1.90 Ct. Multi Color Black Opal (Dark Opal) from Australia

This Black Opal is an exacting specimen for the technically minded buyer, a solid opaque 1.90 carat multi color gemstone cut into a deliberate fancy shape with precise dimensions of 11.72 x 7.35 x 2.60 mm. The tablet cut used here departs from traditional high dome cabochons and instead presents a low profile plane that emphasizes sheet like color patches and broad flash effects. The play of color exhibits intense saturation across the visible spectrum, with dominant red and green flashes, secondary blues and violets, and finely distributed pinfire that coexists with larger patchwork patterning. The body tone is demonstrably dark, a critical trait that allows color contrast to resolve across grazing and direct lighting. The piece is unenhanced, fully natural, and shows an excellent polish that yields a silky specular response rather than a high mirror glare, which is essential to preserve lively internal diffraction while minimizing surface reflections. Optical characteristics inherent to opal, including its hydrated amorphous silica structure and refractive response near 1.45, are evident in the way laminar color bands shift with changes in incident light angle. The overall visual metric for this gem positions it in a high color intensity grade, where pattern coherency and chromatic range command premium consideration.

The journey of this opal begins in the layered fields of Australia where miners selectively extract color bars from ironstone host matrix with an eye toward preserved orientation and minimal stress on the material. From the claim the rough is assessed under standardized daylight simulators and spectrally neutral conditions to document play of color, pattern repeatability, and potential stability issues related to water content. The selection criteria prioritize slabs that will respond well to tablet cutting, that is, thin planar slices oriented to maximize sheet like color rather than depth dependent flashes. In the lapidary phase precision trimming removes ironstone margins and corrects for strain lines using gradual abrasion and controlled rinsing. Preforming is performed on graded silicon carbide wheels, followed by progressive sanding through micron graded diamond laps to reach the targeted thickness of 2.60 mm while maintaining planarity and edge symmetry. Final polishing employs a cerium oxide slurry on felt laps to achieve the excellent polish you observe, with careful edge rounding to prevent chipping in service. Throughout this chain The Natural Gemstone Company adheres to traceability and ethical sourcing protocols, documenting the Australian origin and ensuring that no dyeing, sugar treatment, resin impregnation, or doublet assembly are applied.

For designers and informed collectors this Black Opal offers specific technical advantages and considerations. The tablet cut makes the gem ideal for low profile mountings where frontal color play is prioritized over cabochon height, for example bezel settings with a protective lip or a flush set in a ring shank with a support gallery to shield the thin edge. Placement on darker metals will enhance contrast and present the intense color intensity at maximum effect, while open backed settings can be used selectively to allow light transmission when the design requires softer diffusion. Due to the natural, unenhanced state it is important to avoid extreme thermal shock and prolonged immersion in solvents; standard care protocols for opal apply given its hydrated nature. From a valuation perspective the combination of solid black body tone, intense multi spectral color, coherent pattern, tablet orientation, and an excellent polish places this item in a tier attractive to collectors seeking rare color performance in a controlled profile. The Natural Gemstone Company provides full documentation of the gem parameters and origin, and can advise on custom mounting techniques that conserve the tablet geometry while maximizing visual return. If you require additional measurements, facet plane diagrams, or mounting templates tailored to this 11.72 x 7.35 x 2.60 mm, 1.90 carat Black Opal, we will supply them and coordinate secure delivery.