporarily turn cloudy or lose its colour. Australian opal is generally more stable, which makes it a reliable choice for earrings you'll wear often.

Are opal earrings bad luck?

No. The idea that opal is unlucky is a myth that became popular from Sir Walter Scott's 1829 novel Anne of Geierstein, in which opal plays a part in a character's misfortune. For most of history, opal was seen as a stone of good fortune, and today it's an October birthstone, alongside tourmaline, and Australia's national gemstone. Read more about opal's bad luck myth.

Are opal earrings suitable for sensitive ears?

It depends on the setting metal and the wearer's individual sensitivities. Solid gold is usually a safer choice, but if you need more information about a particular pair before purchasing, contact us and we'll check the pair for you.

How should opal earrings be cleaned?

Wipe the earrings gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry them thoroughly. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam, abrasive products and harsh chemicals. See our opal care guide.

Will I receive the exact pair pictured?

Yes, for one-of-a-kind earrings. Where several pairs of a design are available, natural variations in colour and pattern will occur.

Can I buy Australian opal earrings in the USA?

Yes. Many of our customers are in the USA, and we deliver there daily. Every order ships free, tracked and fully insured from Australia, with standard international delivery in around 8 to 10 business days or express in 5 to 8. Tariffs and customs fees are included on US orders of USD $2,500 and under, so there are no surprise charges when your earrings arrive.

Does Black Star Opal ship internationally?

Yes. We ship daily within Australia and to the USA, Canada, the UK, Europe, New Zealand, Asia and beyond. Standard shipping is free, tracked and insured worldwide, and orders over AUD $1,500 are upgraded to free express delivery. Import duties or taxes outside the USA depend on your country. See our shipping policy.

Why Buy From Black Star Opal?

Black Star Opal is a trusted Australian seller of opal earrings with more than 120 five-star Google reviews. We're a multi-generational family business with roots in the Lightning Ridge opal fields dating back to 1969, and over the decades we've mined, cut, exported and sold Australian opal.

Since 1985, we have welcomed customers to The Opal Centre in Coffs Harbour, and in 2014 we brought that knowledge online so we could help opal lovers everywhere.

That hands-on experience in the Australian opal industry means we know how to choose well-matched opals, whether we're sourcing stones ourselves or working with our network of trusted jewellers. It also means we can describe every piece honestly and price fairly.

If you have a question, or would like additional photographs, videos or help comparing designs, our opal specialists are always happy to help.

About the Author

Olivia Deskoski is a qualified opal specialist, gemmology and diamond technology graduate of the Gemmological Association of Australia, and founder of Black Star Opal. Drawing on decades of gemstone, marketing and e-commerce experience and her family's history in the Australian opal industry, she helps customers understand and confidently purchase genuine Australian opal jewellery. Olivia has been featured in Jeweller Magazine as an industry expert on buying and selling genuine opal online.

Last updated: October 2026