How much is Australian opal worth?

Opal is a gem whose varieties reflect all four elements. The “inner world” of the stone captures the sparks of fire, the depth of the ocean, the transparency of the air, the energy and strength of the earth. The ancient Romans called it opalus – “bewitching look”. There is a legend that one day the Creator descended from the rainbow to convey to people the knowledge of the world. And in those places where it touched the ground, stones began to form and glow with all the colors of the rainbow. These were the opals. There is no single system for classifying opals, but in nature there is an incredible variety of opal varieties by color – more than 130 species. The hue and transparency of gems depend on the type of chemical elements included in their composition. Despite the large number of varieties of gems, the share of noble opals is only 1%. At the same time, you can evaluate the dignity of a stone by eye. It is a visual inspection that allows us to identify the presence of the main property of noble opals – opalescence – the optical effect of light scattering, which is expressed in the play of the color of the stone. The collection of the Chamovskikh jewelry house includes a magnificent and very rare specimen – a black Australian opal weighing 62,26 ct. A stone of this order is a true treasure for sophisticated people. When looking at iridescent opal, images of distant stars and unknown galaxies appear. The similarity is also explained by the physical properties of the stone: processes are continuously occurring inside the gem that are literally subordinate to cosmic order. Opal consists of microspheres of silica (a compound of silicon dioxide and water), which are arranged in layers during the formation of the stone. Light waves, moving between spheres, bend, and, bending, break up into spectral colors, as a result of which rainbow tints appear. Opal shades can vary across the spectrum, with both the opalescence and the background (the color of the stone’s body) being different colors. Opal can display one, two, three or all colors of the rainbow. The shade of the colored spots on the surface depends on the size of the microspheres. For example, spheres about 0,1 microns in diameter (one ten-millionth of a meter) produce violet, while spheres about 0,2 microns in diameter produce red. In the same way, other colors of the rainbow appear in opal. The shade of the stone’s body is affected by the impurities of small particles in microspheres. Precious opals include black and white.
White opal is translucent and has light blue and milky tones. The play of color in white opal manifests itself in the form of a delicate rainbow glow. Depending on its expressiveness, the price of the stone is determined. Noble opals are one of the most expensive precious stones. For example, one carat of natural white high-quality opal costs from $500, and Australian black opal costs at least $3000. The main quality by which noble opal can be distinguished from synthetics or imitation is its opalescence. Synthetic samples have identical flashes without transitions, which are localized on the surface of the stone, and not in depth. Often, opalescence is difficult to determine unless a professional observes it. You can also verify the authenticity of a noble opal if you have a certificate from a reputable gemological laboratory.
Black opal is rarer than white opal and is therefore more expensive. It got its name because it is located on black rock. The shades of the gem can be very different: blue, green, purple, turquoise, etc. Like the lines on a person’s hand, the color and intensity of the inclusions contained in the gem varies and is never repeated. The main difference between black opal is expressed in the exceptional spectral play of colors. The surface of black opal is most often dominated by flashes of green and blue, but very rare stones are also found – with an admixture of gold and red. Black opal with a turquoise hue is highly valued in jewelry. The richer the color of the stone, the better the opalescence and shimmer effect is revealed during its processing. The most significant deposits of black opal are located in Australia. Opal is considered the national stone of this country. It is there that 97% of the world’s gem production is located. Black opals account for only 5% of the total stones mined in Australia. In addition, the largest opal was found on the continent in 1956. The weight of the stone, which was given the name “Olympic”, is 17 carats (000 kilograms), and the content of material suitable for cutting was 3,4%. The giant gem was not cut and preserved in its original form. Another famous opal, Halley’s Comet, was included in the Guinness Book of Records. Its weight is only 99 grams, and its age is about 400 million years. The most beautiful opal, “Virgin’s Rainbow,” was found in 20 at a mine in the Australian town of Coober Pedy. The weight of the gem is small – 2003 carats (about the size of a human finger), but the cost is estimated at $72 million. This stone has a unique opalescence: each section shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow and glows in the dark. The main deposits of precious opal are located in Australia, Ethiopia and Mexico. In 2008, scientists found a deposit of stone on Mars. And although the extraction of opal from the Martian subsoil has not yet been developed, this discovery may come in handy – the terrestrial deposits contain a very small amount of the precious stone, the deposits are quickly depleted, and the value and rarity of opal is increasing. Opal contains between 3% and 30% water, with most varieties containing approximately 10% water. Jewelers recommend wearing opal jewelry as often as possible, since moisture is so important to this gem that it absorbs it from the air. Opals should be stored in a separate box along with a piece of damp sponge, protected from heat and direct sunlight. Noble opal is rarely seen on the mass jewelry market; most often, its imitations, synthetic versions and refined ordinary opals are used. Most synthetic opals are produced using the technology of the Japanese company KYOCERA; when examining such stones, you can notice the repetition of patterns and a random change in the brightness of the stone. Stones with unnatural acid shades are synthetic. For imitations, opals of low quality are usually used – thin and fragile. Sellers make doublets and triplets out of them: they glue opals to a base of obsidian, chalcedony, black glass or plastic. In the case of a triplet, a layer of opal is secured between the base and a dome-shaped lid made of colorless quartz or clear glass. Natural black Ethiopian opals are practically not represented on the world market. Due to their porous structure, Ethiopian opals are dyed black using the “smoking” method or using organic dyes. Black dots on the surface of an opal should always raise doubts; perhaps this is a base opal that has been colored. The opals used to encrust the jewelry of the CHAMOVSKIKH jewelry house are mined in Australia and Ethiopia, their quality is confirmed by certificates from reputable gemological laboratories. We present to your attention ready-made collections of jewelry with precious opals. The jewelry became winners of competitions at international exhibitions of jewelry and watch brands The online jewelry store CHAMOVSKIKH offers you to choose and buy opals in Yekaterinburg. Large catalog of precious stones with prices and high-quality photos. Our consultants are always happy to help you by phone 8 (800) 234-99-22 or in company showrooms. You can pick up the opals presented on the website yourself in our showrooms and partner stores in Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Kazan and other cities or order free delivery. Products in this category are in the process of being photographed and posted on the site. In our availability of more than 5 carats precious and semi-precious stones available for viewing in Moscow, Yekaterinburg and Bangkok. We can also find a custom stone based on your specifications. Contact us and get the best gemological expertise. You can check out other product categories:

