Australian Boulder Opal Specimen – Fine Silver Crab Overlay, 70x70x65mm, 0.49kg

This Australian Boulder Opal specimen has been carved into a small sculptural piece: a rounded ironstone form wrapped in a fine silver overlay, with a sea crab worked into the pattern amid abstract line and lattice work. One face is left open, showing vivid blue colour play through the natural opal against the dark matrix. The silverwork is stamped 999, meaning it's fine (pure) silver rather than a sterling alloy, and the base carries a felt pad so the piece sits flat without needing a separate stand.

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 (natural ironstone matrix)
• Weight: 0.49kg
• Dimensions: 70 x 70 x 65mm
• Colour Play: Blue
• Detail: Hand-carved fine silver overlay (stamped 999), sea crab and abstract pattern
• Base: Felt-padded base, sits flat without a separate stand
• Origin: Queensland, Australia
• Availability: One-of-a-kind — 1 piece available

Caring for Your Opal Specimen

Boulder opal is more durable than solid opal because of its ironstone backing, but the fine silver overlay on this piece is soft and worth handling carefully. Hold it by the body rather than the raised carved edges, keep it away from sudden temperature swings, and avoid knocking it against hard surfaces. Dust with a soft, dry cloth; fine silver can tarnish over time and can be cleaned gently with a standard silver polishing cloth, taking care to avoid the opal face. Keep away from direct, prolonged heat sources.

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 →

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