Marcus Tempus
A softly luminous pear-shaped Opal sits at the centre of this delicate cluster pendant, surrounded by a halo of round diamonds that catches the light without overpowering the natural character of the gemstone.
Every Opal is naturally individual. Subtle flashes of green, blue, pink and warm golden colour can appear as the stone moves through the light, meaning the exact pattern and play-of-colour will vary slightly from one pendant to another. That individuality is part of what makes Opal such a distinctive choice of gemstone.
The pear-shaped Opal is framed by 12 round diamonds, creating an elegant cluster design that works beautifully for everyday wear while still offering enough sparkle for something more special. Ntinga lists the Opal at 0.18ct, with a 0.10ct diamond surround in H/Si quality.
Supplied by Marcus Tempus on an adjustable 16–18 inch curb chain, the pendant can be worn at either length depending on neckline and styling. The design can also be made in yellow, white or rose gold, making it easy to choose the metal that best complements the Opal.
Opal is one of October’s birthstones, making this a particularly lovely birthday gift — although its shifting natural colour makes it just as appealing for anyone who simply loves unusual gemstones.
The House of Gemstones
Opal can appear to hold colour rather than simply possess it. In precious opal, flashes of green, blue, yellow, orange, red and violet can move across the gemstone as the stone, light or viewer moves.
No two opals present their colour in quite the same way. Body colour, transparency, pattern, brightness and the distribution of play-of-colour all contribute to an individual stone’s character.
Colour Born from Structure
Precious opal’s play-of-colour is produced by the interaction of light with an ordered microscopic structure of silica spheres. Common opal lacks this spectral play-of-colour.Opal is softer and more sensitive than sapphire or diamond. Clean gently with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft damp cloth. Protect it from hard knocks, abrasion and extreme changes in temperature.
One Gem, Remarkably Different Personalities
White opal has a pale to milky body colour that can provide a soft backdrop for flashes of spectral colour.
Black opal has a dark body tone that can make play-of-colour appear especially vivid and dramatic. Fine black opal is among the most celebrated forms of precious opal.
Boulder opal forms in seams or cavities within ironstone. The natural host rock is intentionally retained as part of the finished gem, creating striking contrast and highly individual patterns.
Fire opal is defined by warm yellow, orange to red body colour. Some examples show play-of-colour, while others are valued primarily for their vivid body colour and may be transparent enough to facet.
Crystal opal is transparent to semi-transparent precious opal, allowing play-of-colour to appear suspended within the body of the gemstone.
In matrix opal, precious opal occurs through the pores or spaces of its host rock, creating a patterned appearance in which colour and matrix become part of one material.
Understanding Natural & Assembled Opal
Opal jewellery can contain a solid natural opal or an assembled stone. Treatments may also be used to alter appearance, so construction and disclosure are important when assessing an opal.
A solid opal is cut from a single piece of opal material rather than being assembled from separate layers.
A doublet combines a thin opal layer with a backing. A triplet also adds a transparent protective cap. These are assembled products and should be described as such.
Smoke, sugar/acid, dye, impregnation and other treatments may be encountered in some opals. Known treatment should be disclosed.
A Gemstone That Performs
Spectral colours can appear, disappear and move as the viewing angle changes, giving precious opal its unmistakable visual character.
The underlying body colour ranges from light to very dark and strongly influences the overall appearance and contrast of play-of-colour.
Colour may appear as pinfire, broad flashes, rolling patches, mosaic-like areas and many other natural arrangements.
The strength and liveliness of the colour display are central to the beauty of precious opal and can vary dramatically between stones.
Marcus Tempus Gemstone Selection
At Marcus Tempus, we select opal for personality rather than chasing a single formula. In precious opal, we consider brightness, pattern, colour range, body tone, transparency, stability and how beautifully the colour responds to movement. In fire opal, body colour and transparency may become the principal attraction.
Marcus Tempus Bespoke
Opal is wonderfully suited to one-of-a-kind jewellery because the gemstone itself can lead the design. Depending on availability, we can source around body tone, colour pattern, shape, dimensions and opal type, from luminous white opal to dramatic black and boulder opal or glowing fire opal.
Every natural opal is individual. Availability depends on type, body tone, pattern, colour, stability, treatment, construction, shape and dimensions.
Enquire About Bespoke Options →Opal Questions
Play-of-colour is the shifting display of spectral colours seen in precious opal as the stone, light or viewing angle changes.
Black opal is opal with a dark body tone. When it is precious opal, that dark background can create exceptional contrast with its play-of-colour.
Boulder opal forms with ironstone host rock, which is intentionally retained as part of the cut gemstone and can create dramatic natural patterns.
No. Fire opal is named for its yellow, orange or red body colour. It may show play-of-colour, but many beautiful examples do not.
Solid opal is one piece of opal material. A doublet has an opal layer attached to a backing, while a triplet adds a transparent cap above the opal layer.
Opal can be worn regularly, but with a Mohs hardness around 5–6.5 it needs more protection from scratches, impacts and sudden temperature changes than harder gemstones.
