Australian Boulder Opal, Waves Of Color Play On Matrix Of Warm Brown Oval Stone

Description

THIS BOULDER OPAL
This freeform oval-shaped boulder opal is offered by Outback Oz Opal of Flagstaff, AZ. The stone was cut and polished by us from opal rough purchased from Australian miners-cutters. The opal displays a play of colors across a warm brown face. It has been in our possession since the early 2000s. It is natural Australian opal, we do not sell any lab-created stimulants or “opal” from any other countries. The dimensions of this nicely proportioned stone are 35 mm X 20 mm x 5 mm, as measured by a brass gemstone caliper. We do not report carat weight of Boulder Opal as the stones are primarily host rock (ironstone or sandstone) with very small amounts of Precious Opal.
BOULDER OPAL
Boulder Opal was discovered in 1869 in the state of Queensland in Northeastern Australia. Precious Opal is found as thin seams and thicker patches of Opal in a natural host rock, most commonly ironstone or sandstone. It is formed as infills in fractures, crevices, and or cavities in the rock when silica-laden groundwater trickles down and precipitates out as a solid. Precious Opal!
Boulder Opal is most frequently cut into free form irregular shapes. To fashion a gem from the rock, it can be cut to display the thin seam on the face of the stone, retaining the host rock as a solid backing. Other styles of cut reveal the seams of color in patterns that can resemble lightning strikes, gently flowing streams, or other wild and fanciful patterns. In this manner a relatively small occurrence of Precious Opal can show “face-up” or display a pattern of color to present a beautiful and valuable gem stone.
Boulder Opal displays vibrant rainbow-like colors, usually blue and green, in shades that can be bright to the point of being described as electric! Red is the rarest color and therefore most coveted and most valuable. Changes in the light or angle of observation changes the colors perceived.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OUTBACK OZ OPAL
Outback Oz Opal began as a two-Geologist family unit in the middle of a street in Coober Pedy, South Australia where we bought from a gem cutter some finished Opal stones and rough Opal to cut and sell in the US. Subsequent Opal purchases of rough and finished stones were made at the Tucson, AZ Gem and Mineral Show where we developed some valuable friendships with Australian miner-cutter vendors. We learned so much about grading and cutting from them. Eventually we were able to purchase the bulk of our Opal off the kitchen table at our Flagstaff home from miner-cutter dealers who routed through on the gem show circuit (Albuquerque, Durango, Denver, etc). Ultimately one miner stored hundreds of pounds of his rough in a SeaLand container on our property to avoid the expense of returning with unsold goods to Australia.
For several years we sold Opal under the name Outback Oz Opal in Flagstaff, AZ. We sold on eBay and locally to Native American artists on the nearby Reservation. Additionally we travelled each month to a New Mexico Pueblo where we sold from the back of our pickup truck parked “under the tree”. What a dream hobby for two Geologists! But, as is always the case, life happened — a great job opportunity for the Dad in another state and Military service for the Grandson, who had grown up in the business and cut his first Opal fetish when he was in Kindergarten. Now seems to be a good time to restart the business. This stone is one of many of the Boulder Opal stones we cut from rough sourced from various mining areas in Queensland, Australia.
DIGITAL REPRESENTATION OF OPAL
We strive to accurately describe and depict our Opal offered for sale on eBay. All measurements of dimensions are accurate using standard devices. We do not use carat weight in our descriptions as the majority of the weight of any Boulder Opal is the host rock. This Opal has been photographed beside a purple millimeter ruler and a US penny for scale. Our photos are taken from various angles and at different times of day in natural daylight with an iPhone camera. With digital photography it is impossible to represent Opal without some degree of inaccuracy. The exposure (light level) of the listing photos has been adjusted in an attempt to best show the color play of The Opal, but the color balance is not adjusted in any way. We note any imperfections and show them plainly in the photos if possible.
PAYMENT AND SHIPMENT
We accept payment only through PayPal, the most reliable method of payment. Payment should be made within 7 days of the purchase. We ship by USPS First Class Mail which includes tracking and full insurance. We will ship only to the physical address registered by PayPal.
RETURNS
We recognize that Opal is a very personal and emotional purchase. If you feel the Opal is not as represented please contact us to discuss any issues you may have. If it is agreed the Opal will be returned for refund, you may return it in its’ original condition in protective packaging within 14 days of receipt. Refund to the buyer will amount to the purchase price only, excluding the cost of outbound and return shipping.
FEEDBACK
Positive Feedback from a satisfied buyer is very important to us. If you are displeased with any aspect of our transaction, please message us so that we may rectify any problem and eliminate the need for negative feedback. We appreciate your business and thank you for trusting us.