We Love Black Opal!

Well..... make that any sort of opal! This picture was taken on our last trip to Lightning Ridge NSW.  Only 4 more weeks until we head back for the Lightning Ridge Opal Festival. Be sure to pop inside and say 'hi' to us both at the Eromanga Gems booth.

Solid, Doublet or Triplet - What is the difference?

By now you are probably guessing that we love opal. All sorts of opal, but I'd have to say Lightning Ridge Black Opal is our all time favourite. 

Here is a summary of the different ways you can buy opal. Opals are all beautiful, you just need to decide which type is for you.

Solid Opals

Solid Opals are the most sought after and most valuable opal. They must be cut and polished from the natural stone without being treated or  being added to in any other way.  They are often oval, round or teardrop in shape, but can be cut into a number of other shapes. Solid opals in their natural forms can also be cut and polished and referred to as a free form opal.


Doublet Opals 

Doublets are made by gluing slices of precious light opal to a common opal or any other backing with a dark background. The dark backing enhances the colours of the precious opal on top. A doublet should not be brought into contact with detergent or oils as the glues could be affected.


Triplet Opals 

Triplets are made by adding a clear protective cap to the doublet. The slices of precious opal used for triplets are thinner than for doublets and so triplets are usually less expensive. A triplet opal being layered, should not be brought into contact with detergent or oils as the glues could be affected.


Mosaic and Chip Opals 

Mosaic and Chip Opals are a composition of small flat or irregularly shaped pieces of natural opal cemented as a mosaic tile on a dark base material or encompassed in a resin. Opal chips are also used in Phials (vials).

Body Tone of Opal

Yesterday on a social network site I was reading a post where a group of people were arguing about the body tone of an opal. How does one know if the opal can be labelled as a Black Opal, Dark Opal or Light Opal? I hope the information below helps.

Body Tone of Opal

Body tone, body of tone, background colour, colour background, body colour or body background all refer to the relative darkness or lightness of the opal, while ignoring its play of colour. This is assessed on a Scale of Body Tone (from N1 to N9).

• Black Opal - is the family of opal which shows a play of colour within or on a black body tone when viewed face-up, and may be designated N1, N2, N3 or N4 on the Scale of Body Tone.

• Dark Opal - is the family of opal which shows a play of colour within or on a dark body tone, when viewed face-up, and may be designated N5 or N6 using the Scale of Body Tone.

• Light Opal - is the family of opal which shows a play of colour within or on a light body tone, when viewed face-up, and may be designated N7, N8, or N9 on the Scale of Body Tone. The N9 category is referred to as white opal.