From Helene F. Campbell
Found only in Western Queensland, Australia, boulder opals are quite rare. They display the wonderful colours of other opals but are mixed with ironstone, making them more durable.
They’re similar in their physical properties, including shape and colour. The main difference is boulder opals have a layer of solid ironstone on their backs. And, because they’re mixed with ironstone, they are more durable. Plus, the ironstone makes the colour of boulder opals even more iridescent and beautiful.
Boulder opals formed millions of years ago. They occur as thin veins of opal in the cracks of rocks after they’ve mixed with water. When the water seeps into the cracks, ironstone forms. When cut, the natural ironstone remains as the backing, and the opal is then mixed with ironstone, displaying flashing flecks of colour throughout.
Hand assembled in house at Tall Trees Studio, the Boulder Opal Beads are on Australian Recycled Sterling Silver Pins and Argentium hooks, again made in house at Tall Trees Studio.
The earrings are 55mm long from the top of the hooks and are 7mm at their widest.
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Found only in Western Queensland, Australia, boulder opals are quite rare. They display the wonderful colours of other opals but are mixed with ironstone, making them more durable.
They’re similar in their physical properties, including shape and colour. The main difference is boulder opals have a layer of solid ironstone on their backs. And, because they’re mixed with ironstone, they are more durable. Plus, the ironstone makes the colour of boulder opals even more iridescent and beautiful.
Boulder opals formed millions of years ago. They occur as thin veins of opal in the cracks of rocks after they’ve mixed with water. When the water seeps into the cracks, ironstone forms. When cut, the natural ironstone remains as the backing, and the opal is then mixed with ironstone, displaying flashing flecks of colour throughout.
Hand assembled in house at Tall Trees Studio, the Boulder Opal Beads are on Australian Recycled Sterling Silver Pins and Argentium hooks, again made in house at Tall Trees Studio.
The earrings are 55mm long from the top of the hooks and are 7mm at their widest.
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