Free-form Australian opal cabochon from Lightning Ridge (New South Wales, Australia). Dimensions: 8.70 × 5.30 × 1.94 mm, weight 0.50 ct. Multi-color play of color — electric greens and blues with yellow flashes — on an N8 body (white-gray).
Item details
| Mineral |
Australian Opal (hydrated mineraloid, SiO₂·nH₂O) |
| Dimensions |
8.70 × 5.30 × 1.94 mm |
| Weight |
0.50 ct |
| Shape and Back |
Free-form, flat polished back |
| Body Color |
N8 (white with gray tones) |
| Play of Color |
Multi-color — dominant greens and blues, yellow flashes |
| Finish |
Mirror polish |
| Hardness |
5.5–6.5 Mohs — we recommend a bezel setting to protect the edges |
| Origin |
Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia |
| Treatment |
Untreated. The opal contains water in its structure; no stabilization or impregnation process has been applied. |
| Item Type |
Unique piece |
This specific piece
What distinguishes this cabochon is the character of its play of color: despite its small dimensions — less than 9 mm long — the chromatic spectrum covers almost the entire upper face. Electric greens and blues dominate, but at certain angles, a yellow flash appears, shifting the tone towards a warmer range. The effect is not static: each turn of the piece activates a different color.
The free-form silhouette — irregular, without a defined axis of symmetry — is not accidental. The lapidary chose this outline to take advantage of the area with the highest concentration of spherical silica, where the play of color is most intense.
How play of color forms in opal
The play of color in opal is an optical phenomenon caused by diffraction, not by pigmentation. The internal structure of quality opal is made of hydrated silica spheres — between 0.15 and 0.30 micrometers in diameter — arranged in regular layers that act as a three-dimensional diffraction grating.
What setting it works for
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Bezel setting (925 silver or other precious metals) — a hardness of 5.5–6.5 Mohs requires side protection; the bezel setting encloses the edge and eliminates the risk of chipping during daily wear.
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Pendant with custom silver mounting — the small size (8.70 mm long) works well as a delicate pendant or as an earring.
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Wire wrap — an alternative for those who work with wire wrapping; use ≥20 gauge wire in silver or gold to avoid scratching the surface during the process.
Australian opal in lapidary tradition
Lightning Ridge is the most famous opal-producing region in the world. The first documented findings date back to the late 19th century when prospectors began working the black clays of northwestern New South Wales.
In crystal tradition, opal is associated with creativity, inspiration, and the ability to see from multiple perspectives — qualities connected to the optical phenomenon itself: a stone that displays different colors depending on the angle from which it is viewed.
The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice or a substitute for professional care.
How to recognize genuine Australian opal
Authentic opal exhibits a play of color that fluidly changes with the viewing angle — it is not a fixed iridescence like that of labradorite. Under magnification, the surface shows a homogeneous texture without bubbles, glued layers, or visible seams (signs of a doublet or triplet).
Frequently asked questions
Does this opal really come from Lightning Ridge?
Yes. This cabochon was purchased directly from specialized Australian suppliers and cut in our lapidary workshop. Lightning Ridge (New South Wales) is the main source of high-intensity multi-color play-of-color opal in Australia.
Has it received any treatment?
No detectable treatment. The opal contains between 3 and 10% water in its internal structure; no stabilization or resin impregnation process has been applied. Statement based on lapidary observation; the piece does not include formal gemological certification.
See also: all cabochons · lapidary collection.
