discover our exclusive range
OF
gold australian opal jewellery
handcrafted to honour
each individual gemstone
EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION
sourced exclusively by australian gemstone curator, opalily.
opals direct from the mines!
Feel secure knowing your opal jewellery is Natural, solid, ethically sourced.
every piece is one of a kind, just like you !
Your Guide to Buying Opal Jewellery
How to Pick an Opal
Enthralled by the idea of possessing your unique opal piece? Unsure of what you are looking for or where to begin?
Choosing an opal is a mesmerizing experience due to the unique beauty and variety of colors found in these gemstones.
Please see the below guide for some helpful hints to choosing your own piece of the rainbow joy.
Types of Opal
Opal is the gemstone of ultimate choice and variation.
🫧 Black Opal: The most prized due to its dark body color, which provides a stunning backdrop for the play-of-color.
🫧 White Opal: Has a light body color with flashes of color.
🫧 Boulder Opal: Features thin layers of opal formed within ironstone boulders, often displaying bright, vivid colors.
🫧 Fire Opal: Ranges from yellow to orange to red, with some varieties exhibiting play-of-color and others not.
How is Opal valued?
Consider the Play-of-Color
The vibrant, play-of-colour sheen is what makes Australian opal gemstones so incredibly beautiful and unique. This is the shifting spectrum of colours that changes with the angle of view or light. Evaluate the brightness, range, and pattern of colours. Generally, opals with a brighter and more diverse play-of-colour are more valuable.
Examine the Brightness
Brightness refers to how vivid the play-of-colour is within the opal. The brightness scale ranges from brilliant to dull. The more brilliant an opal's color play, the more valuable it is considered.
Check for Clarity and Inclusions
Look for any visible inclusions or blemishes that might affect the opal's beauty or durability. However, some inclusions are considered acceptable depending on the type of opal.
Determine the Size and Shape
Opals are sold by weight (carats) and their size and shape can affect their use in jewelry. Consider what you’re looking for in terms of setting and style when choosing an opal's size and shape.
Evaluate the Colours Visible
The range and balance of colors within the play-of-colour can significantly affect an opal's appeal and value. Red flashes are generally more valued than blue or green, but personal preference should guide your choice.
Assess the Body Tone
The body tone of an opal refers to the darkness or lightness of the stone excluding its play-of-colour. Black opals are the rarest and usually the most expensive due to their dark body tone which enhances the play-of-colour.
Cut and Finish
A well-cut opal will have a smooth surface with no scratches or pits. The cut should enhance the stone’s play-of-colour and ensure it sits well in jewelry.
Trust Your Aesthetic Preference
While technical characteristics can guide the value, choosing an opal is also a deeply personal decision. Trust your instincts and choose a stone that speaks to you, whether it's for its brilliance, colour combination, or simply its unique beauty.
Verify Authenticity and Source
Ensure you're buying from a reputable dealer who provides certifications for their gemstones. Knowing the opal's origin can also add to its value and desirability.
By considering these factors, you can choose an opal that not only holds value but also personal significance and beauty.
What We Offer
Each piece in our collection, from the vibrant Winton Boulder Opal to the luminous Lightning Ridge Crystal and Black Opal, have been meticulously handcrafted. Opalily has exclusive access to the fines craftspeople, in particular Stone Setters, Jewellers and Master Jeweller, who ensure every Opalily pieces dance with colour, grace and life, inviting you to find that ideal addition to your style or the perfect gift for someone special.
Why ?
Our passion is fuelled by the splendid colours visible in Australian Opal, their intense energy and glassy cabochon finishes. Our heart lies in designing with exquisite and rare natural gems.
Opal's intense dance of colour, contrasted perfectly against the beautiful ironstone host rock, has captivated us from the beginning.
Each piece tells a story, a narrative woven from the earth. We delicately and meticulously design pieces which honour these precious ancient stones, so they can become a part of your legacy.
How We Create
Our journey begins in the heart of Australia's opal fields, nurtured by longstanding connections with opal miners and the gemstone industry. Opalily has privileged access allowing us to handpick the finest quality opal gems.
Each piece of jewellery is a labor of love, handcrafted to perfection. Our commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing mirrors our dedication to quality and the stories told through each piece of jewellery.
Showcasing mesmerising beauty abundant within the trinity of Australian opal:
🫧 Winton Boulder Opal – Famous for rich colour dancing in contrast to the ironstone or sandstone host rock
🫧 Lightning Ridge Crystal & Black Opal – Famous for vibrant play of colours which paint the sky in your hands
🫧 Coober Pedy White Opal – A serene light that echoes the purity of the outback, whispering the tales of our ancient earth
Discover our exclusive range here and let the magic of Australian opals enchant your world!
Fast and Reliable Delivery
Opalily provides fast and reliable delivery services.
Your order will be dispatched within three business days and will be securely packaged.
Returns and Refunds
Please contact us if you have any problems with your order. Your satisfaction is of utmost importance.
If for any reason you are not happy with your order, we offer a 30 day return & exchange policy for our items.
Please read our Assurances and Refund Policy for more information.
Did you know ...
Opal is the only gemstone which has the ability to exhibit every visible colour of the rainbow. This is due to its unique structure of microscopic silica beads cause light diffraction and visible colour.
This colour phenomenon is a result of its distinctive silica bead structure diffracting white light, revealing incredible deep blues and greens to golden oranges, even pastel pinks, and vivid royal purple, embodying every imaginable hue.
Mulla Mulla is a striking Australian native plant found commonly in rocky Australian Outback settings. Mulla Mulla holds cultural significance for Indigenous Australian communities and are often featured in Dreamtime Stories.
Mulla Mulla Oasis Opalton, QLD
Truly a spectacular sight to see!
Once yearly, a flourish of purple amongst an otherwise barren ironstone clad earth.
