Boulder Opal

Mined in Koroit, Australia, from the veins in large ironstone boulders underground, these beautiful opals, come in every colour.  Second only to black opal in value, the boulder opal keeps its ironstone backing, due to the thinness of the veins in which they are mined.  

Others can appear like boulder opal, but due to the ironstone back, it is visible through the array of colours, giving, like black opal, a darker tone and sometimes spotted appearance.  

In 1963, boulder opal was found by scientists, to contain trace amounts of spherical silica.  When light travels through, we are given the beautiful opalescent appearance.  As well, they are made of salt, water and sand.  It takes roughly 50 million years for them to form.  

Boulder opal is much loved among jewelry, as each piece is unique and gorgeous.  The more colourful the opal, the more valuable.  

It is durable, being 60% stronger than human teeth.  Opals have been used throughout time to treat infections, pain in childbirth, purifying the blood and much more.