Opal Stones From Australia

OPAL: DISCOVER YOUR PERFECT STONE

Australian opal is a beautiful, rare and highly prized gemstone that contains all the colours of the rainbow in stunning patterns and shapes. Its appearance changes when it is moved around in the light, uncovering unseen beauty and hidden mysteries. Each of these gemstones is as unique as a snowflake or human fingerprint, with no two found ever the same.

Opal Stone Formation

Opal is a hydrated form of silica, a mineral made of tiny, uniform spheres arranged in a grid-like structure. These spheres diffract light, creating the famous 'play-of-colour' effect seen...

Read More

OPAL: DISCOVER YOUR PERFECT STONE

Australian opal is a beautiful, rare and highly prized gemstone that contains all the colours of the rainbow in stunning patterns and shapes. Its appearance changes when it is moved around in the light, uncovering unseen beauty and hidden mysteries. Each of these gemstones is as unique as a snowflake or human fingerprint, with no two found ever the same.

Opal Stone Formation

Opal is a hydrated form of silica, a mineral made of tiny, uniform spheres arranged in a grid-like structure. These spheres diffract light, creating the famous 'play-of-colour' effect seen in high-quality gems. Unlike other gemstones with a fixed hue, these stones can display multiple colours at once, shifting with movement and light.

Developed over millions of years, these gemstones are created when water carrying dissolved silica seeps into underground rock formations. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind layers of silica, which slowly solidify into the 'Queen of Gems'. This slow, natural process gives each stone its one-of-a-kind appearance.

Meaning and Symbolism

Rich in symbolism, this rainbow-hued treasure has been revered throughout history for its magical appearance and spiritual significance. Known as the October birthstone, its meaning varies between cultures but generally represents inspiration, hope, truth and transformation. 

In ancient Rome, it was considered a symbol of purity and hope. The Greeks believed they gave the gift of prophecy, while Arabic legends claimed they fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning. In modern times, it is associated with emotional healing, intuition and creativity. Many people wear an opal stone as personal talismans, believing they can bring balance, confidence and clarity.

The Rainbow Stone

One of the gem's most well-known and loved attributes is its ‘play-of-colour’. This optical phenomenon occurs when a beautiful movement of colour is seen mostly on the top, or face, of the stone as it is turned in the light. Spectacular, iridescent patterns appear with names like Harlequin, pinfire, rolling flash, flagstone and Chinese writing, among others.

The structure of inner silica spheres affects its colour—larger spheres tend to produce red (the rarest and most valuable colour) or orange, while smaller spheres create blue and green tones. This structure is what also creates play-of-colour. The background or body tone plays a major role in its appearance, including the vividness of it's colour.

Ethical Sourcing and Mining

Australian opals are also seen as the world's best, prized for their vibrant colour, durability and unique patterns. The country’s stable climate and vast sandstone deposits create ideal conditions for the gem's formation, resulting in some of the most breathtaking natural treasures in the world.

When it comes to production, Australia is the undisputed leader. Over 90% of the world’s precious opal stones come from Down Under, making these Australian gems the most sought-after in the global market. Renowned mining regions like Lightning Ridge (home to the famed black opal), Coober Pedy, Andamooka, and Mintabie are legendary among collectors and jewellers alike.

Opal mining in Australia is a vital industry that supports local communities and small-scale miners in remote locations like Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, Andamooka, and Mintabie, which have become synonymous with the gem itself. These rugged outback communities are rich in both character and treasure, built around generations of miners who have dedicated their lives to unearthing these dazzling stones.

Australia is known for ethical mining practices that prioritise environmental sustainability and fair labour. Choosing ethically sourced gems ensures that your purchase supports responsible trade and the preservation of the industry for future generations. Reputable sellers often work directly with Australian miners who can trace the stone's origin back to its source.

Types of Australian Opals

1. Black Opal

Known for its dark body tone and vibrant colours, this type is considered the most valuable in the world. Found mainly in Lightning Ridge, Australia, they can display intense flashes of red, blue, green, and orange.

2. White Opal

The most common type, they feature a pale body tone with softer play-of-colour, and are typically found in South Australia.

