Black Opals

Black Opal is opal formed with a bar of gem coloured opal  

on a natural black/dark opal base. The dark opal base shows  the gem colours more brilliantly than in any other kind of opal.  When the base colour is grey rather than black, the opal may  be referred to as ‘semi-black’ or ‘grey’. Black opal is the most  rare and valuable opal type. Nearly all of the world’s supply  

of black opal is mined at Lightning Ridge.