1.43ct TOP MOST!!! EXTREME!! 100% GENUINE NATURAL BLACK Opal COLOUR PLAY PATCHWORK PATTERN

1.43ct TOP MOST!! EXTREME!!! 100% GENUINE REAL NATURAL BLACK Opal

  COLOUR PLAY PATCHWORK PATTERN - WELO ETHIOPIA 

MAKE AN AWESOME RING OR PENDANT

Black opal is one of the many fascinating varieties of opal available today and it also happens to be one of the most popular varieties. In 2008, Australia officially recognized this and proclaimed black opal to be the official state gemstone for New South Wales. Common opal was already the official gemstone representing all of Australia, because, amazingly, almost all of the world's supply of black opal is mined from New South Wales and an astonishing 97% of all common opal is sourced from Australia.

Black opal is by far the most valuable and appreciated of all opal varieties, especially those from Australia's famous Lightning Ridge. Often, black opal stones will contain aspects of common opal which remain intact throughout production. Typically, common opal is strategically left on the backside of finished black opal stones. The common opal, referred to as 'potch', actually enhances the black opal body tone and accentuates the boisterous vibrancy of other colors that black opal can radiate. It is because of black opal's ability to display such vivid and intense colors that black opal is considered to be the most valuable type of opal available today.

Black opal body tones range from a dark gray to black, and the dark background acts as the base for the spectrum of colors it can display. Despite its descriptive name, black opal can, in fact, encompass various colors. Top quality specimens can reflect the full spectrum of colors through their unique play of color quality.

Almost all black opals are mined from Northern New South Wales and the majority of these are mined specifically from Lightning Ridge. Lighting Ridge has become known as the world's biggest supplier of black opal, and extracts incredible amounts of opal all year round. Other sources for black opal include Ethiopia, but Ethiopian black opal is usually enhanced through smoke treatment to darken the body tone color. No other origin or source can rival the quality and color of Australia's black opal. 

   IMAGES TAKEN UNDER SPECIALIST OPAL LIGHTING

PICTURE IS ENLARGED 

 Gem Type:  TOP MOST!! EXTREME!! 100% GENUINE REAL Natural BLACK Opal

   Shape:  Pear   

Quantity:  1

Total Weight:  1.43ct

Colour:  Multi Colours Colours - Multi Colour Dancing 

Clarity:  Translucent/Opaque

Size:  12.38x6.19x3.92mm

Origin:  Welo - Ethiopia

Hardness:  6.5 MOH'S SCALE