3. Boulder Opal

Formed within ironstone rock, this type is known for their durability and dramatic contrast. Their colourful veins appear against the dark brown host rock, making each stone unique.

4. Crystal Opal

Australian crystal varieties are transparent or semi-transparent with vivid colour play. Their clarity enhances the brightness of their colours, making them ideal for jewellery.

5. Common Opal

Also known as 'potch', these rocks lack the play-of-colour that defines precious opal. However, they are still valued for their attractive solid hues, like pink, green, or blue.

Cutting and Polishing

Raw opal—also known as rough—refers to stones that has not yet been cut or polished. Collectors and lapidaries often seek them for their potential to become stunning gemstones. Cutting gems requires skill and precision, as the colour layers can be thin and fragile. The process includes sawing, shaping, sanding and finally polishing to bring out the stone's full beauty.

Gem quality stones are not only shaped into round or oval stones, but in more recent times freeform shaped or carved gems have become exceptionally popular, both for collection pieces and to be set into captivating fine quality gold and silver jewellery. However many gem enthusiasts also collect raw stones for their natural form, appreciating them as geological wonders straight from the earth.

Australian Opals for Sale: What to Look For

When shopping for an opal stone, these factors play the highest important in deciding which gem is for you.

Play-of-colour: Look for stones with strong, multi-directional flashes of colour.

Body tone: Darker tones (black opal) tend to enhance colour contrast.

Clarity: Fewer inclusions or cracks result in higher value.

Shape and cut: Oval cuts are most popular, but free-form shapes are also desirable.

Origin: Authentic, high end Australian gems often comes with a certificate stating the field location the stone was sourced from e.g. Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy

WHY SHOP WITH BLACK STAR OPAL?

As your go-to online boutique for Australian opal stones and jewellery. We offer a wide range of beautiful gemstones in different colours and patterns, sourced straight from our famous outback mining fields. Whether you're shopping for a specific stone or a gift, we have something for every style and budget. Our helpful team is always ready to assist with any order—big or small.

We’re a family-owned business with strong ties to the opal industry since 1969. We began as Lightning Ridge miners and exporters, and today we also run The Opal Centre at the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour. We work closely with local miners in Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy and Queensland, and team up with skilled jewellers to bring you high-quality opal pieces at fair prices.

Every order comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can shop with peace of mind. If you're not completely happy with your purchase or want to exchange it, we’re here to help. As our reviews attest to, we just love helping people discover their perfect gem!

Read Less

OPAL: DISCOVER YOUR PERFECT STONE

Australian opal is a beautiful, rare and highly prized gemstone that contains all the colours of the rainbow in stunning patterns and shapes. Its appearance changes when it is moved around in the light, uncovering unseen beauty and hidden mysteries. Each of these gemstones is as unique as a snowflake or human fingerprint, with no two found ever the same.

Opal Stone Formation

Opal is a hydrated form of silica, a mineral made of tiny, uniform spheres arranged in a grid-like structure. These spheres diffract light, creating the famous 'play-of-colour' effect seen in high-quality gems. Unlike other gemstones with a fixed hue, these stones can display multiple colours at once, shifting with movement and light.

Developed over millions of years, these gemstones are created when water carrying dissolved silica seeps into underground rock formations. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind layers of silica, which slowly solidify into the 'Queen of Gems'. This slow, natural process gives each stone its one-of-a-kind appearance.

Meaning and Symbolism

Rich in symbolism, this rainbow-hued treasure has been revered throughout history for its magical appearance and spiritual significance. Known as the October birthstone, its meaning varies between cultures but generally represents inspiration, hope, truth and transformation. 

In ancient Rome, it was considered a symbol of purity and hope. The Greeks believed they gave the gift of prophecy, while Arabic legends claimed they fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning. In modern times, it is associated with emotional healing, intuition and creativity. Many people wear an opal stone as personal talismans, believing they can bring balance, confidence and clarity.

The Rainbow Stone

One of the gem's most well-known and loved attributes is its ‘play-of-colour’. This optical phenomenon occurs when a beautiful movement of colour is seen mostly on the top, or face, of the stone as it is turned in the light. Spectacular, iridescent patterns appear with names like Harlequin, pinfire, rolling flash, flagstone and Chinese writing, among others.

