Boulder opal forms in thin seams inside ironstone boulders in western Queensland. The cutter keeps a layer of the host rock as a natural backing, which is why the colour looks so vivid against the dark base. This freeform cabochon shows electric blue and green bars of colour across most of its face.
The stone is solid natural opal on its own ironstone, not a doublet or triplet, and it has not been treated. Boulder opal is not hydrophane, and the ironstone makes it tougher than most precious opal, although it still needs a setting that protects the edges.
The outline follows the natural seam, so no two boulder opals look the same. It suits a bezel-set pendant or a ring designed around the shape. The back shows ironstone with thin streaks of opal, which is normal.

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