What is the rarest opal in Australia?
What is the rarest opal in Australia?
Of all the opal types, Australian black opal is the rarest and the most coveted among precious stone collectors. But even with all the knowledge we have of opal formation and play-of-colour, there’s still much to learn and rediscover about this remarkably iridescent gem.
How can I tell what kind of opal I have?
The variety of natural opal is determined by the two characteristics of body tone and transparency. Body Tone – The base tones of light, dark and black opal range from colourless, white, through the various shades of grey, to black. Transparency – Opal of any body colour will be opaque, translucent or transparent.
What opal is only found in Australia?
Australia’s Opal fields lie in the three states of Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia, along the site of the ancient ‘Great Inland Sea’, or ‘Great Artesian Basin’. White, or ‘Milky’ opal, is found in South Australia, Black opal is found in Lightning Ridge, NSW, and Boulder opal is found in Queensland.
What is the rarest type of opal?
Black opal is the most rare and highly valued form of opal, and has what is called a black (or dark) body tone. Black opals come in every colour of the rainbow. Their dark body tone makes the colours on the face of the opal appear rich and intense.
