5.60 Ct. White Opal from Australia

Offered by The Natural Gemstone Company, this specimen is a single opaque White Opal weighing 5.60 carats, presented in a fancy shape with dimensions of 18.12 x 15.18 x 2.67 mm. The gem has been fashioned with a tablet cut, which produces a broad, gently domed face that reveals a distributed, multi color play within the body of the stone. Color intensity is classified as medium, and the surface finish is described as excellent polish. The opal is of Australian origin, and there has been no enhancement applied. These measured attributes define both the visual presentation and practical considerations for setting and wearing, and they permit accurate comparison against industry standards for white opal material.

Optical characteristics are defined by an internal dispersion of greens, blues, and occasional flashes of warmer hues that manifest across the tablet plane. The tablet cut maximizes the stone face area, allowing color patches to be read easily from multiple viewing angles, while the medium intensity indicates a vibrant but not overpowering display of play of color. Because the piece is opaque, the colors appear as surface oriented patches and flashes rather than as transparent layers, which is typical for White Opal material from Australia. The excellent polish enhances the clarity of these color patches and ensures smooth light return, improving perceived color saturation and contour definition when set in a jewelry mounting.

When set in jewelry, the multi color presentation of this White Opal offers versatile complementarity to a range of skin tones. On fair skin the cooler blue and green flashes provide a crisp contrast that can accentuate porcelain and rosier undertones, white metal settings such as platinum or rhodium plated white gold will reinforce that cool visual effect. On light to medium skin tones where neutral and warm undertones are present, the opal’s mixed color palette harmonizes with both white metal and yellow gold settings, with yellow gold emphasizing warmer flashes and white metal maintaining overall color balance. On olive skin tones the green and blue elements can appear especially lively, and rose gold can introduce a subtle warmth that integrates with the skin’s underlying hue. On deeper skin tones the medium intensity color of the opal reads clearly without appearing subdued, bright green and blue flashes can create strong focal contrast, and both yellow gold and high polish white metals can be chosen to either complement or frame the stone for visual emphasis. Setting style also affects perception, a bezel setting provides a continuous metal frame that can mute edge reflections and is advisable for daily wear, while a prong setting allows greater light interaction with the tablet surface, enhancing visible play of color. Surrounding accent stones such as small diamonds can be used to increase apparent brightness, whereas satin or brushed metal finishes will soften contrast.

Practical considerations include the relative softness and sensitivity of opal material, which has a typical Mohs hardness range approximately 5.5 to 6.5. The tablet cut and shallow profile reduce the risk of chipping from the table area, but care in mounting and use remains important. Avoid ultrasonic cleaning, steam cleaning, and exposure to harsh chemicals or sudden temperature changes, as these can induce crazing or internal stress in natural opal material. For rings intended for frequent wear, protective bezel mounts or rub over settings are recommended to shield the gem edges. For pendants and earrings where impact exposure is lower, prong settings are effective at maximizing the gem face visibility. Because this opal has not been enhanced, documentation of origin and treatment status should be retained for provenance and valuation purposes. The Natural Gemstone Company provides measured specifications and photographic documentation to assist designers and clients in evaluating setting options and long term care strategies, ensuring the gem’s appearance is preserved and presented according to professional standards.