Australian Boulder Opal Necklace on Leather – Amber Slab, Blue Vein Pattern

This boulder opal is cut as a flat rectangular slab, polished on both faces, with a small metal bail holding it onto a black leather cord. The surface is dominated by warm amber ironstone, split by a branching network of blue and violet veins that spreads across the stone like a river seen from above. It's a striking, graphic piece — more architectural than a rounded cabochon, and the flat faces let the colour play catch the light differently as it moves. Worn on its cord, it sits flat against the chest as a clean, contemporary 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: Branching blue and violet veins through amber ironstone
• Pattern: Dendritic vein pattern
• Shape: Flat rectangular slab
• Setting: Polished metal bail
• 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