Boulder Opal Pendant – 18K Gold, 1.75ct, Square Bezel, Diamond Accent

This 1.75ct Queensland boulder opal catches light the way ironstone country does at dusk — a deep blue that dominates, broken by flashes of red that come and go as the stone moves. The setting is an unusual square bezel in solid 18K yellow gold, a clean geometric cut that frames the colour play without competing with it. A small bezel-set diamond accent sits at the perimeter of the design, adding a single point of white light against the gold. The stone is solid and natural — no treatments, no backing layers — and the piece hangs on a 45 cm 18K gold-plated chain.

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 (solid, natural)
• Carat Weight: 1.75ct
• Colour Play: Blue (dominant) and red (secondary)
• Brightness: Bright
• Setting: Bezel set with a small diamond accent
• Metal: 18K yellow gold
• Chain: 18K yellow gold-plated, 45 cm
• 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