Discovering the Best Australian Opals

Australia is renowned for its opal mining industry, producing 95% of the world's supply.

With a variety of colours and textures available, how do we determine the best Australian opals?

This guide explores everything you need to know to choose the perfect opal for you.

What Makes Australian Opals the Best?

Australia is home to the most diverse and high-quality range of opals, featuring every colour of the visible spectrum—from deep blues and greens to rich pinks, reds, oranges, and violets. The value and quality of an opal depend on several factors, including body tone, brilliance, pattern, number of colours, and unique characteristics. The quality of the cut and polish, as well as the size of the stone, also play crucial roles in determining an opal's value.

While personal preference is a significant factor, Australian Black Opal is one of the rarest and most sought-after gemstones. Black opals display every colour of the rainbow, with their dark body tone enhancing the richness and intensity of these colours. 

Where to Find the Best Opals in Australia

The rarest form of opal, Black Opal, is primarily found in the small outback town of Lightning Ridge, NSW. Over 140 million years ago, central Australia hosted a massive inland sea rich in minerals. As the sea receded, it formed the Great Artesian Basin, where silica deposits turned into opal.

Notable opal mining sites in Australia include White Cliffs, The Queensland Fields, Lightning Ridge, Grawin & Glengarry, Coober Pedy, Andamooka, Mintabie, and Lambina.

How Do Australian Opals Get Their Colour?

Opals consist mainly of water and silica, the latter being the primary component of glass. This mixture solidifies in voids or holes beneath the earth's surface, forming precious gemstones. When light enters an opal, it reflects, bounces, and diffracts through the gaps between microscopic silica spheres. This process creates a prism effect, splitting light waves into the myriad of colours visible to the naked eye. The specific colours are determined by the size of the opal and the gaps in its structure.

The Most Expensive Opal in Australia

The 'Flame Queen' opal, with a current market value estimated at $3.6 million, has a fascinating but somewhat debated history. It was discovered in the early 1900s in Lightning Ridge. Another renowned opal, the 'Olympic Australis,' was unearthed in Coober Pedy during the 1950s and is valued at approximately $2.5 million today. However, not all opals come with such hefty price tags. Depending on quality, opal prices can range from as low as $10 per carat to around $6,000 per carat, making them accessible to a wide range of buyers.

Choosing the Best Opal for Jewellery

There is no single type of opal that can be universally deemed the best for jewellery. The ideal opal is one that reflects your individual style and taste. Each opal is unique, with its own distinct patterns and colours, ensuring that every piece is truly one-of-a-kind. At Iona Opal Australia, we celebrate this uniqueness by offering a carefully curated selection of opals, allowing you to find the perfect stone that resonates with your personal aesthetic. Whether you're looking for a statement piece or a subtle accent, Iona Opal Australia provides opals that cater to every style and preference.