Often considered to be as unique as a snowflake, the opal is anything but ordinary. It is the official birthstone of October and is often referred to as the ‘queen of gemstones’. That said, many are still not aware that milky white is not the only option this jewel is available in.
The opal can be found in diverse background shades (also known as body colour), and this gem is categorized into different types depending on these hues. This brings us to the main question, which is its rarest colour?
The Answer
From the many intriguing opal variants available today, black is the rarest. It is found in Lightning Ridge, Australia – a small outback town in north-western New South Wales named after a lightning incident that took place in the 1870s. All fine-quality black opals come from this location, so it’s not surprising that it was crowned the ‘gemstone emblem’ of New South Wales.
The fascinating appearance of this rare jewel can be attributed to the presence of carbon and iron oxide. Black opal’s colour can typically range from black to dark grey, but it can also be found in darker shades of blue and green.
Should You Buy a Black Opal?
In one word – yes! This jewel is sure to be a wonderful purchase for a variety of reasons. The top three are as follows…
1. Rarity
As touched upon before, the formation of black opal is limited to a few areas with zero chance of quick replenishment. Furthermore, the difficulty involved in mining makes the accessibility to this stone even more scarce. These factors add to its overall value and popularity.
2. Play-of-colour
This has always been a unique and eye-catching element in an opal. For those who aren’t aware, play-of-colour is an optical phenomenon that occurs when light enters the gem and causes it to showcase a flash of spectral colours. Since the black opal has a dark background shade, the play-of-colour looks even more exotic, which makes this gem truly a priceless treasure.
3. Increase in Demand
Thanks to its rarity, distinctiveness and mesmerising look, the black opal has enjoyed a steady increase in demand across the world. However, since there’s a limited supply of this gem available, it has led to the rise in value and price as well, which together make this gem extremely sought-after.
Before You Buy…
1. Research the Seller
Buy your opal bracelets, opal earrings and other jewellery only from a reputed brand backed by genuine customer reviews. Once you’ve shortlisted a product also ensure to cheque the Certificate of Authenticity. This important document gives you information on various important details, such as the quality grade of the stone, if it has undergone enhancements, etc.
2. Cheque the Return Policy
Go through the company’s Return Policy before placing an order. In an event where you’re unsatisfied with the product that’s been sent to you or if you feel it differs from what is shown/claimed online then you should be able to return the product and get refunded too.
3. Opt for GIA Certification
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the world’s premier gemstone organisation that aims to educate and protect consumers from false/imitation gems and diamonds. Want to buy genuine opal rings? By opting for opal jewellery featuring GIA certified gemstones, you can rest assured that the product you purchase is 100% authentic. Also, all the details about the product provided to you are legitimate and indisputable.
Also read – Does the Opal Bring Bad Luck
