0.55 Ct. Cabochon Black Opal from Australia

This Black Opal from The Natural Gemstone Company is a finely finished, opaque, multi color specimen weighing 0.55 carat, with precise dimensions of 6.38 x 5.27 x 2.71 mm. It has been shaped into an oval cabochon cut to maximize the characteristic play of color, and it shows a medium intense color intensity with vivid flashes of green and violet across its surface. The polish is excellent, producing a smooth, reflective face that enhances brightness and color contrast, and there has been no enhancement applied, which is an important factor for connoisseurs who value natural state gems. In terms of clarity and body tone, this opal is best described as opaque, which is typical for high contrast Black Opal material, and the dark base contributes to a strong color saturation that is prized in the market. From a grading perspective, its compact dimensions and 0.55 carat weight place it in a category ideal for classic rings or pendant settings where the cabochon shape will present consistent flashes of color as the piece moves, and the absence of treatments supports long term collector value.

Geologically, this gemstone is a record of a process that unfolded over millions of years in Australia, and understanding that formation adds to its appeal for the informed buyer. Silica rich waters percolated through ancient sandstone layers, depositing microscopic spheres of hydrated silica into cavities and fissures, and over extended time frames those spheres organized into a regular lattice that diffracts light to produce the play of color. Pressure, temperature variations, and the chemistry of the host rock influenced the final body tone, leading in this case to the darker background that defines Black Opal. Minor microstructure and trace elements within the silica matrix created the specific green and violet flashes you see, and the cabochon cut was chosen to follow the natural dome and highlight those optical phenomena. For an educated buyer, this opal represents a combination of documented origin, unenhanced natural material, expert cutting and polishing, and the intrinsic rarity of Black Opal, and The Natural Gemstone Company stands behind its provenance and quality, offering a gem that is both scientifically fascinating and enduringly beautiful.