Black and Crystal Black Opal - Green/Blue
Lightning Ridge Australia

This chart is used when green or blue is the primary play of color against a dark background such as Lightning Ridge Australia Black Opal. Blue Green Black crystal when held to light can be seen through. Large sheets (patterns) of blue or green bright color may be valued at higher prices, called "broadflash". Note - These are retail prices.

Black and Crystal Black Opal - Red/Orange
Lightning Ridge Australia

This chart is used when red or orange is the primary play of color against a dark background - Lightning Ridge Australia is the sole source. Red Multi-color may be priced higher in each category while single color may be priced lower (like green). A Black crystal is solid bright colors againts a dark background but when held to light can "illuminate". When special patterns, images or "rolling flash" is visible higher prices may be necessary. Note - These are retail prices.

Australian Crystal Opal

Crystal Opal means "clear" when held to light, it can be very subtle colors to vivid brightness and patterns found in Andamooka solid crystal opal. It may demand up to 40-60% premium due to extreme durability. It is not known to craze. Note - These are retail prices.

Australian White Opal (Coober Pedy)

White opal comes from South Australia from white with no color, to pinfire colors of all brightness, to even bright flashes of color. Some of the white opals may have a greyish undertone. Typically white opals are opaque to translucent. Note - These are retail prices.

Boulder Opals

This chart is used when Queensland or Andamooka Boulder Opals with a dark background with a play of colors in pinfire or small flashes or flakes appear. The more % of the surface with colors versus "brown" matrix determines value as well as brightness. Blue greens is much more common, reds add to all prices. Note - These are retail prices. Prices are typically quoted per piece NOT carats.

Yowah Nuts

This chart is used when Yowah Nuts of Australia is the boulder opal. These light brown to dark brown ironstone "nut" shaped rocks, appear bland on the outside but inside may have spectacular colors or pockets of color as shown in the image. When a piece is full of color and is split for earrings as seen in this image prices may be higher in each category. When artistic special patterns, images or designs appear prices may be quoted higher. Often there is just "specs" of color or even no color just a cool pattern.

Mexican Fire Opal

Reddish-orange body color only, typically faceted like diamonds. May also be bright yellow, bright red (Rarest) and several shades of all of these "fire" colors. Mexican Opals with real flashes of color - greens, oranges, reds and even blues are the most sought after and rarest of all Mexican opals and these prices DO NOT reflect stones with colors beyond the base. Note - These are retail prices.