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Australian opals are unique and highly prized gemstones. They are known for their vibrant colors and intricate patterns that range from pale pastels to rich reds and greens. The most common types of Australian minerals include koroitic, black, fire and boulder opals. Black opals are considered the rarest and most valuable type and are often used in high-end jewelry. The most famous quarrying area is in Coober Pedy, South Australia, where most opals are found embedded in ironstone boulders known as boulder opals. Koroit opals are also known for their unique patterns and vibrant colors and can be found in the Koroit region of Queensland, Australia. Australian opals are highly sought after by collectors and are often used in high-end jewelry, making them a popular choice for those looking for a unique and precious stone.

Various types of Australian opals

Opals are unique gemstones that come in many varieties, each with their own unique characteristics. The most common types include koroitic, black, fire and boulder minerals. Each type has its own unique appearance and properties, making them popular for making jewelry and other decorative items.

Australian boulder opal

Australian boulder opals are a type of mineral found in iron ore boulders. They are unique to Australia and are known for their vibrant colors and intricate patterns. These opals are usually cut and polished to expose the opal layer on the surface of the boulder, making them a popular choice for unique and one-of-a-kind jewelry. Australian boulder opals are found primarily in Queensland, Australia, and are highly sought after by collectors and often used in high-end jewelry. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, with the most popular ones being those that combine colors such as blue and green or red and yellow. Australian boulder opals are gemstones that can last a lifetime if cared for properly.

Koroit opals

Koroite opals are a type of mineral found in the Koroite region of Queensland, Australia. They are known for their unique patterns and vibrant colors that can range from pale pastels to rich reds and greens. Koroite opals are highly sought after by collectors and are often used in high-end jewelry. They are known for their unique “moss-like” patterns, which are formed due to the presence of iron ore inclusions. They are also known for their “floral” pattern, which is created by the presence of different colors in the same opal.

Black opal gemstone

Black opals are a type of rock that is characterized by a dark body color. They are highly prized for their intense play of color, which can range from deep blues and greens to fiery reds and oranges. Black opals are considered the rarest and most valuable type and are often used in high-end jewelry. They are found primarily in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia, and are known for their deep black color, which creates contrast with the play of color.

Crystal opals

Crystal opals can be mined from all deposits in Australia and are the closest competitor to black opal in terms of cost and quality. It is a translucent type of mineral, meaning when held up to a light source, distorted images and light are visible through the gemstone. Crystal opals have the most depth when it comes to color on color or play of color due to their glassy clarity. Crystal opal has little or no ceramic and is usually all colour, creating the ultimate three-dimensional color-on-color effect. Once the crystal is completely free of inclusions, you can polish the back of the stone to reveal the full potential of the color play.

“Black Ridge Lightning”

Black Crest Lightning Opals are a variety characterized by their dark body color and intense color play that can range from deep blues and greens to fiery reds and oranges. They are highly prized for their unique appearance and are often used in high-end jewelry.

White specimens from Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy is a small town in South Australia famous for its large opal mines. Specimens from Coober Pedy are known for their unique patterns and vibrant colors, which can range from pale pastels to rich reds and greens. They are highly sought after by collectors and are often used in high-end jewelry.

Buy Australian opals

• Think about what you are going to use the stone for. Shape and size are an important factor when choosing jewelry settings. If you are purchasing a high quality stone, choose a high quality setting to go with it.
• Consider Shine – A shiny stone is nice no matter the color or shade, but you will have to pay more for it. Specimens that fall into the “bright” category are still beautiful, and even muted stones can be amazing.
• The most valuable color is red, followed by orange, yellow, green and then blue.
• Certificates of Authenticity – Always request a signed Certificate of Authenticity for the mineral. Not only is this beneficial for insurance and resale, but it also holds the seller accountable.
• Find out how opals are valued – read our article on how the mineral is valued. Familiarize yourself with the general principles of assessment and compare options. There is no “formula” for determining the value of a mineral, although people have tried and are still trying to formalize this process. There is no substitute for years of experience in mining, cutting and grading stones. Buy from those who have a good reputation, preferably from those who cut or mine the stones themselves.

Cracks and defects – any seller will clearly indicate all inclusions or defects in the stone that are visible to the naked eye. Natural inclusions and imperfections are normal, but do not buy stone with cracks. If you are inspecting the stone in person, make sure it is dry, then hold it up to a lamp to check for cracks. Be careful not to mistake natural formation lines in the mineral for cracks (with time you will be able to tell them apart). A stone with cracks is worth almost nothing. It is the responsibility of the person you purchase the stone from to inform you of any cracks or defects in the stone before you purchase it.

Other types of stone:

• Mexican fire opal

• Australian opal

• Ethiopian opal