• Australian Boulder Opal Specimen – Blue-Purple Opal on Ironstone, 0.47kg
  • Australian Boulder Opal Specimen – Blue-Purple Opal on Ironstone, 0.47kg
  • Australian Boulder Opal Specimen – Blue-Purple Opal on Ironstone, 0.47kg
  • Australian Boulder Opal Specimen – Blue-Purple Opal on Ironstone, 0.47kg
  • Australian Boulder Opal Specimen – Blue-Purple Opal on Ironstone, 0.47kg
  • Australian Boulder Opal Specimen – Blue-Purple Opal on Ironstone, 0.47kg
  • Australian Boulder Opal Specimen – Blue-Purple Opal on Ironstone, 0.47kg
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Rocks On The Rocks

Australian Boulder Opal Specimen – Blue-Purple Opal on Ironstone, 0.47kg

Australian Boulder Opal Specimen – Blue-Purple Opal on Ironstone, 0.47kg

$850.00 AUD
$850.00 AUD
Sale Sold out
Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

This boulder opal specimen from Western Queensland is dominated by deep blue and purple colour, with a thin seam of green flashing through in places. The opal sits directly on its natural ironstone base, and the visible surface appears to have been polished to bring out the colour across its rounded form rather than left in a raw, unworked state. At 0.47kg it has real substance in the hand — a striking, one-of-a-kind piece for anyone who collects boulder opal for its colour rather than its cut.

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 specimen
  • Weight: 0.47kg
  • Colour Play: Deep blue and purple, with hints of green flash
  • Matrix: Natural ironstone base
  • Finish:  Partially polished and unpolished
  • 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 — a natural, untreated boulder opal specimen from Western Queensland. The opal remains attached to its ironstone host, which is standard for boulder opal.
Is this specimen polished?
The visible surface appears to have been polished to bring out the colour, while the ironstone base is left in its natural state — a common way of finishing a boulder opal specimen for display.
Why is the colour mostly blue and purple?
Blue and purple are the most common colours in opal's play-of-colour, produced when the microscopic silica spheres inside the stone are slightly smaller than in stones that flash red or orange. It doesn't reflect on quality — it's simply this stone's natural colour range.
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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