1.67 Ct. Black Opal from Australia

There is a quiet drama behind every gem that arrives at The Natural Gemstone Company, and this Black Opal began its story deep beneath the arid plains of Australia, where ancient silica rich solutions slowly laid down microscopic layers that would one day scatter light into living color. Miners working in time honored fields probed the dark seams and pockets that appear like veins of midnight in the host rock, and when this particular rough was found it carried with it the promise of a rare and intense palette. The stone is opaque by nature, which in a Black Opal amplifies the depth of its play of color, allowing greens, blues, and flashes of teal to emerge like shards of the sea and sky in motion. From the moment it left the ground it was treated with care, gently cleaned and sorted, and it began a new life as a candidate for a refined tablet cut that would both protect the thin opal layers and present their color with maximum intensity.

In the cutting studio the cutter considered the best way to honor the opal while preserving weight and color. The result is a graceful oval shape weighing 1.67 carat, with dimensions 10.20 x 8.12 x 3.18 mm, cut in a tablet style that gives a flat pavilion and a soft domed surface, a form that highlights broad color patches and luminous flashes across the surface. The craftsmanship is evident in the excellent polish, which creates a mirror like finish and lets the internal play of color sing freely without visual obstruction. Under close inspection the clarity is graded as very slightly included, evaluated at eye level, which is natural for many fine opals and in no way diminishes the gem quality. There has been no enhancement, the color is natural and intense, and the gem carries the integrity of its Australian origin in every shimmer.

As a piece from The Natural Gemstone Company this Black Opal is offered as both a collector piece and an inspiration for an heirloom setting. Imagine it set in a protective bezel of warm gold to frame the dark background and amplify the electric greens, or suspended in a low profile platinum mount to allow the tablet form to speak with elegance. Because it is an unenhanced opal, its character will remain stable with sensible wear and simple care, such as avoiding harsh chemicals and prolonged rapid temperature changes, and storing it separately to prevent hard abrasives from dulling the excellent polish. For those seeking a story as much as a gem, this Black Opal carries the voice of the Australian outback, the hands of experienced cutters, and the guarantee of careful selection by The Natural Gemstone Company, a narrative that connects the wearer to the earths long processes and to the artisans who bring raw beauty into the world.