Australian Boulder Opal Specimen

This Australian Boulder Opal specimen is a smooth, tumbled pebble shape with swirling concentric bands of gold and dark brown ironstone. A soft flash of opal colour sits within one of the bands, catching the light as the piece is turned. At 52 x 35 x 30mm and weighing around 60g, it's a compact, tactile piece that sits easily in the palm or on a small 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
• Weight: 60g (0.06kg)
• Dimensions: 52 x 35 x 30mm
• Matrix / Host Rock: Banded 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

Pick this specimen up by its ironstone body and avoid gripping directly over the opal seam. Keep it away from direct sun, heaters, and other sources of sudden temperature change, which can put stress on the stone over time. Store or 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