Are boulder opals valuable?

Valuing boulder opal per carat is not generally accepted in the industry due to the large component of ironstone present in the stone. However, to give a rough indication, top quality boulder opal may fetch prices of up to AUD $3,500 per carat for a gem quality stone.

What does Boulder opal mean?

Boulder opal is defined as natural opal that occurs in ‘veins’ or ‘pockets’ in sedimentary ironstone or sandstone boulders. Boulder opals are only found in one part of the world – Queensland, Australia.

Which is the rarest and the most valuable opal?

The Virgin Rainbow This $1 million opal is the world’s most expensive. It was discovered in 2003 by John Dunstan (who has been featured in the Outback Opal Hunters TV show) in the same opal fields as the Fire of Australia. Another interesting fact is it formed and was found within an ancient cuttlefish skeleton.

How do you value a boulder opal?

Value of boulder opal is difficult to determine but generally the more colours there are, the more expensive the piece will be. A black opal specimen is more valuable than a light coloured one and the order of colours in terms of value is esteemed to be red followed by orange, then green, blue and lastly purple.

Is boulder opal rare?

This opal is considered extremely rare because it is only found in Australia and nowhere else in the world. Boulder Opal: It can be categorized as a rare stone but it is more readily obtainable as compared to its cousin, black opal.

Why is Boulder opal so expensive?

All the coloration of the rainbow can be found in this amazing Australian boulder opal. Opal also an intense and mystical fire inside, which has really popularized it and in the process made it more expensive- for this reason, a fine example of an opal may be worth even more than a diamond.

Is Boulder opal rare?

Which opal is the most valuable?

Black opal
Black opal is the most prized opal and may realise prices over AUD $15,000 a carat. Boulder opals also have a dark body tone. White opals have a light body tone and are generally the least valuable form of opal.

What is the most valuable opal ever found?

Olympic Australis
The “Olympic Australis” is reported to be the largest and most valuable gem opal ever found. It was found in 1956 at the famous “Eight Mile” opal field in Coober Pedy, South Australia.