Australian opals are indeed highly valued in the gemstone market. Despite Australia being the world's leading source of opals, the exceptional quality of Australian opals often renders them more valuable than opals from other locations. Top-gem quality black Australian opals are one of the most rare gemstones in the world. Their scarcity, limited mine production, high demand, and consistent price appreciation over decades make fine Australian opals highly sought after by jewelry designers, collectors, and investors.

The value of an opal, like all gemstones, is influenced by important quality factors. These include:

• Opal composition: Determining that the opal is a solid, natural, and untreated stone rather than a treated natural stone, an assembled stone such as a doublet or triplet, or man-made/synthetic stone.
• Opal type: Different types of opals, such as black, dark, light, crystal, or boulder opals, have varying values. Black opals, for instance, are often more valuable due to their rarity and striking appearance.
• Body tone: The body tone of an opal refers to its background color. Intensely dark black opals are more valuable than those with a grey body tone, and clear crystal opals are more prized than those with a milky appearance.
• Brightness: The brightness of an opal is a key determinant of its value. The brightness scale ranges from vivid, very bright, bright, moderate, to subdued, with vivid being the most sought-after.
• Pattern: The arrangement and type of play-of-color patterns can increase an opal's value. Rare and named patterns are particularly prized.
• Play-of-color: This optical phenomenon describes the interplay between opals and light. When light enters an opal, it bounces across the silica spheres within the stone, reflecting colors across its surface. A precious opal displays play-of-color, whereas a common opal does not. Strong play-of-color visible from all angles is most desirable.
• Carat weight: Larger opals of fine quality are very rare and thus more valuable.
• Cut and polish: The quality of the cut and polish affects an opal's value. Well-polished and symmetrical oval shapes in black and crystal varieties are highly coveted, whereas free-form shapes are standard for boulder opals.
• Color bar thickness: A thick color bar or color on both sides of an opal is valued higher than a thin bar of precious opal color.

Fine quality Lightning Ridge black opals, characterized by vivid brightness, rare patterns, and full spectrum play-of-color including red, are among the rarest and most valuable gemstones globally. Exceptionally rare precious black opals can command wholesale prices exceeding $10,000 per carat. However, it is important to note that not all black opals are inherently more valuable than other Australian opal varieties. A black opal with lower brightness and fewer spectral colors may be less valuable than a high-quality crystal or boulder opal exhibiting superior characteristics. Due to the unique nature of each opal, valuations are determined on a case-by-case basis. The value spectrum of Australian opals is vast; for instance, a 3-carat stone of lesser quality might be valued at $50, while a 3-carat stone of exceptional quality could be worth $50,000. This wide range underscores the importance of expert evaluation and reputable suppliers in determining an opal's value. While Australian opals, particularly black opals and crystal opals, are generally valuable, their worth is ultimately determined by their individual qualities rather than broad categorization.

Yes, we guarantee all of our solid opals are 100% natural and untreated. Each opal is hand-cut and polished from its natural state, ensuring that they are not enhanced in any way.

We do offer a limited selection of doublets, which are assembled opals consisting of a piece of natural opal affixed to a natural backing. We always disclose when an opal is an assembled piece to maintain transparency and trust with our customers.

Australian opals are renowned for their stability and enduring beauty. Unlike hydrophane opals from Ethiopia, Australian opals maintain their original color and brilliance throughout their lifespan, provided they receive proper care and handling. The unique characteristics of Australian opals include color stability, molecular integrity, and a non-porous nature. From formation deep in the earth to final setting in jewelry, the opal's structure remains intact, and the vibrant hues present at the time of purchase remain constant. Australian opals are impervious to external agents, preserving their appearance. In contrast, Ethiopian opals are porous and can absorb water, oils, and other liquids, potentially altering their color and diminishing their brilliance over time. This durability and consistency make Australian opals a preferred choice for both jewelers and collectors.

It's important to clarify that Australian fire opal is actually a misnomer. Fire opals are distinct from Australian opals in several ways. Fire opals primarily originate from volcanic regions of Mexico in Central America, not Australia. Fire opals are characterized by their translucent to transparent body with a vivid red, orange, or yellow body color. Fire opals are often faceted like other transparent gemstones, whereas Australian opals are typically cut as cabochons to best display their play-of-color.

In the context of Australian opals, the term "fire" is sometime used colloquially to describe the brilliance and intensity of an opal's play-of-color, not to denote a specific variety of stone. For example, an opal with vibrant, bright flashes of color might be described as having "good fire," but this is different from a Mexican fire opal.

A good indicator of a natural opal is some irregularity or imperfection. Inclusions, visible potch, sand, or asymmetry in color or pattern are often markers of Mother Nature. Conversely, a perfect systematic ordering of color and pattern throughout an opal is often an indication of a man-made or lab-created opal. If an opal appears to be too good to be true, it probably is. Most natural opals are set into precious metal with the back of the opal exposed when viewed from the reverse of the jewelry item, which can be a good indicator that the opal is natural and solid. If you are still uncertain about an opal's authenticity, the best way to confirm it is to consult with a gemologist or reputable jeweler. It is best to evaluate in person, as opals are notoriously hard to capture in photographs.

While more delicate than some other gemstones, opal can still be worn regularly and cherished for generations with proper care. To clean your opal jewelry at home, use a soft cloth or brush with warm water and mild soap. It is important to avoid ultrasonic cleaning machines and chemical detergents, as these can damage the opal. For optimal maintenance, we recommend taking your opal jewelry to a professional jeweler several times a year for thorough cleaning and safety checks. When storing your opal jewelry, place it in a soft pouch or a fabric-lined box, separate from other jewelry pieces to prevent scratching or accidental damage. Additionally, avoid exposing your opal jewelry to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. Refrain from wearing it in hot tubs, during household chores, extreme physical activities, and manual labor to ensure its longevity and brilliance.

No, wearing an opal is not considered unlucky, regardless of whether it's your birthstone or not. In fact, throughout history, opals have been revered as one of the luckiest gemstones. Ancient cultures prized opals for their unique ability to display kaleidoscopic colors of every other gemstone, viewing this as a symbol of good fortune and positive energy. The misconception that opals bring bad luck is relatively recent and can be traced back to a misinterpretation of Sir Walter Scott's 1829 novel, Anne of Geierstein. This superstition does not stem from any ancient beliefs or historical experiences. In reality, opals have been cherished for centuries across various cultures for their beauty. Many still believe that opals bring good fortune to their wearers. So, whether it's your birthstone or not, you can wear an opal with confidence, without concern for outdated superstitions.