Buy Australian Opal Online

Every opal filmed in 4K. Natural and untreated. Direct from Australian miners.

Established 2012

5,000+ Opals Sold

60+ Countries

Free Shipping Over $200

No Tariffs, No GST, No VAT

Opals from $50 to $50,000+

Established 2012

5,000+ Opals Sold

60+ Countries

Free Shipping Over $200

No Tariffs, No GST, No VAT

Opals from $50 to $50,000+

“Every opal is one of a kind. Once sold, It cannot be replaced.”

See How We Document Every Opal

“Every opal listed on Opal Galaxy includes a video like this showing the exact stone you will receive.”

How Buying Opal Online Works at Opal Galaxy

Step 1: Browse

Explore our collection of natural Australian opals. Filter by type, price, shape, or color.

Step 2: Watch the 4k Video

Every opal has a professional 4K video showing the exact stone under standardised LED lighting. What you see is exactly what you receive.

Step 3: Purchase Securely

Pay by credit card, PayPal, or direct transfer. No additional GST, VAT, or tariffs. The checkout price is the final price worldwide.

Step 4: Receive Your Opal

Your opal ships fully insured with tracking and signature required delivery. Free shipping on all orders over $200.

Shop Australian Opal by Type

Buy Australian opal online: black opal with Chinese writing pattern from Opal Galaxy

Buy Lightning Ridge Black Opal

Price Range: $100 to $50,000+ per carat
Origin: Lightning Ridge, New South Wales

The world’s rarest and most valuable opal. Black opal’s dark body color makes fire appear intensely vivid. Lightning Ridge is the only place on Earth where black opal is mined at commercial scale.

harlequin boulder opal 14.7 ct held between fingers showing strong fire pattern

Buy Queensland Boulder Opal

Price Range: $10 to $7,000 per carat
Origin: Queensland (Winton, Koroit, Yowah)

Natural opal formed on ironstone. The dark ironstone backing creates strong color contrast. Each stone has a unique freeform shape dictated by the natural opal vein within the rock.

Light crystal opal held between fingers with soft blue green and pastel flashes for the opal zodiac star signs page

Buy Crystal Opal

Price Range: $30 to $3,000+ per carat
Origin: Lightning Ridge (NSW), Coober Pedy (SA)

Transparent to semi transparent opal that allows light to pass through. Black crystal opals from Lightning Ridge can rival solid black opal in value.

Opal Doublet 16.1ct Red Multicolor Fire

Buy Opal Doublet

Price Range: $5 to $500 per carat
Origin: Coober Pedy, South Australia

Opal doublets use a thin layer of natural opal with a dark backing to enhance color. A more affordable option with strong, vibrant fire.

green black opal 1.39 ct set in 18k white gold ring held by hand showing vivid green fire

Buy Finished Opal Jewelry

Price Range: $100 to $30,000+
Metals: Platinum, 18K Gold, Sterling Silver

Finished Australian opal jewelry including rings, pendants, and earrings. Every piece features certified natural opal with full origin documentation.

10 Piece Gem Boulder Opal Rubs Parcel 32.6g group shot

Buy Rough Opal

Price Range: $50 to $5,000+ per parcel
Origin: Lightning Ridge (NSW), Queensland

Uncut natural opal material for cutters, collectors, and those who want to experience opal in its raw form.

Opal: The October Birthstone

Opal is the official birthstone for the month of October, as designated by the American Gem Society and the Jewelers of America. Opal is also recognised as the national gemstone of Australia, declared officially in 1994. Unlike most birthstones which display a single color, opal is the only birthstone that can show every color of the spectrum in a single stone. A black opal from Lightning Ridge with multicolor fire literally contains a full rainbow trapped inside the gem. Opal Galaxy offers natural Australian opals and opal jewelry suitable for October birthstone gifts at every price point, from affordable white opals starting under $100 to collector grade Lightning Ridge black opals and finished opal rings, pendants, and earrings set in platinum, gold, and sterling silver.

Get notified when new October birthstone opals are added

Why Buy from Opal Galaxy

Opal-Association-Incorporated-logo

Certified Authentic Opals

Every stone is verified as natural and sourced from members of the Opal Association of Australia and the International Gem Society. Authenticity guaranteed or full refund.

