Lightning Ridge Black Seam Opal Huge Gem Chunk Rough- 7 g - (1)
04
days
15
hours
59
minutes
47
seconds
Current bid
€ 1
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Georgia Foteinou
Holds BSc in geology and post-graduate qualifications in geochemistry.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
 | €1 |
|---|
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 143313 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Lightning Ridge Black Opal rough gemstone, weighing 7 g, originating from Grawin, Lightning Ridge, Australia.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
35.14 cts Lightning Ridge Blue Untouched Rough Opal Large Cutters Gem.
Dimensions (mm) 36 x 30 x 7mm
Weight (cts) 35.14
Type Rough
### Australian Lightning Ridge Black Opal – One of the World's Rarest Opals
Lightning Ridge Black Opal is one of Australia's most famous and highly prized gemstones. Mined around **Lightning Ridge, New South Wales**, these remarkable opals are renowned for their naturally dark body tone and exceptional play-of-colour, with flashes of electric blue, green, orange, yellow and the highly prized red.
### Ancient Origins & Formation
The opal-bearing sediments of Lightning Ridge were deposited during the **Cretaceous Period**, when dinosaurs still roamed Australia. The geological sediments in which the opal occurs are approximately **100 million years old**.
Over immense periods of time, silica-rich groundwater travelled through the ancient sedimentary rocks, filling tiny cavities, cracks and spaces. As the water slowly evaporated, microscopic particles of hydrated silica were left behind. Layer upon layer accumulated and eventually formed natural opal.
The incredible play-of-colour occurs when light interacts with the microscopic silica spheres within precious opal, causing light to diffract and produce its spectacular flashes of colour.
### A Remarkable Mining History
Lightning Ridge became internationally famous for its black opal discoveries in the early **20th century**. Opal mining has traditionally been carried out by individual miners and small mining operations, with the harsh Australian landscape making every discovery a hard-earned prize.
Some of the world's most famous and valuable black opals have originated from Lightning Ridge, making the region synonymous with exceptional Australian opal.
### Metaphysical Properties
Within metaphysical traditions, Black Opal is associated with **protection, intuition, creativity and transformation**. It is often believed to encourage confidence, emotional strength and self-expression while helping the wearer connect with their inner intuition.
Black Opal is also traditionally considered a stone of **mystery, inspiration and passion**, making it particularly appealing to collectors and those who appreciate the spiritual symbolism surrounding gemstones.
*Metaphysical and healing properties are traditional beliefs and are not scientifically proven medical treatments.*
### A Piece of Ancient Australia
Every Lightning Ridge Black Opal is completely unique. Its individual colour pattern, body tone and natural formation were created by geological processes taking place over **tens of millions of years**.
Owning a Lightning Ridge Black Opal means owning more than a beautiful gemstone — it is a **natural piece of ancient Australian geological history**, created long before humans walked the Earth.
35.14 cts Lightning Ridge Blue Untouched Rough Opal Large Cutters Gem.
Dimensions (mm) 36 x 30 x 7mm
Weight (cts) 35.14
Type Rough
### Australian Lightning Ridge Black Opal – One of the World's Rarest Opals
Lightning Ridge Black Opal is one of Australia's most famous and highly prized gemstones. Mined around **Lightning Ridge, New South Wales**, these remarkable opals are renowned for their naturally dark body tone and exceptional play-of-colour, with flashes of electric blue, green, orange, yellow and the highly prized red.
### Ancient Origins & Formation
The opal-bearing sediments of Lightning Ridge were deposited during the **Cretaceous Period**, when dinosaurs still roamed Australia. The geological sediments in which the opal occurs are approximately **100 million years old**.
Over immense periods of time, silica-rich groundwater travelled through the ancient sedimentary rocks, filling tiny cavities, cracks and spaces. As the water slowly evaporated, microscopic particles of hydrated silica were left behind. Layer upon layer accumulated and eventually formed natural opal.
The incredible play-of-colour occurs when light interacts with the microscopic silica spheres within precious opal, causing light to diffract and produce its spectacular flashes of colour.
### A Remarkable Mining History
Lightning Ridge became internationally famous for its black opal discoveries in the early **20th century**. Opal mining has traditionally been carried out by individual miners and small mining operations, with the harsh Australian landscape making every discovery a hard-earned prize.
Some of the world's most famous and valuable black opals have originated from Lightning Ridge, making the region synonymous with exceptional Australian opal.
### Metaphysical Properties
Within metaphysical traditions, Black Opal is associated with **protection, intuition, creativity and transformation**. It is often believed to encourage confidence, emotional strength and self-expression while helping the wearer connect with their inner intuition.
Black Opal is also traditionally considered a stone of **mystery, inspiration and passion**, making it particularly appealing to collectors and those who appreciate the spiritual symbolism surrounding gemstones.
*Metaphysical and healing properties are traditional beliefs and are not scientifically proven medical treatments.*
### A Piece of Ancient Australia
Every Lightning Ridge Black Opal is completely unique. Its individual colour pattern, body tone and natural formation were created by geological processes taking place over **tens of millions of years**.
Owning a Lightning Ridge Black Opal means owning more than a beautiful gemstone — it is a **natural piece of ancient Australian geological history**, created long before humans walked the Earth.
Details
Number of objects
1
Main mineral
Lightning Ridge Black Seam Opal Huge Gem Chunk
Mineral form
Rough
Weight
7 g
Origin (region/city)
Grawin, Lightning Ridge
Country of origin
Australia
Sold by
