Australian Boulder Opal Specimen

This Australian Boulder Opal specimen is finished all the way around, so there's no single "front" — cream and pale blue opal shows on more than one face, framed by swirling brown and gold ironstone banding on the rest of the stone. At 90 x 75 x 75mm, it's a chunky, substantial piece that reads well from any angle it's turned to.

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
• Dimensions: 90 x 75 x 75mm
• Matrix / Host Rock: Ironstone
• Finish: Appears polished all-around
• Origin: Queensland, Australia
• Availability: One-of-a-kind — 1 piece available

Caring for Your Specimen

Given its size and weight, use both hands when picking this specimen up rather than lifting from one edge. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heaters or other heat sources, since sudden temperature swings can stress the stone. Display 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