• Australian Boulder Opal 18K Gold Pendant
  • Australian Boulder Opal 18K Gold Pendant
  • Australian Boulder Opal 18K Gold Pendant
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Rocks On The Rocks

Boulder Opal Pendant – 18K Gold, Semi-Dark, Blue Flash of Colour

Boulder Opal Pendant – 18K Gold, Semi-Dark, Blue Flash of Colour

$1,550.00 AUD
$1,550.00 AUD
Sale Sold out
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At 15×7mm this is a wearable but substantial stone — long enough to sit with presence against the neckline, and narrow enough to read as elegant rather than bold. The background is semi-dark, that sweet spot where the ironstone host is rich enough to give the colour real contrast but not so heavy that the stone feels opaque. Across that backdrop runs a flash of colour that pulls blue first, with green coming in as the light shifts — the kind of movement you notice when the wearer turns, not just when you hold it under a lamp. Set in claw-style 18K yellow gold, which lifts the stone slightly off the finger-plate and lets light reach it from more angles.

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: 15×7mm
  • Colour Play: Blue and green
  • Body Tone: Semi-dark
  • Brightness: Medium
  • Pattern: Flash of colour
  • Setting: Claw / prong, 18K yellow gold
  • Chain: 18K yellow gold-plated, 45cm
  • Origin: Queensland, Australia
  • Treatment: Solid — natural, untreated
  • 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

What does semi-dark body tone mean?
Semi-dark means the background of the stone sits between a light-bodied opal and a fully black one. It's dark enough to give the colour real contrast — so the blue and green flash stands out rather than washing out — but light enough that the stone still reads warm and earthy rather than heavy. For boulder opal especially, the semi-dark tone works with the natural ironstone to create depth rather than just surface flash.
Is the chain solid gold or plated?
The pendant setting is solid 18K yellow gold. The chain is 18K yellow gold-plated — a standard pairing that keeps the piece accessible without compromising the setting. A solid 18K chain upgrade is available on request.
Is this a natural Australian opal?
Yes — a solid, untreated Boulder Opal from Queensland. Not a doublet, not a triplet, not synthetic. One stone, natural colour.
Certification, shipping, returns?
Every piece is backed by Joseph's personal guarantee, ships fully insured within Australia, and can be returned within 14 days. See Buying an Opal for the full breakdown.

Each piece is one-of-a-kind. Once this stone sells, there is no other like it.

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