"Black opal" is a term used for opal that has a dark body color, often black or dark gray.
The term is also used for opal that has a dark blue or dark green body color.
The dark body color often makes the fire of black opal more obvious. This contrast of fire
color to body color makes black opals very desirable and sold for high prices.
One of the specimens at right 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.
A solid black opal cabochone 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.
A black matrix opal cut from material mined at Andamooka, South Australia. It is a cabochon of about 30 carats.
