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Black Opal: Also Known as Dark Opal


Pictures and video of black opals


Black Opal

Black Opal A solid black opal cabochon with a strong blue face-up color play. It was mined at Lightning Ridge, Australia, the "Black Opal Capital of the World." It is 2.46 carats in weight and 9.5 x 12.5 millimeters in size.

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What is Black Opal?

"Black opal" is a term used for opal that has a dark bodycolor, often black or dark gray. The term is also used for opal that has a dark blue or dark green bodycolor.

The dark bodycolor often makes the fire of black opal more obvious. This contrast of fire color to bodycolor makes black opals very desirable and sell for high prices.

One of the specimens shown on this page is a solid black opal with a strong blue face-up color play. It was mined at Lightning Ridge, Australia, the "Black Opal Capital of the World." It is 2.46 carats in weight and 9.5 x 12.5 millimeters in size.

The other specimen is a black matrix opal cut from material mined at Andamooka, South Australia. It is a cabochon of about 30 carats.

Andamooka black matrix opal

Andamooka black matrix opal: A black matrix opal cut from material mined at Andamooka, South Australia. It is a cabochon of about 30 carats.


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