Australian Opal Earrings

The Ultimate 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, since 1985. In that time, we’ve learned that the best pair offers more than beautiful colour: it should suit your style, feel comfortable to wear and be honestly described.

This complete guide to shopping for opal earrings 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	AUD $115 to $12,500
Included	Certificate of Authenticity
Shipping	Free insured, tracked shipping. Free express in Australia. International: free standard under AUD $1,500 (express upgrade AUD $30), free express at AUD $1,500 and over.
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.

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 strong, high-contrast colour. White opal has a milky body tone with softer 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 (or her) hair colour, wardrobe and the jewellery you already own. If blue is a 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.

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 or 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. Unlike rings, there’s no size to guess, so they make an ideal birthday, Christmas or special occasion present. 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.

Which Metal Is Best?

Sterling silver is our customers’ 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?

As a guide, our 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.

The price of opal earrings 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.
• 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 long-established opal business, we source stones directly from local 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.

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 online?

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 opal earrings in sterling silver, gold plated silver and solid gold.

Are your earrings made with genuine opal?

Yes. Every pair contains 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.

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?

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.

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. 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. 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.

Why Buy Opal Earrings from Black Star Opal?

Our opal earrings cover a range of opal types, metals and budgets. Earrings take far fewer knocks than rings, which makes them a good way to start wearing opal.

Black Star Opal is part of a family-owned Australian opal business that began on the Lightning Ridge opal fields in 1969. We’ve sold opal jewellery online since 2014 and in our retail store, The Opal Centre, since 1985. We’re proud to be long-standing members of the Australian opal industry, and of the Australian Opal Association and the Jewellers Association of Australia.

Our opal is responsibly sourced, mined in Australia under some of the world’s most transparent and regulated mining frameworks. We buy directly from Australian miners and suppliers, alongside pieces from trusted jewellers we work with, which is why we can offer fair pricing. We also design handcrafted opal jewellery collections. Every listing clearly states the type of Australian opal, and a Certificate of Authenticity is provided with each order. We also offer 30-day returns on eligible, unworn items (conditions apply).

Not sure what to choose? Our team will help you with any questions you may have.

Delivery Information

Every order is tracked, insured and shipped from Australia with Australia Post.

• Australia: Free express shipping on all orders, arriving in approx. 1–4 business days.
• International: Free standard shipping on orders under AUD $1,500 (approx. 8–10 business days), or express for AUD $30 (approx. 5–8 business days). International orders of AUD $1,500 and over ship free by express.
• USA: Tariffs and customs fees are included on orders of USD $2,500 and under.
• Other countries: Import duties or taxes may apply, depending on your country’s customs rules. International orders don’t include Australian GST.

Delivery times are Australia Post estimates and can be longer during busy gifting periods such as Christmas. For full details, see our shipping and delivery information.

Related Guides

• Types of Australian opal explained
• How to buy real opal jewellery
• Opal, the October birthstone

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