Opals are unlike any other gemstone. Where diamonds sparkle and sapphires shine, opals dance. They hold shifting fire within them — flashes of colour that move with the light, like rainbows caught in stone.
But not all opals are the same. From natural boulder opals to carefully layered doublets and triplets, and even the dreamy man-made glow of opalite, each form tells its own story.
In this post, I’ll guide you through the differences so you can fall in love with the type of opal that speaks most to you.
Boulder Opals: Earth and Fire Entwined
Boulder opals are among the most striking and natural forms of opal. They form within ironstone, where veins of colour run through the rock like rivers of light. Rather than being cut away, the host stone is left in place, creating dramatic patterns where earthy tones meet flashes of electric blues, greens, and purples.
No two boulder opals are ever alike — they are raw and untamed, a true meeting of earth and fire.
Opal Doublets: A Slice of Colour
An opal doublet is made by taking a thin slice of precious opal and carefully layering it onto a dark backing, often ironstone or black potch. The backing acts like a canvas, deepening the colour play of the opal and making its flashes appear brighter.
Doublets are a beautiful way to enjoy the vibrancy of opal without the higher price of a solid stone. They allow jewellers to make use of delicate slices that might otherwise be too thin to work with.
Opal Triplets: Protected Brilliance
Triplets take the idea of a doublet one step further. A thin slice of opal is layered onto a dark backing and then covered with a clear dome of quartz or glass.
This not only protects the delicate opal but also magnifies its colours, making the flashes appear even more vivid. Triplets are durable, eye-catching, and often more affordable than solid opals, making them a popular choice for jewellery lovers.
Opalite: The Moonlit Imposter
Though often mistaken for opal, opalite is not a natural gemstone. It is a man-made glass, designed to glow with a soft, ethereal shimmer. Where natural opals dazzle with fire, opalite feels like moonlight trapped in stone — subtle, dreamy, and beautiful in its own way.
While it doesn’t carry the natural magic of opal, opalite has its own following for its luminous quality and calming aesthetic.
Which One Should You Choose?
Each type of opal has its own charm:
- Boulder opals are perfect for those who love natural, earthy, and truly unique stones.
- Doublets are vibrant, affordable, and full of fire.
- Triplets offer protection and enhanced brilliance.
- Opalite is budget-friendly and enchanting with its moonlit glow.
No matter which you choose, each holds a kind of magic — a reminder that beauty can take many forms.
✨ At Louella Jewellery, I work with a variety of gemstones, always choosing those that carry both beauty and meaning. If you’d like to see which opals are currently in my collection, you can explore them here.
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