4.30 Ct. Black Opal from Australia

This is a finely presented Black Opal, weighing 4.30 carats, cut into an oval tablet shape with dimensions 11.67 x 8.75 x 5.91 mm, originating from Australia, offered by The Natural Gemstone Company. The stone is opaque with a pronounced multi color play, showing intense color intensity and an excellent polish. As a doublet, this opal consists of a thin natural opal layer adhered to a dark backing, a common and accepted enhancement method for presenting Australian black opal material with heightened contrast and durability. The tablet cut is chosen to maximize the broad flash and sheet like color patches, allowing vivid blues and greens to appear across the surface as the stone is viewed from different angles, while the dark backing deepens the apparent body tone, which is a primary factor in black opal valuation.

For the educated buyer, consider the grading points that make this piece desirable, including body tone, play of color, brightness, pattern, and condition. The dark body tone of a true Black Opal amplifies chromatic contrast, so the bright blue and green flashes visible in this specimen read with strong saturation and good brightness, which is an advantage over lighter opal types. The tablet cut preserves color consistency across the face, and the excellent polish contributes to optimal light return and an overall premium appearance. As a doublet, the stone offers better stability and cost efficiency compared to a solid black opal, but it requires specific setting and care considerations, such as secure bezel mounting to protect the thin opal layer, avoidance of prolonged immersion in water, and protection from harsh chemicals and rapid temperature changes. The Natural Gemstone Company can provide further documentation about the doublet construction and source origin, and we recommend professional setting advice to ensure longevity and to maximize the visual impact of this 4.30 carat Australian Black Opal. For collectors and designers seeking a vivid, compact example of black opal color play, this tablet cut doublet represents a strong balance of aesthetic appeal and practical wearability.