The structure of inner silica spheres affects its colour—larger spheres tend to produce red (the rarest and most valuable colour) or orange, while smaller spheres create blue and green tones. This structure is what also creates play-of-colour. The background or body tone plays a major role in its appearance, including the vividness of it's colour.

Ethical Sourcing and Mining

Australian opals are also seen as the world's best, prized for their vibrant colour, durability and unique patterns. The country’s stable climate and vast sandstone deposits create ideal conditions for the gem's formation, resulting in some of the most breathtaking natural treasures in the world.

When it comes to production, Australia is the undisputed leader. Over 90% of the world’s precious opal stones come from Down Under, making these Australian gems the most sought-after in the global market. Renowned mining regions like Lightning Ridge (home to the famed black opal), Coober Pedy, Andamooka, and Mintabie are legendary among collectors and jewellers alike.

Opal mining in Australia is a vital industry that supports local communities and small-scale miners in remote locations like Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, Andamooka, and Mintabie, which have become synonymous with the gem itself. These rugged outback communities are rich in both character and treasure, built around generations of miners who have dedicated their lives to unearthing these dazzling stones.

Australia is known for ethical mining practices that prioritise environmental sustainability and fair labour. Choosing ethically sourced gems ensures that your purchase supports responsible trade and the preservation of the industry for future generations. Reputable sellers often work directly with Australian miners who can trace the stone's origin back to its source.

Types of Australian Opals

1. Black Opal

Known for its dark body tone and vibrant colours, this type is considered the most valuable in the world. Found mainly in Lightning Ridge, Australia, they can display intense flashes of red, blue, green, and orange.

2. White Opal

The most common type, they feature a pale body tone with softer play-of-colour, and are typically found in South Australia.

3. Boulder Opal

Formed within ironstone rock, this type is known for their durability and dramatic contrast. Their colourful veins appear against the dark brown host rock, making each stone unique.

4. Crystal Opal

Australian crystal varieties are transparent or semi-transparent with vivid colour play. Their clarity enhances the brightness of their colours, making them ideal for jewellery.

5. Common Opal

Also known as 'potch', these rocks lack the play-of-colour that defines precious opal. However, they are still valued for their attractive solid hues, like pink, green, or blue.

Cutting and Polishing

Raw opal—also known as rough—refers to stones that has not yet been cut or polished. Collectors and lapidaries often seek them for their potential to become stunning gemstones. Cutting gems requires skill and precision, as the colour layers can be thin and fragile. The process includes sawing, shaping, sanding and finally polishing to bring out the stone's full beauty.

Gem quality stones are not only shaped into round or oval stones, but in more recent times freeform shaped or carved gems have become exceptionally popular, both for collection pieces and to be set into captivating fine quality gold and silver jewellery. However many gem enthusiasts also collect raw stones for their natural form, appreciating them as geological wonders straight from the earth.

Australian Opals for Sale: What to Look For

When shopping for an opal stone, these factors play the highest important in deciding which gem is for you.

Play-of-colour: Look for stones with strong, multi-directional flashes of colour.

Body tone: Darker tones (black opal) tend to enhance colour contrast.

Clarity: Fewer inclusions or cracks result in higher value.

Shape and cut: Oval cuts are most popular, but free-form shapes are also desirable.

Origin: Authentic, high end Australian gems often comes with a certificate stating the field location the stone was sourced from e.g. Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy

WHY SHOP WITH BLACK STAR OPAL?

As your go-to online boutique for Australian opal stones and jewellery. We offer a wide range of beautiful gemstones in different colours and patterns, sourced straight from our famous outback mining fields. Whether you're shopping for a specific stone or a gift, we have something for every style and budget. Our helpful team is always ready to assist with any order—big or small.

We’re a family-owned business with strong ties to the opal industry since 1969. We began as Lightning Ridge miners and exporters, and today we also run The Opal Centre at the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour. We work closely with local miners in Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy and Queensland, and team up with skilled jewellers to bring you high-quality opal pieces at fair prices.

Every order comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can shop with peace of mind. If you're not completely happy with your purchase or want to exchange it, we’re here to help. As our reviews attest to, we just love helping people discover their perfect gem!