Boulder Opal Pendant – Silver, Blue-Violet Flash

This boulder opal pendant carries the raw energy of the Queensland outback in a single polished slice of stone. Deep burnt-orange and toffee-brown ironstone frames a vein of natural precious opal, and within it flashes of blue and violet catch the light as the piece moves. The stone is cut as a single solid piece — nothing is layered or backed — so what you see is exactly what nature laid down in the rock. Set simply on a silver bail and chain, it reads unfussy and wearable: a rugged little landscape you can carry against your skin, equally at home dressed up or thrown on with a plain white tee.

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: Australian Boulder Opal
• Colour Play: Blue and violet flashes against warm orange-brown ironstone
• Shape: Rectangular cabochon
• Setting: Silver bail
• Chain: Silver chain
• 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