2.37 Ct. Cabochon White Opal from Brazil

This 2.37 carat White Opal is an exceptional addition to a high end gemstone collection, offering a refined balance of weight, dimensions, shape, and natural play of color. The stone presents as an oval measuring 10.28 by 8.82 by 5.62 mm, fashioned as a cabochon cut to emphasize the internal diffraction phenomena that define opal aesthetics. Origin is Brazil, and the piece is unenhanced, retaining its natural body and optical properties. Clarity is graded as very slightly included, evaluated at eye level, indicating only minimal internal or surface features that do not detract from the overall visual performance. Color intensity is classified as medium, which yields a pleasing equilibrium between background body tone and the multi color flashes that animate the surface. The polish is excellent, providing a smooth, high gloss finish that maximizes light entry and the resultant play of color, and the overall presentation is consistent with the exacting standards collectors expect from The Natural Gemstone Company.

From a gemological perspective, this White Opal demonstrates classic structural characteristics that generate its multi color display. Opal is an amorphous hydrated silica, and its play of color derives from the diffraction of light by regular arrays of silica spheres. In this specimen, the cutting and orientation accentuate broad flashes of green and warm orange to red, with ancillary pinfire highlights that appear as the stone is rotated under direct light. The cabochon dome, at a depth of 5.62 mm relative to its face dimensions, is substantial and has been calibrated to optimize constructive interference across a range of viewing angles. The oval outline exhibits symmetrical faceting of the rim and a well centered apex, which together allow for uniform color distribution across the table. The opacity of the piece falls into the opaque White Opal category, where the body is sufficiently light to support internal dispersion without permitting excessive light transmission, creating an effect that reads as luminous rather than translucent.

The cutting and finishing history of the piece is evident in its surface quality and inclusion profile. The cabochon has been preformed to an even oval, then sequentially ground and sanded to remove undulations and align the internal play of color, concluding with a meticulous polishing regimen that results in an excellent polish. Polishing media typical for this level of finish include fine diamond abrasives for initial smoothing and cerium oxide for final luster, applied in controlled stages to avoid heat buildup and loss of water content. The clarity grade very slightly included, evaluated at eye level, reflects minor potch or micro inclusions concentrated near the pavilion and base, which are common in natural opals and do not interfere with the optical display when the stone is properly oriented in a setting. No enhancement has been applied, confirming the material is in its natural state without impregnation, dyeing, heating, or backing. Given opal physical properties including a Mohs hardness around 5.5 to 6.5 and sensitivity to sudden thermal shock and solvents, the piece benefits from protective mounting strategies in jewelry, such as bezel settings or partial bezels that shield the girdle and lower pavilion, while allowing the dome to catch light.

For the discerning collector, this White Opal from Brazil offers both aesthetic allure and technical merit, making it a perfect addition to a high end collection. Its combination of a compact yet substantial cabochon profile, balanced multi color play with dominant green and orange flashes, and a natural, unenhanced state supports strong provenance and conservational value. The stone is especially well suited to bespoke jewelry designs where the cutter or designer can orient the cabochon to maximize the broad flash across a ring or pendant face, or it can be retained as a cabinet specimen for study and connoisseur presentation. The Natural Gemstone Company stands behind the quality and origin information of this opal, and we can provide detailed imagery and orientation notes for setting and appraisal purposes. Collectors who value technical detailing, stable provenance, and refined finishing will find this oval multi color White Opal to be an exemplary piece to enhance a curated gemstone portfolio.