Freeform teardrop Australian opal cabochon from Lightning Ridge (New South Wales, Australia). Dimensions: 8.16 × 5.00 × 2.66 mm, weight 0.65 ct. Multicolored flashes — yellow, green, and blue-purple — on an N9 white body. Hand-cut in our lapidary workshop.
Item details
| Mineral |
Australian opal (hydrated mineraloid, SiO₂·nH₂O) |
| Dimensions |
8.16 × 5.00 × 2.66 mm |
| Weight |
0.65 ct |
| Shape and back |
Freeform teardrop, flat polished back |
| Body color |
N9 (white) |
| Play of color |
Multicolored — yellow, green, and blue-purple in moving 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 |
About this specific piece
The teardrop silhouette of this piece follows the natural geometry of the original fragment, adapted by the lapidary to highlight the distribution of the play of color. The main flash is golden-yellow, shifting to green and blue-purple depending on the angle: a color sequence that covers the visible spectrum from warm to cool with just a few degrees of rotation. The white body (N9) acts as a neutral background that intensifies the visibility of the colors.
The depth of the piece (2.66 mm for only 8 mm in length) is unusually high for its lateral dimensions. This elevated dome proportion concentrates the volume of spherical silica under the top face and amplifies the intensity of the flash, making a seemingly small piece project a disproportionately vivid play of color.
How play of color forms in opal
The play of color in opal is an optical phenomenon caused by diffraction, not pigmentation. The internal structure of quality opal consists 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. When white light passes through these layers, each wavelength is diffracted at a different angle: the visible result is a palette of colors that changes with movement. In opals with a white or light background (like this N9), the play of color appears illuminated against a reflective background that amplifies the perception of the hues.
For what mounting it works
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Pendant with custom 925 silver mounting — the teardrop silhouette is one of the most versatile shapes for a pendant; the narrowest point allows for an integrated bail within the bezel, without needing to drill the stone.
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Bezel setting (925 silver or other precious metals) — a hardness of 5.5–6.5 Mohs requires side protection; the closed bezel encloses the perimeter of the teardrop and protects the lower apex, which is the most vulnerable point in this shape.
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Wire wrap — an alternative for those who work with wire wrapping; the conical shape of the teardrop makes it easy to build a wire nest that supports the piece from the base without pressing on the face.
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. The term opal probably comes from the Sanskrit upala ("precious stone"), via the Latin opalus. Pliny the Elder described opal in the 1st century AD as the gem that concentrates "the fire of the carbuncle, the purple of the amethyst, and the sea-green of the emerald." The teardrop shape — one of the classic opal cuts — has been used in collectible jewelry since the 19th century, especially in Art Nouveau pieces.
In crystal tradition, opal is associated with inspiration, creativity, and the perception of changing beauty — qualities that are directly reflected in the optical behavior of the mineral: a stone that never shows the same color twice from the same angle.
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 changes with the viewing angle — it is not a fixed iridescence. Under magnification, the surface shows a homogeneous texture without bubbles, glued layers, or visible joints (indicators of a doublet or triplet). Synthetic opals often show a scaly color pattern ("lizard skin") that appears artificial under 10× magnification. The specific gravity of natural opal (≈2.1 g/cm³) is lower than that of glass (≈2.5 g/cm³).
Frequently asked questions
Is this opal really from Lightning Ridge?
Yes. This cabochon was acquired directly from specialized Australian suppliers and cut in our workshop. Lightning Ridge (New South Wales) is the main source of high-intensity play-of-color opal in Australia.
Is the teardrop shape a standard or freeform silhouette?
Freeform teardrop. The silhouette follows the general geometry of a teardrop but is not calibrated to standard sizes for preformed bezels: the lapidary adapted the contour to take advantage of the area with the most play of color. The jeweler custom-builds the bezel to fit this specific piece.
Has it received any treatment?
No detectable treatment. 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.
Why does the play of color change so much with the angle?
It is the natural behavior of genuine opal. The play of color is a diffraction phenomenon: the internal silica spheres diffract different wavelengths depending on the angle of incidence. When the stone is rotated, the angle changes, and the color spectrum does too. A piece that does not change color is likely not natural quality opal.
What are the exact dimensions, and is there any tolerance?
8.16 × 5.00 × 2.66 mm, weight 0.65 ct. As a unique hand-cut piece, there may be a variation of ±0.5 mm in any dimension. The unusually high depth (2.66 mm) is a characteristic feature of this specific piece.
How is opal cared for?
Opal contains water in its structure and can dehydrate in very dry environments, causing surface cracks. Clean only with a soft, damp cloth; avoid ultrasonics, steam, and chemicals. In very dry environments, store with a small piece of slightly damp cotton. More details in jewelry care.
See also: all cabochons · lapidary collection.
