Boulder Opal Pendant – Sterling Silver, 25×13mm, Dark Body, Flash of Colour

At 25×13mm this is a large stone for a pendant — it sits confidently, not daintily. The dark body pulls the flash of colour forward, so the play-of-colour reads clearly even in ordinary light. Set in a sterling silver bezel that keeps the stone the whole story, and hung on a rhodium-plated chain that resists tarnish. Queensland boulder opal at this size with a dark body is a piece you wear rather than tuck away.

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: 25×13mm
• Body Tone: Dark
• Brightness: Medium
• Pattern: Flash of colour
• Setting: Bezel
• Chain: Rhodium-plated sterling silver, 45cm
• Origin: Queensland, Australia
• Availability: One-of-a-kind — 1 piece available

Caring for Your Opal

Opal is softer than diamond or sapphire, so a little care goes a long way. See Opal Care for storage, cleaning, and what to avoid.

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