Teardrop cabochon Australian opal

Approximate measurements: 4 x 7 mm.

Australian opal is one of the most fascinating gemstones on the planet. Its play of colour—an optical phenomenon—makes it a truly unique stone: as you turn it, flashes of green, blue, orange, and red may appear, as if it held a rainbow within.

Australia is the source of 95% of the world’s precious opal, with famous deposits such as Lightning Ridge (known for its rare black opal), Coober Pedy (with underground mines and homes carved into the rock), and Andamooka, where the opal now set in one of the most iconic tiaras of the British royal family was found.

In 1993, the Australian government officially declared opal as the national gemstone. This decision celebrated not only its beauty, but also its cultural and economic significance. Long before that, Aboriginal peoples already considered it a sacred stone. According to an ancient desert legend, the creator descended to Earth on a rainbow, and where his foot touched the ground, stones were born that shone with all the colours—opal.

One of the most famous specimens is the Olympic Australis, discovered in 1956 in Coober Pedy. It is the largest precious opal ever found, with over 17,000 carats, and it is so valuable that it has never been cut—it remains intact as a one-of-a-kind geological treasure.

In the world of high jewellery, Australian opal has captivated designers and celebrities. Queen Elizabeth II received a black opal from Lightning Ridge as a state gift during her visit to Australia in 1954. That same stone was set into a brooch she wore on many official occasions. Actresses such as Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, and Taylor Swift have also worn stunning Australian opals on red carpets.

Due to its composition—a form of hydrated silica—Australian opal does not have a crystalline structure like other minerals. Instead, it is made up of amorphous silica spheres that are microscopically arranged. This unique arrangement is what causes its iridescent colours, which change with the angle of light.

Beyond its use in jewellery and collecting, opal stirs passion among those who associate it with intuition, creativity, and transformation. While these beliefs are symbolic, they have accompanied opal for centuries across many cultures.

Today, Australian opal represents not only the continent’s geological wealth, but also its cultural identity and its impact on the history of modern jewellery.

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