Top 5 Most Expensive Opal Gemstone in World

Charm and aura comes from within just like an opal gemstone

Opal is exceptionally captivating among gems. Its display of a radiant miniature rainbow gives off the shimmery effects, all combined within. Opal is mainly sourced from Australia. However, it can also be resourced from Ethiopia, Mexico, and Brazil. In modern times, opals are adorned for their connection with creativity, emotional healing, and inspiration, reflecting harmonious values.

In Vedic Astrology, Opal is associated with the Venus Planet which symbolizes charm, beauty, luxury, creativity, and love. Opal is the birthstone of October which makes it favorable for zodiac signs such as Libra, Pisces, and Scorpio.Opal Stone is connected to the Sacral chakra (Svadhishthana) which is beneficial for eye-related problems.

Australian opal is recognized as the most expensive and valuable gem around the world which is ethically mined too. The rarest opals, famous as “Aurora Australis,” also originate from Australia. The mesmerizing Aurora Australis was found at Lightning Ridge, New South Wales in 1938 and is regarded as the world’s most valuable Black Opal.

Let’s Explore the Top 5 Most Luxurious and Expensive Opals

Among the many opals, a few stand out for their incredible beauty, rarity, and high value. Here is the description about the most expensive opal stones, each with a fascinating story and unique origin. Let’s explore the top 5 most expensive opals, each one hypnotizing with its special charm and appeal.

1. Flame Queen Opal

Flame Queen Opal

The Flame Queen opal is the most cherished and celebrated around the world. Resourced from the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia. It is famous for its enchanting play of colors and its unique pattern (known as the “harlequin” pattern), which makes it aesthetically pleasing.

Flame queen opal is the most expensive opal than others. Many trusted journals and paparazzi believed that the record-breaking Flame Queen opal sale was recorded in 1980. It was auctioned by Christie’s to a private client via David Callaghan. The amount equates to roughly INR 280,670,000 (USD 3.4 million) as of now.

2. Olympic Australis Opal

Olympic Australis Opal

The Olympic Australis opal is truly a hypnotic gem of nature. The Guinness Book of World Records has appraised it as the largest and most valuable opal ever found. Named after the Olympic games held in Melbourne the year it was discovered in 1956 near the town of Coober Pedy in South Australia. The opal was discovered at a depth of 9.1 meters (30 feet).

It measures 11 inches long, 4.5 inches high, 4 3⁄4 inches wide, and weighs miraculously 17,000 carats and was valued at roughly INR 206,375,000 (USD 2.5 Million) in 1997. The overall stone has a white background color with ample play of color.

3. Halley’s Comet Opal

Halley’s Comet Opal

Halley’s comet opal is one of the most extraordinary and magnificent opals ever discovered. The famous journals stated that this charming opal gets its name from the fact that it was discovered in 1910. The same year when Halley's comet made its appearance. It has a rare pattern which resembles the tail of a comet.

The gemstone was resourced from White Cliffs, New South Wales, Australia. Halley’s Comet Opal weighs approximately 198 carats and was roughly priced at INR 99,060,000 (USD 1.2 million) in 2005.

4. Virgin Rainbow Opal

Virgin Rainbow Opal

The virgin rainbow opal is one of the most fascinating and spellbinding opals to ever exist. It is a pipe-shaped precious opal that is 2.5 inches long and features a majestic play of color throughout the stone.

It was discovered in the three-mile fields in Coober Pedy, Australia in 2003 by Johnny Dunstan, and weighs approximately 72.65 carats and was roughly worth over INR 82,550,000 (USD 1 million).

5. Aurora Australis Opal

Aurora Australis Opal

The Aurora Australis opal has an impressive pattern that includes flashes of all the spectral colors, the most dominant being red, green, and blue. It was founded in Lightning Ridge, Australia in 1938 by Charlie Dunstan.

It has an impression of a starfish on the reverse of the stone. Famous journals stated that this impressive gemstone weighs 180 carats. The gem was purchased by the company “Altmann & Cherny” when it was in a semi-rough state. Further, they polished it into an oval shape 3 x 1.8 inches, and it is estimated as one of the most valuable black opals in the world with a value of USD 1 million.

Conclusion

Opals, with their enchanting display of colors and rich history, continue to captivate and inspire. From one of the World’s most expensive opal (Flame Queen Opal) to the magnificent opal (Aurora Australis), these gemstones not only hold immense value but also tell fascinating stories of their origins. Celebrated for their connection to creativity, emotional healing, and inspiration, opals are cherished across cultures and histories. Whether you are drawn to their beauty or their mythological significance, opals remain one of the most valuable opal and treasured gemstones in the world.

FAQs

1. Is opal more expensive than gold?

Opals can be more expensive than gold but it depends upon the quality of the opal such as play-of-color, rarity, origin, and carat. Some exclusive and high-quality opals, like black opals or those with extraordinary color patterns, can be more expensive than gold by weight. However, gold typically has a consistent market value, making it more expectedly expensive per ounce.

2. What is the rarest opal in the world?

Black opals are considered to be the rarest (white opals are common). The contrast of play-of-color makes black opals very popular. Many buyers and collectors favor the dark background color of black opal.

3. Is opal rarer than diamond?

Yes, opals are rarer than diamonds. Silica is one of the most generic minerals on the planet, but precious opals are very rare, far more rare than diamonds. Precious opals are because the natural process that creates them rarely occurs.

4. What is the most expensive opal ever sold?

Flame queen opal is the most expensive opal than other opals. Many trusted journals and paparazzi believed that the record-breaking Flame Queen Opal sale was recorded in 1980. It was auctioned by Christie’s to a private client via David Callaghan. The amount equates to roughly INR 280,670,000 (USD 3.4 million) as of now. It’s also called the “Fire Queen” opal and “Dunstan’s stone”.

5. What is opal good for?

According to Indian Astrology, an opal gemstone helps in bringing clarity to an unclear situation or emotion. It can also be used as a healing and cleansing stone to eliminate any negative energy and unwanted thoughts.

6. Where is the most expensive opal found?

Flame queen opal is the most expensive opal and it is resourced from the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.