4K Video Documentation

Each opal is filmed in 4K under professional LED lighting. You can view multiple angles and full rotation. The stone shown in the video is exactly what you will receive.

No Hidden Fees Worldwide

There are no additional GST, VAT, or import charges on your purchase. The price at checkout is final. We provide free insured shipping on all orders over $200.

Expert Cutting and Selection

With over 13 years of experience in Australian opals, every stone is carefully cut and personally selected by highly skilled professionals.

Boulder opal mining desktop wallpaper showing excavator working in Australian opal mining landscape

Direct from Australian Miners

Our opals are sourced directly from miners that we know and trust in Lightning Ridge, Winton, Koroit, Yowah, and Coober Pedy. No middlemen involved.

Secure Payment Options

Pay securely using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, or direct bank transfer. All transactions are encrypted, and delivery requires a signature with a full receipt provided.

About Opal Galaxy

Opal Galaxy is an Australian registered company established in 2012 by Yuka Hatano and Michael Shepherd. The company is a member of the Opal Association of Australia and the International Gem Society. Opal Galaxy specialises exclusively in natural, untreated Australian opals sourced directly from miners and cutters working the opal fields of Lightning Ridge (New South Wales), Queensland, and South Australia. 

Opal Galaxy works with one of the world’s most experienced opal cutters, which is why the polish and finish quality is consistently superior to most other sellers. The company does not sell triplets, synthetic opals, or treated opals of any kind. Opal Galaxy does sell opal doublets, which are always clearly labelled and never misrepresented as solid opals.

Every opal is documented with professional 4K video under standardised LED lighting showing the exact stone the buyer will receive. 

The company has shipped over 5,000 opals to buyers in more than 60 countries since 2012. Opal Galaxy does not charge any additional GST, VAT, or tariffs on purchases made through the website.

The checkout price is the final price for all customers worldwide. Opal Galaxy offers a lifetime guarantee against natural cracks and provides certificates of authenticity on request.

Yuka Hatano Co-Founder and Director of Opal Galaxy

Yuka Hatano
Co-Founder & Director

Michael Shepherd Co-Founder and Director of Opal Galaxy

Michael Shepherd
Co-Founder & Director

Trusted by Collectors & Jewelers Worldwide

New to Buying Australian Opal Online?

When you buy Australian opal online, the experience is different from purchasing diamonds or other gemstones. Every opal is completely unique, so there is no standardised grading system like the 4Cs used for diamonds. This means the quality of the seller matters more than with almost any other gemstone.The most important safeguard when buying opal online is video documentation.

Photos can be edited, filters can enhance colors, and lighting can be manipulated. Unedited video under standardised LED lighting is the only reliable way to see the true brightness, color, pattern, and any flaws in a stone before purchasing. Opal Galaxy provides professional 4K video of every opal, showing the exact stone that will be shipped.

When evaluating an opal, the factors that determine value are brightness (how vivid the fire appears), body color (darker is more valuable), fire color (red is rarest and most valuable), pattern (harlequin is rarest), origin (Lightning Ridge commands the highest premiums), and carat weight. For a complete guide to these factors, read our Australian opal buying guide.For gemological standards on opal, see the International Gem Society opal guide.

Australian opals are the global standard for quality. Australia produces over 90% of the world’s precious opal supply. Ethiopian opals are the primary alternative but are hydrophane (absorb water), less stable for jewelry use, and typically sell for 80 to 90% less per carat than comparable Australian material.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Opal Galaxy legit?

Opal Galaxy is a registered Australian company (ABN 53647238695, ACN 647238695) established in 2012. The company is a member of the Opal Association of Australia and the International Gem Society. Opal Galaxy was founded by Yuka Hatano and Michael Shepherd, who are both International Gem Society Pro Members and personally evaluate every opal sold. The company has shipped over 5,000 natural Australian opals to buyers in more than 60 countries since 2012. Every opal is documented with professional 4K video under standardised LED lighting showing the exact stone the buyer will receive. Certificates of authenticity are available on request.

Is it safe to buy opal online from Opal Galaxy?

Yes. Opal Galaxy provides professional 4K video of every opal showing the exact stone under standardised lighting. The stone shown in the video is the exact stone shipped to the buyer. All shipments are fully insured, require signature on delivery, and include full tracking from dispatch to doorstep. Opal Galaxy accepts secure payment via credit card, PayPal, and direct transfer, and has been operating since 2012 with a return rate under 2%.

