About Opals

Opals are considered to be one of the finest gems in the world with over 96 per cent of all opals being mined from Australian shores.

Opal is also mined in other parts of the world, however it is Australia that produces the best quality and the most sort after pieces of the "Queen of the desert".

The precious stone has been mined for centuries and while many claim they found this gem of dancing colours, some attribution has to be given to Aborigines who have known her since Dreamtime.

Opals have been described as all gems formed in one and Pliny the Roman Historian confirms this belief with his theory that "for in them you shall see the living fire of the ruby, the glorious purple of the amethyst, the sea green of the emerald all glittering together in an incredible mixture of light".

To view an opal to its full potential the light must be coming over your shoulder. If you are in a room using natural light, always stand with your back to the window. If outdoors, stand with your back to the sun.

Opals fall into three categories: solids, doublets and triplets.

Solids are natural stones that have been cut and polished without being interfered with, many of them having a natural potch back.

Doublets are two pieces of opal cemented together and are designed by cementing a layer of high-grade light opal to a dark back that enhances the colour. For economical reasons they normally have thin faces.

Triplets are simply doublets with clear domed caps cemented to their faces. The hardness of the cap used may vary from glass to quartz depending on the quality of the opal. The domed cap protects the opal and magnifies the pattern, greatly enhancing the overall appearance.

The type of opal is also important which varies depending on where the opal is found and the colours that predominantly shine.

Black opal is the rarest and most valuable with 99.9 per cent stored in Australia, it is known for its dark and lustrous radiant colour show on a dark background potch which is usually black, blue-black, dark brown or grey.

Boulder opal comes in many varieties from black to crystal and is found in crevices and cracks throughout the ironstone boulders. Owing to the thickness of most seams, stones of exquisite beauty are cut from the boulders leaving a natural backing of ironstone on the opal. Boulder opal commonly comes from Queensland fields and is often referred to as Queensland Boulder opal.

Light or White opal is the most abundant in Australia with 90 per cent found at Coober Pedy. Gem grade is a stunning translucent material known as crystal. The opal itself has a light or white body colour with a fine play of colour which can range from opaque to semi-translucent. Craig Jackson, Loloma Diamonds chief gemologist has chosen some of the most spectacular opal pieces from mines all over Australia, experience their beauty today!