Black Opals

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- Black Opal 0097
  
  $80.00
  
  lovely green dark opal. would make a really nice ladies ring
- Black Opal 0008
  
  $90.00
  
  Drop shape green blue black opal from lightning ridge
- Black Opal 0019
  
  $90.00
  
  lovely green dark opal with an interesting splash of orange
- Black Opal 0092
  
  $90.00
  
  green dark opal with natural black potch in foreground
- Black Opal 0129
  
  $90.00
  
  lovely green dark opal from lightning ridge
- Black Opal 0059
  
  $100.00
  
  Very black blue opal from Lightning Ridge
- Black Opal 0100
  
  $100.00
  
  small dark green blue black opal from L.R. black opal fields
- Black Opal 0117
  
  $100.00
  
  nice dark grey black opal with blue green highlights
- Black Opal 0128
  
  $100.00
  
  green opal on dark opal potch with sharp setting edge
- Black Opal 0095
  
  $110.00
  
  Dark Blue Black Opal from L.R. Opal fields
- Black Opal 0115
  
  $110.00
  
  matching set of dark opals from lightning ridge
- Black Opal 0113
  
  $125.00
  
  nice green blue black opal with black potch in foreground
- Black Opal 0091
  
  $130.00
- Boulder Opal 1111
  
  $149.00
  
  Tiny brilliant green blue black boulder opal for small ring
- Black Opal 0062
  
  $150.00
  
  Long green dark opal from the Black Opal fields of Lightning Ridge
- Black Opal 0081
  
  $150.00
  
  dramatic blue black opal from lighting ridge
- Black Opal 0118
  
  $150.00
  
  facinating black opal showing black potch in foreground
- Black Opal 0132
  
  $150.00
  
  Deep green free form opal from Lightning Ridge opal fields
- Black Opal 0137
  
  $150.00
  
  Crystal opal cannot be seen in this black opal combine
- Black Opal 0109
  
  $180.00
  
  Rainbow style opal from the opal fields at Lightning Ridge

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Black Opals – Dark and Priceless

Black opals are precious stones and the most expensive form of opal. A black opal is characterized by a black or dark body that is a part of the stone itself and is completely solid. In the case of Lightning Ridge black opal, the blackness arises from the occurrence of dark-colored iron oxide impurities in the opal potch background. In the case of boulder opal, the darkness comes from the boulder ironstone which is naturally attached to the opal foreground. Opal has the amazing ability to take the colors from the light spectrum, bend them and diffract them so that the result is breathtaking display of rainbow colors that differs with each opal.

Matrix opals, which contain fragments of opal mixed with the host rock, can also have really dark colors but are not classified as a black opal. Please check our opal encyclopaedia for further details of opal structure and origin.

Black Opal Patterns

Black opals come in a variety of patterns. Some of the commonly seen patterns are listed below:

Blue flash shows areas of violet, indigo or intense blue within the opal
Scotch plaid refers to a greenish-blue tinge in the opal
Harlequin is an opal wherein the play of colors from light is visible from all angles and usually has a squarish shape
Night stone – the opal’s color can be seen even in low light. This occurs in high quality opals
Pinfire refers to the presence of pinprick sized spots of color
Exploding flash contains single prominent blaze of color that seems to burst outwards when the stone is seen at various angles.

Most opals show a number of patterns in a single stone. The colors and the patterns change when the viewing angle changes.

Origin of Black Opals

Most black opals are mined from the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales in Australia. Rough opals are cut and shaped to enhance their appearance. They may be sold as unset stones or in the form of opal jewelry, such as opal brooches, rings, pendants, necklaces, earrings etc. Black opals and boulder opals and are thus lovely options for both men and women’s jewelry.

Black opals are excellent choices for investments or gifts. When buying one for investment purposes, you should definitely buy a stone with minimal flaws and a rich deep shade of color, keeping in mind that it’s good to notice some natural flaws in the rear of the stone because this identifies it as a natural, non synthetic opal. A conventionally shaped circular, drop or oval black opal which can be easily set into jewelry. You should consider choosing black opals the next time you’re thinking of a gift for someone who has everything, it makes for a great gift.

9 Responses to Black Opals

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RINTO says:

January 26, 2011 at 3:27 am

Thanks a lot Peter, Opal I’ve received in excellent condition and also Thank You very much for the gift,

Recommendations buy Opal Excellent Service,

Reply
- admin says:
  
  January 26, 2011 at 7:43 am
  
  Appreciate your kind words Rinto. And happy that you liked the extra opal gifts. Its really nice to deal with such an appreciative person who would take the time to comment in this forum. best wishes, Peter
  
  Reply
RINTO says:

December 19, 2010 at 2:22 am

Dear, Opal Mine

I’m RINTO from Indonesia, I Like the Unset Opal > Black Opal, for the Picture is real?
What size & Carat Weigh it’s Black Opal 0084??

Thank’s…

Reply
- admin says:
  
  December 19, 2010 at 7:23 am
  
  Rinto, yes, it is a real black opal. Size is 11x7mm The approximate weight is around 1.0 ct. perhaps just over. Its still available for sale if you want it. thanks for your inquiry Rinto. Peter
  
  Reply
  - RINTO says:
    
    December 19, 2010 at 7:19 pm
    
    Thank’s.. Peter, for the Information,
    
    Reply