Black Opals

They are made up of potch (non precious opal) and magnificent colors and patterns of precious opal. They are often referred too as one of the most beautiful gemstones in existence, and one of the greatest discoveries of mankind on Earth in recent times.

These types of opals are purchased for investment as the value of them has seen a steady rise since their initial discovery. They are also used in high end jewelry settings.

There are two types of black opals found in Lightning Ridge. Nobby Opal and Seam Opal. Nobby Opal is the formation of opal in ball like shapes, where the opal is formed inside a ‘nobby’ of potch (colorless opal). These are often found in clusters in underground mining in Lightning Ridge. Seam opal is found in the western area of Lightning Ridge, and is formed in pancake or sheet like formations in between rocks where the silica has seeped down in-between and formed opal over a very long time.

These types of opals with potch are non transparent. If you shine light onto them you will not be able to see through the Opal. They are classified as opals that have a dark body tone of N1-N4. The word ‘Black’ does not mean that the Opal is dull, dark or black. Some of the brightest and most beautiful opals are ‘black’. The term simply refers to the body tone of the stone.

Dark Opal is also found in the same region in Lightning Ridge. They have a dark body tone but not dark enough to be classified as a Black . Dark Opals have a body tone of N5 to N7.