{"product_id":"australian-boulder-opal-gold-pendant-2098","title":"Boulder Opal Pendant – 18K Gold, 3.92ct, Broadflash 2098","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e.rotr-faq { border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; padding: 14px 4px; margin: 0; } .rotr-faq:first-of-type { border-top: 1px solid #e5e5e5; } .rotr-faq \u003e summary { cursor: pointer; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; padding: 4px 0; outline: none; } .rotr-faq \u003e summary::-webkit-details-marker { display: none; } .rotr-faq \u003e summary::after { content: \"+\"; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1; margin-left: 12px; transition: transform 0.2s ease; } .rotr-faq[open] \u003e summary::after { content: \"−\"; } .rotr-faq-answer { margin: 10px 0 0 0; }\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt 3.92 carats and 20×9mm, this is a pendant that wears with presence. The stone is a solid Queensland boulder opal — the ironstone matrix cut away to reveal a broad, unbroken sweep of colour across the entire face. When the piece moves, the broadflash pattern rolls through in one wide arc rather than breaking into scattered points: an effect that draws the eye and holds it. Set in a bezel of solid 18K yellow gold, the warm metal and the earth-toned ironstone backing pull in the same direction, making the colour play read even brighter by contrast. A striking piece for someone who wears jewellery to be noticed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Boulder Opal\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoulder 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStone:\u003c\/strong\u003e Boulder Opal\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCarat Weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3.92ct\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 × 9 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody Tone:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-dark\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrightness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePattern:\u003c\/strong\u003e Broadflash\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSetting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bezel, solid 18K yellow gold\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChain:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18K yellow gold-plated, 45 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Queensland, Australia\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e One-of-a-kind — 1 piece available\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCaring for Your Opal\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOpal is softer than diamond or sapphire, so a little care goes a long way. See \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/opal-care\"\u003eOpal Care\u003c\/a\u003e for storage, cleaning, and what to avoid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHand-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. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/about-rocks-on-the-rocks\"\u003eRead Joseph's story →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails class=\"rotr-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat is a broadflash pattern?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rotr-faq-answer\"\u003eBroadflash means the colour across the stone face appears as one wide, unbroken sweep rather than being broken up into smaller dots or patches. When the pendant moves in the light, you see a single band of colour roll across the stone face — the way a wave rolls rather than the way rain falls. It's one of the more dramatic patterns a stone can show, because the entire face turns colour at once.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails class=\"rotr-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat's the difference between boulder opal and black opal?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rotr-faq-answer\"\u003eBlack opal comes from Lightning Ridge in New South Wales and is cut as a standalone stone — the opal fully separated from its host rock. Boulder opal comes from Queensland and can't be separated from the ironstone it grew inside; the ironstone stays as the stone's natural backing. Both are solid, natural opals with genuine colour play. Black opal is valued for its dark backdrop and concentrated fire; boulder opal is valued for its earthy character, natural durability, and the way the ironstone and opal read as one piece. Neither is better — they're different materials with different personalities.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails class=\"rotr-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIs the chain solid gold or plated?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rotr-faq-answer\"\u003eThe pendant setting is solid 18K yellow gold. The chain is 18K yellow gold-plated — a standard pairing that keeps the piece accessible without compromising the setting. A solid 18K chain upgrade is available on request.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails class=\"rotr-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIs this a natural Australian opal?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rotr-faq-answer\"\u003eYes — a solid, untreated boulder opal from Queensland. Not a doublet, not a triplet, not synthetic. One stone, natural colour.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails class=\"rotr-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eCertification, shipping, returns?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rotr-faq-answer\"\u003eEvery piece is backed by Joseph's personal guarantee, ships fully insured within Australia, and can be returned within 14 days. See \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/buying-an-opal\"\u003eBuying an Opal\u003c\/a\u003e for the full breakdown.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e","brand":"Rocks On The Rocks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44974371668151,"sku":"2098","price":2600.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0051\/9176\/1987\/files\/IMG_3526.jpg?v=1748953563","url":"https:\/\/www.rocksontherocks.com\/products\/australian-boulder-opal-gold-pendant-2098","provider":"Rocks On The Rocks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}