OPAL INFORMATION

Guarantee of Authenticity

We offer a Certificate of authenticity when requested printed with full details of the opal including weight size shape and colour and where possible the mine or region where the gem was mined

Return Policy

Australia 30 days
International 30 days
Rough opal is accepted only if completely untouched and is as sent

Shipping

Following methodes are available:

  • International Standard
  • International Registered
  • International Courier Australia Post
  • DHL Express Courier

1) International Standard with Signature $25.00 ( 10 to 21 Days)

  • Insurance is not included
  • To a maximum weight of 500 grams

2) International Courier Australia Post EMS fully tracked $40.00 (7 to 14 days)

  • Insurance is not included
  • To a maximum weight of 500 grams

3) DHL Express Courier fully tracked 7 to 10 days delivery $75.00

  • Insurance is not included
  • To a maximum weight of 500 grams

COMBINED SHIPPING

  • 2 items combined and cost for bulk varies with shipping type selected

INSURANCE IS RECOMMENDED

  • $10 for the first $100 & $5.00 for every $100 thereafter.

If you choose not to take insurance we cannot be held liable if the parcel gets lost or damaged in transit

Buyers registered in Australia are subject to GST of 10.00%

Australian Opal Types

Constable and Co are Australian Opal Specialist. There are so many types of Opals on the market that it can sometimes be overwhelming to try and identify them all. At Constable and Co we have all the different types of Australian Opal. Below is a brief description of each of the different types of opals including Black Opal, Crystal Opal, Boulder Opal, Yowah and Koroit Opal and the smaller Opal fields like Andamooka, Mintabie and Tintenbar.

AUSTRALIAN OPALS

Andamooka Opal

It is only a very small Opal field but is known for its gem crystal Opal and in recent times for its treated matrix Opal sandstone and has spectacular colours.

Australian Fire Opal

This Opal field is only new and situated in the deserts of Western Australia and the Opal has resemblance to Mexican fire Opal. It comes in brilliant sun burnt orange to red color.

Black Opal

Most black Opal is mined in Lightning Ridge, NSW, Australia. The name Black Opals refers to stones that have come predominantly from this region and the term simply refers to the darker body tone of the stone

Dark Opal

Dark Opal is Opal that has a dark base but that is not dark enough to be called Black Opal. Using a Base Body Tone chart Black Opal has a body tone of N1 to N4. Dark Opal however has a body tone of N5 to N7.

White/ Precious /Fire Opal

White Opal refers to Opal with a white milky body tone. Most of this type of Opal comes from Coober Pedy in South Australia and White Cliffs in New South Wales which is also famous for the Opal Pineapple formations.

Boulder Opal

Boulder Opal refers to the natural ironstone base of the Opal. The Opal form in thin cracks and fissures in the sedimentary ironstone and when cut to a precious gem stone part of the natural host ironstone is left attached the precious Opal, like a painting on a canvas

Koroit Opal

This Opal is so unique because it has such an amazing appearance. The cracks in the ironstone are filled with precious Opal giving it a patterned look. This Opal is very similar to Matrix Opal however, Koroit Opal has pure ironstone as the main stone.

Yowah Nuts

These are only found in Yowah, Queensland. They are nodules of Opal that when cracked open can contain a pocket of solid precious Opal. Most of the nuts that are mined do not contain anything but every now and then a spectacular Yowah Nut is unearthed.

Matrix Opal

This type of Opal can be a matrix of ironstone and other stones together with precious Opal. It can also be a matrix of sandstone, clay and ironstone. Solid matrix opals from Andamooka are much more expensive than concrete matrix in rough.

Fairy Opal

Found predominantly in the northern Boulder Opal fields it is a natural Sandstone matrix commonly called Fairy Opal is cooked/treated similar to the Andamooka Matrix to show its vibrant colours

Mintabie Opal

Famous for creating milky white and sometimes Black Opal. It is located in South Australia and has produced some of the largest, most beautiful Opals in the past.

Pipe Opal

A very small volcanic Opal field in NSW, the Opals are not very stable and are deep dark hues and make excellent doublets.

Wood Replacement Opal

The Wood Replacement fossils are of a great variety and are found across all Opal fields. They were formed where the silica laden water leached into the voids in the rock that the vegetation left behind when it decomposed this silica formed opal in the voids so opal has take the forms of the cellular structure of the wood or the shape of the branches and twigs or the form of the fern leaf on so on

Opal Fossils

Australia once had a great inland sea millions years ago and the receding water left the fossils of a great variety of sea life of the day. These are found mostly in the southern Opal fields and are mostly opalised marine life including sea shells, belemites and opalized marine life and though to the fossils of dinosaurs. It is rare to find pieces that are opalised but many collectors enjoy these unique specimens.

Opal Fossils

Australia once had a great inland sea millions years ago and the receding water left the fossils of a great variety of sea life of the day. These are found mostly in the southern Opal fields and are mostly opalised marine life including sea shells, belemites and opalized marine life and though to the fossils of dinosaurs. It is rare to find pieces that are opalised but many collectors enjoy these unique specimens.
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