{"product_id":"australian-opal-boulder-gold-earrings-2301","title":"Boulder Opal Earrings – 18K Gold, 6.24ct TCW, Green, Diamond Accents","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e.rotr-faq { border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; padding: 14px 4px; margin: 0; } .rotr-faq:first-of-type { border-top: 1px solid #e5e5e5; } .rotr-faq \u003e summary { cursor: pointer; font-weight: 600; list-style: none; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; padding: 4px 0; outline: none; } .rotr-faq \u003e summary::-webkit-details-marker { display: none; } .rotr-faq \u003e summary::after { content: \"+\"; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1; margin-left: 12px; transition: transform 0.2s ease; } .rotr-faq[open] \u003e summary::after { content: \"−\"; } .rotr-faq-answer { margin: 10px 0 0 0; }\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt 6.24 carats combined, this is a substantial pair. Boulder opal earrings in this weight range are genuinely uncommon — the ironstone matrix that makes boulder opal durable also makes it heavier than a comparable crystal or black opal, so pair weights above 5ct represent real stone. Both stones are bezel-set in 18K yellow gold with small diamond accents framing each opal, the diamonds throwing a quiet sparkle that doesn't compete with the green colour play running across the semi-dark boulder body. These are earrings that carry presence without demanding it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Boulder Opal\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoulder 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStone:\u003c\/strong\u003e Boulder Opal\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTotal Carat Weight (TCW):\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.24ct (pair)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour Play:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strong green\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody Tone:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-dark\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSetting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bezel\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAccent Stones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small bezel-set diamonds\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMetal:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18K yellow gold\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClosure Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Post and butterfly\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Queensland, Australia\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e One-of-a-kind — 1 pair available\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCaring for Your Opal\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOpal is softer than diamond or sapphire, so a little care goes a long way. See \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/opal-care\"\u003eOpal Care\u003c\/a\u003e for storage, cleaning, and what to avoid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHand-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. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/about-rocks-on-the-rocks\"\u003eRead Joseph's story →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"rotr-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow are these worn?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rotr-faq-answer\"\u003eThese earrings use a post-and-butterfly fitting — the gold post passes through pierced ears and the butterfly back clips on from behind, holding the earring securely in place. It's the standard, reliable fitting for heavier earrings and is easy to put on and take off.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"rotr-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat does semi-dark body tone mean?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rotr-faq-answer\"\u003eSemi-dark means the background of the stone sits between a light-bodied opal and a fully black one — dark enough that the green colour play reads with real contrast and depth, warm enough that the stone doesn't look heavy or opaque. In boulder opal, the ironstone backing adds its own earthy tone alongside the opal layer, giving semi-dark boulders a particularly rich, layered look.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"rotr-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIs this a natural Australian opal?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rotr-faq-answer\"\u003eYes — solid, untreated boulder opal from Queensland. Not a doublet, not a triplet, not synthetic. Two stones, natural colour.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"rotr-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eCertification, shipping, returns?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rotr-faq-answer\"\u003eEvery piece is backed by Joseph's personal guarantee, ships fully insured within Australia, and can be returned within 14 days. See \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/buying-an-opal\"\u003eBuying an Opal\u003c\/a\u003e for the full breakdown.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e","brand":"Rocks On The Rocks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837931385015,"sku":"2301","price":4450.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0051\/9176\/1987\/files\/OpBldErr1508.5.jpg?v=1744012157","url":"https:\/\/www.rocksontherocks.com\/products\/australian-opal-boulder-gold-earrings-2301","provider":"Rocks On The Rocks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}