Dear Opal Enthusiasts:

I hate disappointing anyone, and in the past, some very enthusiastic customers have placed orders for half a dozen "top quality black opals, with all the colours," for $20 each. Now, small black opals of this quality could be around $200 each, and stones more than one carat could be up to $5000 per carat. (A carat is about 8x6mm in size if it has a high dome.) Sales of $10,000 per stone at Lightning Ridge is quite common.

Obviously this sort of money puts most people out of the picture. Fortunately however, unlike most other precious stones, there is a very satisfactory alternative for Mr. or Mrs. Average, who may just have $50 to spend.

To help folks better understand the different types of opals available, how opals are graded, and the terms used to describe opals and opal features, I've put together this illustrated, online Opal Encyclopedia.

Click the Next and Previous arrows at the bottom of each page to read through the Encyclopedia page-by-page.

If you don't want to go to all that trouble, please give me some sort of idea of how much you can afford and I'll make a recommendation. As a general guide, if you want an investment stone that will knock your eyes (and everyone else's as well) out, expect to pay from $300 to $600. This will get you a solid semi black stone with probably more color than you will have seen on anyone else's finger in your area. If you want to buy a gift, or just spoil yourself on the remnants of a week's wage, there is still plenty to choose from.... just email me.