• Boulder Opal Specimen – 110x95x55mm, 830g, Blue Veins, Western QLD
  • Boulder Opal Specimen – 110x95x55mm, 830g, Blue Veins, Western QLD
  • Boulder Opal Specimen – 110x95x55mm, 830g, Blue Veins, Western QLD
  • Boulder Opal Specimen – 110x95x55mm, 830g, Blue Veins, Western QLD
1 4

Rocks On The Rocks

Boulder Opal Specimen – 110x95x55mm, 830g, Blue Veins, Western QLD

Boulder Opal Specimen – 110x95x55mm, 830g, Blue Veins, Western QLD

$550.00 AUD
$550.00 AUD
Sale Sold out
Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

This is a substantial boulder opal specimen from the fields of Western Queensland — a dense ironstone boulder with a naturally flat base, cut through by wide veins of blue opal that surface across two broad faces. The opal shows as a pale cream-to-tan colour threaded with electric blue, set directly against the boulder's dark, weathered ironstone skin. At 830g and over 100mm across, it has real presence as a stand-alone piece — the kind of specimen that shows exactly how boulder opal forms, opal and host rock still locked together as they were pulled from the ground.

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: Natural Australian boulder opal, rough specimen
  • Weight: 830g
  • Dimensions: 110 x 95 x 55mm
  • Colour Play: Blue veins running through cream-to-tan opal
  • Matrix: Natural ironstone boulder, flat base, opal running through in veins
  • Origin: Western Queensland, Australia
  • Availability: One-of-a-kind — 1 piece available

Caring for Your Specimen

This is a natural opal specimen meant for display rather than wear. Handle it by the base rather than the thinnest edges, and keep it somewhere it won't be knocked or dropped — opal is softer than many other minerals and chips easily along an edge. Avoid sudden temperature changes, such as moving it from a cold room straight into direct sun or near a heater. A soft, dry cloth is enough to keep it dust-free.

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 — this is a natural, untreated boulder opal specimen from Western Queensland. The opal has not been separated from its ironstone host; that's simply how boulder opal forms and is traditionally kept and displayed.
Why is the opal still attached to the rock?
Boulder opal forms as veins within ironstone rather than as a stand-alone stone, so it can't be separated from its host without destroying the colour. Leaving the ironstone in place is standard practice for boulder opal and is part of what gives it its distinctive look.
Does it stand upright on its own?
Yes — this piece has a naturally flat base and sits upright without a stand, so it can be displayed directly on a shelf or desk.
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.
View full details