What does a top gem black opal look like?

In all the time I have been dealing in opals from Lightning Ridge, I have seen some pretty amazing gemstones.

But don’t you think the term “top gem” has become a bit overused lately? eBay is awash with claims of having the best opal ever—”museum-grade,” they like to say. Many who have drunk a bit too much PR Kool-Aid also use the term liberally—and I’m sure I’ve been guilty of it too!

So, in an age of overuse, is there such a thing as a top gem black opal? What does it look like? Here are the top four attributes.

1. Natural – not treated
2. Sedimentary (as opposed to xxx) also talk about hardness in comparison
3. Defined pattern
4. Bright colour – dominant blues and reds

I created this post to explore the best opal colors out there. If you can afford opals like the ones displayed here, you are experiencing a luxury that many don’t. These opals set the benchmark, allowing you to compare and see what you’re up against. Black opal is the best in the world, but it must be untreated, natural, and sedimentary.

Top Black Opal

The ultimate black opal showcases a combination of blue and red colors. These colors are at the ends of the spectrum when silica spheres are perfectly stacked in a gem-quality opal.