Australian Boulder Opal Specimen

This Australian Boulder Opal specimen pairs vivid opal seams with its natural ironstone host in a compact, polished piece. Concentric banding sweeps across the surface in warm browns and tans, broken by veins of opal that flash blue and green as the light catches them. At 55 x 40 x 20mm and weighing around 50g, it's substantial enough to hold and appreciate, small enough to sit comfortably on a shelf or in a display cabinet.

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
• Weight: 50g (0.05kg)
• Dimensions: 55 x 40 x 20mm
• Matrix / Host Rock: Ironstone
• Finish: Appears polished (high-gloss surface visible in photos)
• Origin: Queensland, Australia
• Availability: One-of-a-kind — 1 piece available

Caring for Your Specimen

As a natural mineral specimen, handle it by the ironstone body rather than gripping across the opal seams. Display away from direct sunlight and heat sources, and avoid sudden temperature changes, which can stress the stone over time. Keep it on a stable, cushioned surface away from shelf edges — opal is comparatively soft and can chip if knocked or dropped.

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