{"product_id":"opal-boulder-pendant-186","title":"Boulder Opal Pendant – Sterling Silver, Large 35×16mm, Blue","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\u003eThirty-five millimetres long. That's not a stone you tuck away — at 35×16mm this is the largest piece in the collection, a genuinely bold slab of Queensland ironstone carrying a sweep of blue opal colour across its face. Semi-dark body tone, medium brightness — the blue is deep and settled rather than electric, which is exactly right for a stone this size: it wears with authority rather than demanding your attention at volume. Boulder opal cut to this length follows the natural seam of the deposit, and the result is an elongated, sculptural shape that works beautifully as a statement pendant. Bezel-set in sterling silver on a 45cm rhodium-plated chain. If you've ever wanted to own a piece of Australian opal that genuinely makes a statement, this is it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout Boulder Opal\u003c\/h2\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\u003cp\u003eEach boulder opal is shaped by the natural geometry of the seam, so freeform and irregular shapes are common. The dark ironstone backing acts as a natural backdrop that intensifies the colour play above it — similar to how the dark body tone of a black opal works, but achieved by geology rather than gemmology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStone:\u003c\/strong\u003e Solid Australian Boulder Opal (natural, untreated, ironstone matrix)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 35×16mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour Play:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dominant blue\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody Tone:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-dark\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrightness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSetting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bezel, sterling silver\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChain:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rhodium-plated, 45cm\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 piece available\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCaring for Your Opal\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOpals are softer than diamonds or sapphires, so a little care keeps yours brilliant for generations. Boulder opal is more robust than other opal varieties thanks to its ironstone backing, but the precious opal layer still benefits from gentle treatment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAvoid knocks and hard impacts — store separately, ideally in a soft pouch or lined box\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eKeep away from extreme heat or sudden temperature changes\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eNever use ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, or harsh chemical cleaners\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eClean gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth — no detergents, no alcohol\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRemove before swimming, gardening, or anything rough\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTreated well, your opal will outlive you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery opal at Rocks On The Rocks is personally hand-selected by Joseph Bernecki — Polish-born, Australian-raised, and a 30+ year veteran of the Australian opal trade. Joseph sources direct from the fields at Lightning Ridge, Quilpie, Winton and Coober Pedy, and hand-picks each stone for its individual character before it's set in his Sydney workshop. You can meet him in person any weekend at The Rocks Market, stall under the bridge, Sydney.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"rotr-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIs this a natural Australian opal?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rotr-faq-answer\"\u003eYes — a solid, natural boulder opal from Queensland. The opal and the ironstone backing are one piece, formed together in the ground. Not a doublet, not a triplet, not synthetic.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"rotr-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhy is there ironstone on the back of the stone?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rotr-faq-answer\"\u003eBoulder opal naturally forms as veins of opal within ironstone matrix. The opal can't be separated from its host rock without destroying the stone, so it's cut and polished as one piece. The ironstone backing is part of the natural stone — and it makes boulder opals more durable than other opal varieties.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"rotr-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhere does boulder opal come from?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rotr-faq-answer\"\u003eAlmost exclusively from the opal fields of central and south-west Queensland — Quilpie, Yowah, and Winton are the major producers. Joseph sources direct from these fields.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"rotr-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIs the chain sterling silver?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rotr-faq-answer\"\u003eThe pendant setting is sterling silver. The chain is rhodium-plated — a platinum-group finish that resists tarnish and keeps the silver looking clean longer than uncoated silver.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"rotr-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eDoes it come with certification?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rotr-faq-answer\"\u003eEach piece is backed by Joseph's personal guarantee — 30+ years sourcing direct from the Australian fields. Formal independent certification can be arranged on request, at cost.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails class=\"rotr-faq\"\u003e\u003csummary\u003eDo you ship insured?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rotr-faq-answer\"\u003eAll pieces ship registered and fully insured within Australia. International shipping is available on request.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a one-of-a-kind piece. Once sold, it cannot be replicated. Every opal at Rocks On The Rocks is hand-selected by Joseph for its individual character and quality.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rocks On The Rocks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42651136262327,"sku":"1057","price":680.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0051\/9176\/1987\/files\/OpBldPd1057.1.jpg?v=1773819917","url":"https:\/\/www.rocksontherocks.com\/products\/opal-boulder-pendant-186","provider":"Rocks On The Rocks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}