16.59 Ct. Black Opal from Australia

One beautiful opaque 16.59 carat fancy shape multi color opal from Australia, this specimen is a tablet cut Black Opal that measures 40.70 x 9.80 x 4.40 mm, it displays intense color intensity and an excellent polish, the elongated fancy shape gives a sleek elegant silhouette that is perfect for a striking pendant or a long, refined ring, the surface shows vivid flashes of electric blue and deep indigo, bright greens like fresh fern, fiery oranges and warm reds that dance across the dark bodytone, the play of color is broad and patchy in places with mosaic like sections that catch light differently as the gem moves, the dark background of the Black Opal doubles the apparent depth of the colors and provides dramatic contrast that makes even small flashes read as vibrant, the tablet cut emphasizes the face up display and gives a flat profile that sits comfortably in low bezel settings or inlays, the excellent polish enhances the brightness of the play of color and gives lively reflections across the surface without distracting pits or dull areas, overall this stone combines size, intense color, and a graceful shape to offer a rare and wearable example of Australian Black Opal in a doublet format.

This opal is an assembled doublet, composed of a thin slice of precious opal adhered to a dark backing to intensify the colors and to provide stability, doublets are an excellent way to showcase precious opal material with enhanced contrast while keeping the weight and cost more accessible, because the opal layer is thin and supported, care considerations differ from single piece solid opal, avoid prolonged exposure to water immersion in household cleaners and avoid acids and strong solvents, do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaners, sudden extreme temperature changes should be avoided to reduce stress on the adhesive layer, we recommend settings that protect the edges and back of the stone, a well made bezel with a slightly raised rim will shelter the perimeter and prevent knocks to the thin opal slice, closed back settings will keep the adhesive away from detergents and moisture, for everyday wear a pendant or a protected ring design will be more secure than exposed designs, the tablet cut and flat profile also make this piece ideal for artisan inlays and bespoke pieces that benefit from the gem lying flush with the metal surface, when viewing and photographing the stone use a broad light source and vary the angle to reveal the full spectrum of color, the opal will often show different dominant hues at different tilt angles which makes it an engaging gem for custom pieces that capture movement.

At The Natural Gemstone Company we present this Australian Black Opal doublet with full transparency about its characteristics, we supply detailed images and measurements so you can assess fit and presence, our team is happy to advise on mounting options that protect the stone while enhancing the face up play of color, if you would like a custom setting we can recommend designs that use bezels and gallery backs to secure the tablet cut and to show off the multi color flash, we stand behind the quality of our gems and offer secure shipping and careful packaging to ensure the gem arrives safely, if you have questions about the doublet construction, recommendations for long term care, or ideas for a bespoke commission please contact our sales team for a consultation, we love helping clients select and design jewelry around special stones and we will guide you towards settings that maximize the beauty and durability of this 16.59 carat Black Opal, The Natural Gemstone Company looks forward to assisting you in bringing this dramatic Australian opal into a finished piece that you will enjoy for years.