1.16 Ct. Cabochon White Opal from Australia

This listing presents a single, beautiful White Opal, a natural Australian specimen weighing 1.16 carat, with an oval shape and cabochon cut, measuring 9.00 x 6.87 x 4.22 mm. The gem is opaque by body tone, displaying a pleasing multi color play that reveals flashes of green, orange, and subtle red when viewed from different angles. The clarity grade is eye clean, evaluated at eye level, which means no inclusions or detracting features are visible to the unaided eye, while the polish is rated excellent, providing a smooth surface that enhances the opal s inherent shimmer. Importantly, this opal has no enhancement, it is a solid natural gem from Australia, and it is offered with the provenance and careful documentation you expect from The Natural Gemstone Company.

From a gemological perspective the combination of cabochon form and eye clean clarity makes this White Opal exceptionally well suited for fine jewelry where the play of color is the focal point. The cabochon cut is the traditional and optimal shape for opal because it maintains the stone s thickness and curvature, allowing the microscopic silica spheres that produce the play of color to interact with light effectively. The medium color intensity described here refers to the balance between the white or light body tone and the visible spectral colors, which is often desirable because it provides versatility for different metal choices and settings. The dimensions and 1.16 carat weight make this opal a comfortable size for rings, pendants, or earrings, while the eye clean grade preserves visual appeal without requiring magnification to appreciate the stone s beauty.

When comparing this natural White Opal to lab grown or synthetic opals, there are clear distinctions that affect both aesthetic preference and long term value. Lab grown opals can reproduce play of color and are often uniform and predictable, which is beneficial for budget sensitive projects or matched sets, however they typically display very regular, repetitive patterns and a different internal structure that many connoisseurs can distinguish from natural stones. Natural opals formed over geological time have irregular, unique color patterns and internal structure, making each piece one of a kind. In addition natural Australian opals carry a provenance premium because Australian fields are historically significant for opal mining and are associated with specific material qualities, such as stable body tone and authentic play of color. Many commercial alternatives to solid natural opal include doublets and triplets or stabilized material, but this example is a solid, untreated White Opal, which maintains authenticity and long term collectibility in ways that lab grown or assembled stones do not.

Practical considerations for the use and care of this White Opal are important to preserve its appearance and value. Opal typically measures approximately 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, therefore it benefits from protective settings such as bezels or lower profile gallery designs to reduce the risk of abrasion or impact. Avoid exposure to strong chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, and sudden extreme heat, and clean gently with mild soap and a soft cloth. Because this stone is untreated and retains its natural hydration, prolonged exposure to very dry heat should be avoided. The Natural Gemstone Company provides accurate measurements and the images you see to assist in selection, and we are available to provide additional close up photos, grams and weight confirmations, or independent certification on request. For buyers who value natural origin, unique visual character, and the assurance of no enhancement, this White Opal represents a sound and elegant choice.