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Opal Types
At Ikecho, we are proud to offer only natural solid opals, ensuring the highest quality and authenticity in every piece. Here’s a guide to the most notable opal types found in Australia, the opal capital of the world.
Natural Solid Opals
Solid opals are entirely natural stones, prized for their unmatched beauty and durability. Unlike composite opals such as doublets and triplets, solid opals are not layered or manufactured—they’re formed over millions of years and are truly one of a kind.
Black Opal
Black opals are the rarest, most valuable, and most celebrated type of opal.
- Appearance: Named for their dark body tone, black opals feature a black or dark grey base that beautifully enhances the vibrant colours that play across the surface. Shades range from deep blues to fiery reds, with red being the most prized.
- Origins: Found primarily in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, and occasionally in South Australia. Lightning Ridge is a small yet iconic mining town located about 750 km from Sydney and Brisbane. It’s known for its opal mines and attracts over 60,000 visitors annually.
- Value: Black opals’ stunning colours and dark backgrounds make them incredibly sought after, with gem-quality black opals ranking among the most valuable in the world.
Boulder Opal
Boulder opals are unique, dramatic, and distinctly Australian.
- Appearance: These opals form in the cavities of ironstone or sandstone, often displaying vibrant colours similar to black opals. Their natural ironstone backing enhances their brilliance, and they are frequently cut in freeform shapes to highlight their individual character.
- Origins: Found in the rugged landscapes of Southwestern and Central Queensland, boulder opals are renowned for their earthy beauty and artistic appeal.
Light Opal
Light opals, also known as white or milk opals, are the most commonly found variety.
- Appearance: Featuring a lighter or milky white base tone, these opals display stunning flashes of red, blue, and green hues.
- Origins: Our white opals come from Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, as well as Coober Pedy, Mintabie and Andamooka in South Australia.
- Popularity: Their softer, ethereal appearance makes them a popular choice for jewellery, and their abundance makes them more accessible than other types of opals.
Composite Opals
Composite opals, such as doublets and triplets, combine natural opal with other materials. While more affordable, they lack the durability and authenticity of solid opals.
- Doublet Opals: A thin slice of natural opal is bonded to a dark backing (like black potch or ironstone) to mimic the appearance of a black opal.
- Triplet Opals: Similar to doublets, but with an added transparent layer (often quartz or plastic) on top to protect the opal and enhance its appearance.
At Ikecho, we only offer solid opals, ensuring you receive genuine, high-quality pieces that will last a lifetime.
Shop Our Opal Jewellery Collection
Explore our range of opal jewellery and find your perfect piece. Whether you’re drawn to the vivid hues of black opals, the earthy charm of boulder opals, or the soft radiance of white opals, our collection offers something for everyone. Each opal is a natural masterpiece, ready to be treasured for generations.