2.03 Ct. Cabochon Boulder Opal from Australia

This listing presents a single, beautiful pear shaped Boulder Opal, weighing 2.03 carats, with precise dimensions of 13.91 by 6.77 by 2.74 millimeters. The stone is an opaque cabochon cut, exhibiting intense color intensity and an excellent polish, and it is offered as a doublet with a natural ironstone backing. The origin is Australia, and the appearance is classic for Queensland boulder opal material, where thin seams of precious opal form against the host rock. At The Natural Gemstone Company we note these factual details so that buyers understand both the aesthetics and the structure of the gem, because that informs both value and the best use in finished jewelry pieces.

From a grading perspective the most relevant attributes for this opal are body tone, brightness, play of color, pattern, and surface condition. This specimen shows a deep body tone enhanced by the ironstone backing, which creates excellent contrast and makes blues and greens read as vividly saturated under typical viewing angles. Brightness in opal grading describes the intensity of the play of color, and this opal ranks high in that category, with consistent, lively color flashes across the face. Clarity in opal is not assessed the same way as for faceted gems, because internal potch layers and minute inclusions are common. For this piece we observe a clean surface and no visible crazing or fracture lines under standard lighting, and the cabochon cut has been executed to preserve the opal layer while providing a smooth, well polished dome. As a doublet, the gem is an assembled item where a thin slice of precious opal is adhered to a dark ironstone backing, an enhancement that is disclosed and considered standard practice for thin opal material. Doublets intensify perceived color depth and contrast, and they also stabilize thin opal slices for practical use, which is important information for informed buyers.

When comparing reflective and optical qualities to other gemstones within the opal family, and to common alternatives used for richly colored jewelry, it is essential to describe the mechanism behind what you see. Opal play of color is a diffraction phenomenon caused by ordered silica spheres, and the result is a shifting, spectral display that depends on viewing angle and light source. Compared to solid black opal, which is prized for innate dark body tone and often commands a premium, a well made boulder doublet like this one can approach the same visual saturation because the ironstone backing acts much like a natural dark body tone. Against crystal opal, which shows color on a transparent to translucent ground, the boulder doublet displays stronger contrast and a more anchored appearance, because the host rock prevents light washout. Compared to triplets, which add a protective cap for durability and can exaggerate color through a domed cover, doublets preserve more of the opal character without an overlying cap, resulting in a more immediate and natural textural feel under the cabochon. Contrasted with faceted gemstones such as sapphire or spinel, which yield brilliance and fire through internal reflection and a high refractive index, opal provides iridescence rather than facet based sparkle, and this makes it complementary in mixed gem settings where movement and color play create a different type of visual interest.

For the educated buyer this Boulder Opal doublet represents a strong combination of aesthetic impact, practical size, and transparent disclosure of enhancement. The 2.03 carat weight and the 13.91 by 6.77 by 2.74 millimeter dimensions make it well suited to a pendant or an elegant bezel set ring where the cabochon profile can be protected and showcased. We recommend settings that shield the thin opal layer from direct impacts and that avoid prolonged exposure to ultrasonic cleaning or steam, because adhesives used in doublets can be sensitive to extreme treatments. A bezel setting with backing support is ideal, and routine care with gentle cleaning methods will preserve the excellent polish and bright play of color. At The Natural Gemstone Company we provide these technical details so buyers can compare this stone directly to solid opal, black opal, triplet and doublet alternatives, and make a purchase based on clear criteria such as body tone, brightness, surface condition, and origin. This opal is valuable for collectors and designers who want the saturated, oceanic blues and greens typical of Australian boulder opal, combined with the practical benefits of a stable mounted doublet, and it is offered with the accurate measurements and treatment disclosure that serious buyers require.