3.36 Ct. Cabochon Boulder Opal from Australia

This listing describes a single, opaque Boulder Opal presented by The Natural Gemstone Company, weighing 3.36 carats, and fashioned into an oval shape. The stone measures 12.54 x 8.72 x 4.17 mm, and it has been cut as a cabochon to maximize the display of its play of color. The opal has an intense color intensity, and it exhibits an excellent polish across the dome and girdle. The material is an assembled specimen, offered as a doublet, and the origin is Australia. These factual attributes summarize the physical and treatment characteristics that inform suitability for design and setting, and they are presented here to assist precise evaluation by jewelers and collectors.

The visual character of this multi color Boulder Opal is defined by its varied color flashes across a predominantly opaque body. The cabochon profile produces a broad, uninterrupted surface for the phenomenon of iridescence to manifest, making the color appear to move and shift with changes in angle and light source. This dynamic interaction produces a strong visual presence when mounted, allowing the bright flashes of color to register immediately against both light and dark metal settings. In a bezel setting the rounded dome presents a continuous color surface that is read from a single glance, while in an open setting the play of color benefits from transmitted light, emphasizing depth and translucence in areas where the opal layer is thinner. The intensity rating reflects that the color saturation is robust, and that individual hues remain distinct even under moderated illumination, features that contribute directly to the stone standing out in any jewelry context.

From a technical perspective the dimensions and cut inform both aesthetic balance and practical considerations for mounting. At 12.54 x 8.72 mm the oval profile is versatile for a center stone in rings, pendants, and brooches. The cabochon height of 4.17 mm provides sufficient material thickness to allow secure bezel or prong engagement, while minimizing the risk of exposure to direct impact when set properly. As a doublet the stone comprises a thin slice of precious opal adhered to a backing, a method that enhances apparent color by providing a darker base and increases usable surface area of valuable opal material. Jewelers should account for the layered structure when planning settings, ensuring that adhesives and backing materials are protected from solvents and extreme heat during fabrication. The excellent polish improves the optical transmission of color, and the smooth dome reduces the propensity for surface wear, but as with all opal material the relative hardness and sensitivity to sudden temperature changes should guide the choice of setting and daily wear expectations.

Provenance and treatment disclosure are important for accurate valuation and long term care. This Boulder Opal doublet originates in Australia, a source known for a broad range of opal types and quality levels. The Natural Gemstone Company provides this technical disclosure to clarify that the present specimen is a doublet, and that the color effect is natural to the opal layer, enhanced in appearance by the backing. Care recommendations for such assembled opals include avoiding prolonged exposure to household chemicals, aggressive ultrasonic cleaning, and extreme thermal shock, all of which can compromise adhesives or the opal layer itself. Routine maintenance is best performed with a soft cloth and a mild soap solution, with all cleaning agents rinsed and drying completed at ambient temperatures. When incorporated into a design, consider protective mounting choices that limit edge exposure, such as a full bezel or partial protective gallery, to preserve the integrity of the opal layer and sustain the clarity of the color play over time.

In summary this 3.36 carat oval Boulder Opal doublet presents a dependable combination of substantial size, intense multi color display, and a refined cabochon finish, attributes that enable it to stand out in a wide range of jewelry settings. The dimensions and polish allow for thoughtful design choices that protect the layered structure while showcasing the opal s inherent visual dynamism. The Natural Gemstone Company offers this description to assist professionals and discerning buyers in assessing suitability for design, setting, and long term care, providing a transparent account of the stone s characteristics, enhancements, and origin.