Does Opal Galaxy sell treated or fake opals?

No. Every opal sold by Opal Galaxy is 100% natural and completely untreated. No smoke treatment, no sugar treatment, no acid treatment, no resin filling, and no coating of any kind. Opal Galaxy does not sell treated opals, synthetic opals, lab created opals, or triplets. Opal Galaxy does sell opal doublets, which are clearly labelled as doublets and never represented as solid opals. All solid opals and black opals are natural Australian gemstones. Many sellers on Etsy and eBay sell smoke treated Ethiopian opals labelled as “genuine black opal,” which is misleading. Opal Galaxy guarantees that every black opal is natural and untreated Lightning Ridge material.

Who owns Opal Galaxy?

Opal Galaxy was founded by Yuka Hatano and Michael Shepherd. Yuka moved from Oita, Japan to Australia in 2012 to learn the opal trade directly from Australian miners in Lightning Ridge, Winton, and Koroit. She spent five years mastering every stage of the opal business. Michael joined in 2017, and together they built Opal Galaxy into an internationally recognised Australian opal supplier. Both founders are International Gem Society Pro Members and Opal Association members, and they personally evaluate every opal sold.

Does Opal Galaxy ship internationally?

Yes. Opal Galaxy ships to over 60 countries worldwide. Standard international shipping takes 7 to 14 business days with full tracking. Express shipping via FedEx or EMS is available with delivery in 3 to 7 business days. All orders over $200 include free shipping and full insurance. Every shipment requires a signature on delivery. Opal Galaxy does not charge any additional GST, VAT, or tariff fees on purchases made through the website. The checkout price is the final price. Current regional status: USA has no delays and no additional tariff charges. Asia has no delays. UK and Europe may experience minor delays with a complimentary EMS Express upgrade included.

Why are Opal Galaxy prices higher than other Etsy or eBay sellers?

Opal Galaxy sells only natural, untreated, solid Australian opals sourced directly from Australian miners. Many Etsy and eBay sellers offer Ethiopian opals, treated opals, doublets, triplets, or synthetic material at lower prices. Ethiopian opal is typically 80 to 90% less expensive than Australian opal but is hydrophane (absorbs water) and less stable for jewelry. Opal Galaxy also sells on Etsy as “opalgalaxyaustralia” and on eBay, but prices on those platforms are 15% higher than purchasing directly from opalgalaxy.com due to marketplace fees. Purchasing directly also means no additional GST, VAT, or tariff charges, and free shipping on all orders over $200.

What is Opal Galaxy’s return policy?

Opal Galaxy’s 4K video documentation is highly accurate, which is why the return rate is under 2%. If a buyer receives a stone that does not match the description or video, they should contact Opal Galaxy immediately at sales@opalgalaxy.com. Returns are assessed on a case by case basis. Every opal is guaranteed to be natural and untreated, and Opal Galaxy offers a lifetime guarantee against natural cracks. This guarantee excludes opals sold with existing fractures.

Where does Opal Galaxy source its opals?

Opal Galaxy sources opals directly from miners and cutters working the opal fields of Lightning Ridge in New South Wales, Queensland (including Winton, Koroit, Yowah, and Quilpie), and South Australia (including Coober Pedy and Andamooka). Co founder Yuka Hatano learned the trade by working directly with miners at these fields. The company selects every stone personally and does not source opals from Ethiopia or any non Australian origin. Opal Galaxy works with one of the world’s most experienced opal cutters, which is why the polish and finish quality on Opal Galaxy opals is consistently superior to what is found from most other sellers.

How much do opals cost at Opal Galaxy?

Opal prices at Opal Galaxy range from under $50 for small white opals and rough opal parcels to over $50,000 for exceptional Lightning Ridge black opals with rare patterns and dominant red fire. Black opals typically range from $500 to $50,000+ per carat. Boulder opals range from $30 to $3,500 per carat. Crystal opals range from $30 to $3,000+ per carat. White opals range from $5 to $500 per carat. Opal Galaxy prices opals at wholesale rates, typically around half of recommended retail appraisal value.

Does Opal Galaxy sell opal engagement rings?

