1.29 Ct. Semi-Black Opal from Australia

This listing presents a single translucent Semi-Black Opal of exceptional technical qualities, offered by The Natural Gemstone Company. The stone weighs 1.29 carats, and its freeform geometry measures 13.32 x 9.57 x 1.76 mm. The faceting designation is cut not applicable, reflecting its smooth, fashioned surface rather than faceted pavilion work. Clarity is graded as eye clean when evaluated at normal viewing distance and lighting, indicating the absence of visible inclusions or fractures that would interrupt light transmission. Color intensity is classified as intense, and the surface polish has been assessed as excellent, producing crisp, lively play of color across the dome. No enhancements have been applied to the gem, and the material is of Australian origin, a provenance that is consistent with high quality opal formation and desirable geological characteristics.

Optically the specimen exhibits a rich, multicolor palette that is characteristic of high quality Semi-Black Opal, with dominant red and orange flashes supported by secondary green and blue zones. The body tone is in the semi-black range, providing sufficient darkening to enhance color contrast without the deep opacity of true black opal. The stone shows a combination of broad flash and diffuse patch patterns, which yield strong color movement as the viewing angle changes. The translucency is significant, permitting internal light scatter that amplifies spectral separation while retaining a depth that gives the color play dimensionality. Under directional illumination the fire concentrates in localized areas, producing intense, saturated reflections that remain visible under ambient indoor lighting, a practical advantage for wearable designs.

From a lapidary and setting perspective the piece is a freeform cabochon style, with a gentle dome and continuous curvature that demonstrate precise shaping and controlled removal of material during cutting. The 1.76 mm thickness is moderate for a thin, wearable profile, offering a balance between durability and low profile mounting. The excellent polish across the dome minimizes surface scattering and maximizes the transparency of the matrix, which is important for showcasing the internal color play. The edge transition has been smoothed to prevent stress concentrations when bezel set, and the overall geometry allows for a number of mounting strategies, including low bezel, flush setting into thin bands, or open gallery settings that exploit light entry. Given the eye clean clarity, prong settings are feasible when designed to protect the stone from lateral impact, but a bezel is recommended to secure the freeform outline and preserve the integrity of the dome.

Provenance and treatment information are especially relevant to discriminating buyers, and this Semi-Black Opal is offered with no enhancements, reflecting natural hydration and surface condition as delivered from Australian cutters. The Australian origin informs expected hardness and behavior under setting, and the absence of impregnation or dye enhances both long term stability and market value. For collectors and designers, this specimen represents a technically interesting example of semi-black material, combining intense play of color with translucency and a refined polish. The Natural Gemstone Company stands behind the description and is available to provide magnified imagery, exact orientation guidance for mounting, and recommendations for protective setting techniques to optimize visual performance and longevity.