Fabulous Lightning Ridge Semi Black Opal from Australia, 32.44 cts., 41x19 mm., Freeform Cabochon

Gem: Semi Black Opal (Dark Opal)
Weight: 32.44 cts.
Size: 41.65 x 19.11 mm.
Color: Deep Blue with Multi Color Flash
Clarity: Translucent
Cut: Freeform Cabochon
Locality: Lightning Ridge, Australia
Treatment: None

This is a fabulous thing! This is a natural, untreated Lightning Ridge Opal. The stone is huge, being over 30 carats and over 1.5 inches long! This Opal has many attributes, and all of them very desirable. This would be considered Black Opal in some ways, because of its dark blue body color, but I feel like it has a bit too much grey to be a true Black Opal. These deep blues are often called semi-black of Dark Opals. The fact is that this is a couple kinds of Opal! When backlit, you can clearly see that the end of it is crystal Opal because light travels right through it! The multi-color flash pattern in the Opal could be referred to as pinfire, but with this body color, this is a Galaxy Opal. When the stone is moved, the speckles of color transition and change, which is mesmerizing. This stone is a natural solid Opal, with no treatment of backing. The sides of the opal actually has gorgeous flash as well, and many layers of interesting Opal. This is a fantastic gem and a great collector’s item! Enjoy!