Boulder Opal Necklace – Leather Cord, Blue & White Colour Play

This boulder opal is cut as a soft square with gently rounded, slightly curved edges — a "picture stone" cut that leaves the natural ironstone matrix visible around and running through the colour. Blue and white light plays across roughly half the stone's face, set against the dark grey-brown ironstone that borders it. The stone hangs from a simple black leather cord, giving it an easy, everyday way to wear a genuine piece of Australian boulder opal without a metal setting.

About Boulder Opal

Boulder opal forms as veins of precious opal within ironstone matrix in the opal fields of Queensland — primarily Quilpie, Yowah and Winton. Unlike black opal from Lightning Ridge, the opal cannot be separated from its host rock; it's cut as a single solid piece, with the natural brown ironstone remaining as the stone's backing. This gives boulder opal its distinctive look — vivid colour against rich earth tones — and also makes it physically more durable than other opals, since the ironstone host is harder than the opal layer it carries.

Specifications

• Stone: Boulder Opal
• Colour Play: Blue and white against dark ironstone matrix
• Shape: Square, rounded, semi-curved "picture stone" cut
• Cord: Black leather
• Origin: Queensland, Australia
• Availability: One-of-a-kind — 1 piece available

Caring for Your Opal

Opal is softer than diamond or sapphire, so a little care goes a long way. See Opal Care for storage, cleaning, and what to avoid.

Provenance

Hand-selected by Joseph Bernecki, sourced direct from the Australian opal fields and set in his Sydney workshop. Meet him any weekend at The Rocks Market, stall under the bridge, Sydney. Read Joseph's story →

Common Questions