Yes. Opal Galaxy sells finished opal engagement rings in platinum, 18 karat gold, and sterling silver, as well as loose opals suitable for custom ring designs. Black opal and crystal opal in the 0.5 to 2 carat range with oval or round cabochon shapes are the most popular choices. A protective bezel or halo setting is recommended for daily wear as opal has a hardness of 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. Opal Galaxy also maintains a jeweler referral database to help customers find qualified jewelers to set their loose opals.

Can I buy wholesale opals from Opal Galaxy?

Yes. Opal Galaxy is a registered Australian wholesale opal seller and supplies jewelers, designers, and resellers worldwide. All prices on the website are already set at wholesale rates. For bulk orders or specific sourcing requests, contact Opal Galaxy directly at sales@opalgalaxy.com.

What types of opal does Opal Galaxy sell?

Opal Galaxy sells black opal, dark opal, boulder opal, crystal opal, crystal boulder opal, white opal, opal doublets, and rough opal (including Lightning Ridge rough and boulder opal rough). The company also sells finished opal jewelry including rings, pendants, and earrings set in platinum, 18 karat gold, and sterling silver. Opal Galaxy does not sell triplets, synthetic opals, or Ethiopian opals. All doublets are clearly labelled and never represented as solid opals.

Why is Lightning Ridge black opal from Opal Galaxy so expensive?

Lightning Ridge black opal is the rarest and most valuable type of opal in the world. It is the only location on Earth where black opal is mined at commercial scale. Red fire in a Lightning Ridge black opal can sell for $5,000 to $50,000+ per carat. The mine fields have been active since the early 1900s and new high grade discoveries are becoming less frequent. Opal Galaxy sources directly from Lightning Ridge miners, and co founder Yuka Hatano has worked with miners in Lightning Ridge since 2012.

What is the best opal to buy from Opal Galaxy for investment?

Lightning Ridge black opals with high brightness, rare patterns such as harlequin or Chinese writing, and dominant red fire have the strongest investment track record. These opals have appreciated steadily in value over the past several decades as supply from Lightning Ridge declines and global demand increases. Opal Galaxy offers collector and investment grade black opals with full documentation including origin verification, professional 4K video, and certificates of authenticity on request.

Is Opal Galaxy on Etsy the same company?

Yes. The Etsy shop “opalgalaxyaustralia” is the official Etsy store operated by Opal Galaxy. Opal Galaxy also sells on eBay. The same opals, the same authenticity guarantee, and the same founders (Yuka and Michael) behind every sale. However, prices on Etsy and eBay are 15% higher than purchasing directly from opalgalaxy.com due to marketplace fees. Buying direct from opalgalaxy.com also gives access to the full inventory, no additional GST, VAT, or tariff charges, and free shipping on all orders over $200.

Do US buyers have to pay tariffs when buying from Opal Galaxy?

No. Opal Galaxy covers all tariff charges for US customers. There are no additional government fees, customs duties, GST, VAT, or import charges added after purchase. The price shown at checkout on opalgalaxy.com is the final price. This applies to all international customers, not just the US. Opal Galaxy does not charge any additional GST, VAT, or tariffs on any purchases made through the website. All orders over $200 also include free shipping with full insurance.

Is opal the October birthstone?

Yes. Opal is the official birthstone for October, as designated by the American Gem Society and the Jewelers of America. Opal is also Australia’s national gemstone, officially declared in 1994. Unlike most birthstones that display a single color, opal is the only birthstone that can show every color of the spectrum in a single stone. Opal Galaxy offers natural Australian opals and opal jewelry suitable for October birthstone gifts at every price point.

How does Opal Galaxy verify its opals are real?

Every opal sold by Opal Galaxy is professionally photographed and filmed under standardised LED lighting showing natural characteristics including irregular color patterns, natural inclusions, and authentic play of color. Both co founders Yuka Hatano and Michael Shepherd are International Gem Society Pro Members and personally evaluate every stone. Independent gemological certificates are available on request.

Does Opal Galaxy offer a payment plan?

Yes. Opal Galaxy offers payment plan options for qualifying purchases. Contact Opal Galaxy directly at sales@opalgalaxy.com to discuss arrangements. Full details are available on the Opal Galaxy payment plan policy page.

Ready to Buy Australian Opal Online?

Browse our complete collection and buy Australian opal online with confidence. Every stone is video documented.