• Australian Boulder Opal Necklace on Leather – Lavender-Pink, Ironstone Matrix
  • Australian Boulder Opal Necklace on Leather – Lavender-Pink, Ironstone Matrix
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Rocks On The Rocks

Australian Boulder Opal Necklace on Leather – Lavender-Pink, Ironstone Matrix

Australian Boulder Opal Necklace on Leather – Lavender-Pink, Ironstone Matrix

$165.00 AUD
$165.00 AUD
Sale Sold out
Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

This boulder opal hangs from a black leather cord, threaded straight through the stone with no metal setting. The teardrop cabochon shows an unusually soft palette for boulder opal — lavender-pink shading into warm peach across the body, with dark patches of natural ironstone matrix breaking through at the edges where the host rock hasn't been polished away. That contrast between the pastel colour play and the raw, textured matrix gives the piece a lot of character up close. Worn on its adjustable cord, it sits as a simple, one-of-a-kind pendant.

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: Lavender-pink shading into peach, with dark ironstone matrix at the edges
  • Shape: Freeform teardrop cabochon
  • Setting: None — cord threaded directly through the stone
  • Chain: Adjustable black leather cord
  • Origin: Queensland, Australia (boulder opal fields)
  • 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

Is this a natural Australian boulder opal?
Yes — a solid, untreated boulder opal from Queensland. The dark matrix at the edges is the natural ironstone host rock, not an added backing; boulder opal is cut as one piece with its host left in place, rather than separated the way black opal is.
Why is some of the stone rough and dark instead of polished?
Those darker patches are the natural ironstone matrix the opal formed within. Boulder opal is cut to follow the vein of colour rather than shaped into a uniform cabochon, so pockets of host rock are often left visible at the edges — it's part of the stone's natural character, not a flaw.
Can the cord be adjusted or swapped for a chain?
The leather cord is adjustable via sliding knots, so it can sit higher or lower on the neckline. If you'd prefer a silver or gold chain in place of the leather, get in touch and we can arrange it.
Certification, shipping, returns?
Every piece is backed by Joseph's personal guarantee, ships fully insured within Australia, and can be returned within 14 days. See Buying an Opal for the full breakdown.
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