Australian Boulder Opal Specimen

This Australian Boulder Opal specimen has a rounded, pebble-like form with cream-toned ironstone crossed by dark brown veining. Broken sections of the matrix reveal bright green and blue flashes of opal colour catching the light as the piece turns. At 35 x 32 x 32mm and weighing around 43g, it sits comfortably in the hand and makes an eye-catching desk or cabinet piece.

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: 43g (0.043kg)
• Dimensions: 35 x 32 x 32mm
• Matrix / Host Rock: Cream-toned ironstone
• Finish: Appears polished (smooth, high-gloss surface visible in photos)
• Origin: Queensland, Australia
• Availability: One-of-a-kind — 1 piece available

Caring for Your Specimen

Handle this specimen by its ironstone body rather than pressing on the exposed opal patches. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heaters or other heat sources, since sudden temperature swings can stress the stone. Rest it on a stable, cushioned surface rather than a shelf edge — opal is softer than most display minerals and can chip if it's 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