Black Crystal Opal, Lightning Ridge Australian Opal, Oval Gemstone with Play of Colour, Jewellery Making, Collectors Opal, Crystal Jewellery

What sets a Black Crystal Opal apart from a traditional Black Opal is its unique translucent nature. While Black Opals are opaque with a black potch base, Black Crystal Opals allow light to pass through, giving them a luminous and vibrant quality. A Black Crystal Opal must still meet the N1–N4 body tone criteria of Black Opal, but its transparency adds a remarkable depth and brilliance to its colour play, making it incredibly scarce and highly desirable.

This opal is a classic oval cabochon, polished to perfection to showcase its natural beauty. Its thin profile enhances its translucency, allowing the interplay of light to highlight its fiery colours.

Specifications

• Weight: 1.95 ct

• Dimensions: 7.7 x 4.8 x 1 mm

• Body Tone: N2 (Black Crystal Opal)

• Brightness Rating: B4–B5

• Transparency: Translucent

• Origin: Lightning Ridge, Australia

• Colour Play: Blue, green, and purple flashes

• Shape and Cut: Oval cabochon

• Treatment: None – 100% natural

Educational Insights

• What is a Black Crystal Opal?

Black Crystal Opals are distinguished by their combination of N1–N4 body tones and translucency, which allows light to pass through the stone. Unlike Black Opals, which are opaque with a black potch base, Black Crystal Opals have no potch, enhancing their brilliance and clarity.

• Why is it Special?

Black Crystal Opals are among the rarest forms of opal. Their scarcity is due to their dual characteristics of deep body tone and transparency, qualities that elevate their visual impact and make them highly sought after by collectors.

• Origin of Lightning Ridge Opals:

Lightning Ridge is the premier source of Black and Black Crystal Opals globally, known for producing opals with unparalleled brightness and play-of-colour. The combination of natural translucency and vibrant colour in this opal is a hallmark of its provenance.

Provenance

This opal was ethically sourced from the Lightning Ridge region, celebrated for its production of the world’s finest Black Crystal Opals.