Is Black Opal rare?

There are white opals, boulder opals, jelly opals and crystal opals just to name a few. However, the black opal is the most rare and valuable.

What is the difference between opal and Black Opal?

Black Opals are usually mined in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, and are the most famous, and sought-after type of opal. The term ‘black opal’ does not mean that the stone is completely black (a common mistake), it simply means the stone has a dark body tone in comparison to a white opal.

What’s black opal worth?

Black-colored opal is in the highest demand. The price for black opal starts from $60 per carat (0.2 grams) and reaches up to $10,000 per carat. Common white opal can be purchased for $10-150 per carat. Blue and pink Peruvian opals’ value range from several dollars to many tens of dollars per carat.

Where is Black Opal mostly found?

Black opals are mostly mined in Lightning Ridge, in northern New South Wales. Lightning Ridge is famous for the black opal and hundreds of millions of dollars worth of black opals have been found there. In 2008, the black opal was named as the ‘gemstone emblem’ for New South Wales.