1.22 Ct. Black Opal from Australia

This offering from The Natural Gemstone Company is a finely prepared Black Opal doublet, weighing 1.22 carat, presented in an oval outline with precise dimensions of 8.53 by 6.76 by 2.26 millimeters. The gem is described as opaque, with a tablet cut profile that produces a low, flat silhouette ideal for contemporary settings and inlay work. The cutting style is deliberate, preserving the precious opal slice while maximizing the optical display. The tablet cut here results in a thin dome and a shallow girdle, yielding a sleek, modern aesthetic and a visual plane that emphasizes the play of color rather than depth of body. Origin is Australia, and the piece has been disclosed as a doublet enhancement, an important specification that affects setting and care. The presented polish is excellent, delivering a smooth, high luster surface that minimizes surface scatter and allows the internal color play to read cleanly at normal viewing distances.

Optical characteristics of this multi color Black Opal display a medium intense color intensity, a balanced vibrancy that is neither overly pastel nor aggressively saturated, making it highly versatile for both everyday wear and formal pieces. The palette includes discrete red flashes, vibrant greens, and energetic blues distributed across the tablet surface, producing a mosaic of color patches that shift with changes in viewing angle and illumination. Pattern distribution is relatively even across the oval face, which contributes to consistent visual appeal from multiple orientations. From a gemological perspective, the play of color arises from diffraction within the ordered silica sphere lattice of the opal layer, and the black opal classification is achieved in this doublet by the presence of a dark backing material that increases contrast and apparent color saturation. The overall body tone reads as dark, which is characteristic of Black Opal aesthetics, and the medium intensity grading conveys the strength of the chromatic response under standard viewing conditions.

The enhancement as a doublet has been executed with technical care, in which a thin slice of precious opal is adhesively mounted to a dark backing substrate, commonly natural potch or engineered material, to achieve the black body tone. The tablet profile indicates a careful trimming and polishing regimen that minimizes edge chipping and preserves the opal surface. Adhesive selection and lamination technique are critical for longevity, and this piece shows consistent adhesion without visible voids or edge lifting. A well made doublet retains the desirable play of color while using a reduced quantity of precious opal material, and the construction allows for a thinner overall gem that sits low in a mounting. It is important to note that doublets are distinct from solid opals in both construction and care, and full disclosure is provided by The Natural Gemstone Company to ensure accurate valuation and appropriate treatment by jewelers and end users.

For practical use and long term preservation, this tablet cut Black Opal doublet benefits from protective setting choices and conservative cleaning practices. Bezel settings or flush inlays are recommended to protect the shallow edges and to stabilize the piece against lateral impact, while prong settings should be employed with caution, ensuring prongs are positioned to avoid exerting torque on the lamination interface. Thermal shock and prolonged exposure to solvents or harsh cleaners can compromise the adhesive bond, therefore ultrasonic cleaning and steam treatments should be avoided. Gentle warm water and a soft cloth are the preferred cleaning method, and professional maintenance by an experienced lapidary is advisable for any re-polishing or re-setting. The specific gravity and hardness of opal place it in a category requiring attentive handling, and the doublet construction further emphasizes the need for careful mounting. The Natural Gemstone Company stands behind full disclosure of origin, cut, and enhancement, and this Black Opal doublet represents a technically refined option for designers seeking a low profile, high contrast opal with multi color play, suitable for rings, pendants, and bespoke inlay projects.