Boulder Opal Pendant – 18K Gold, Small Teardrop Stone 2065

This boulder opal pendant sets a small, teardrop-shaped Queensland boulder opal in 18 karat yellow gold, worn on a black cord. The stone has a soft, pale colour palette — green and turquoise tones drifting through a cream and tan body, with the opal's natural ironstone backing framing the edge in dark specks. It's a quieter, more understated boulder opal than the bold high-contrast pieces the region is also known for — a good everyday stone rather than a statement piece.

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 (solid)
• Colour Play: Green and turquoise tones on a cream/tan body
• Setting: 18K Yellow Gold
• Chain: Black cord
• 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