Opal Pendant Boulder

A rare display of red at the top of this stone, graduating into large blotches of green with some blue and more red. Appropriately set in pure 14k yellow gold claw set. The chain is included.

Explanation of Boulder opal Stone.

Contrary to common belief, black boulder opals are not black. They were given this name many years ago when the first prospectors who found them were astounded to see the dark brilliant colors coming from an opal that traditionally was considered a light-colored stone.

The Europeans had long known the value of precious opal from the Hungarian mines which as far as we know were all pale or light-colored stones.

Then, when opal was found in White Cliffs, and Coober Pedy, most of the stones were pale. Black Boulder Opal was one of the first stones found in Australian opal history.

It’s the dark in the background of the opal that causes the color to throw forward and have denseness and dynamic that the more delicate pale opal does not have.

The recent opal nomenclature (official naming) has identified boulder opals, if they have the same very dark background as Lightning Ridge, as Black opals. So properly they can be termed black boulder opal.

Late gift: If you have a deadline to meet for this gift, please take advantage of our free ‘late gift’ card which often goes over as well as the gift itself. Just email us the names of the giver and receiver.