Is It Really Black Opal? | Opal Intelligence

Why We Created a Body Tone and Brightness Reference Chart for You

Having worked with Lightning Ridge opal for many years, we understand how important it is for buyers, collectors and newcomers to the industry to have reliable ways of understanding what they are looking at, particularly when buying opal online.

Terms such as Black Opal and Dark Opal are sometimes used loosely. In many cases this is simply enthusiasm or misunderstanding, but the distinction matters. Once an opal falls within the Black Opal body tone range, it can have a significant effect on how the stone is described, assessed and ultimately valued.

That does not mean an opal needs to be Black Opal to be beautiful, desirable or valuable. Exceptional Dark Opal, Crystal Opal and lighter body toned stones can also command substantial prices. What matters is understanding what the stone actually is and being able to make an informed assessment.

Brightness is equally important. Two opals with the same body tone can present very differently depending on the strength and intensity of their colour. Body tone and brightness therefore provide two important reference points when describing and assessing an opal, although neither should ever be considered in isolation.

For people who have spent years around opal, physical body tone and brightness references are sometimes collected over time. I have gathered several myself. But these reference tools can be surprisingly difficult to track down, particularly for people outside Australia, and not everyone has access to the industry or the opportunity to build their own collection of reference material.

That is why we created the Opal Hub Australia Body Tone and Brightness Chart.

We wanted anyone, anywhere in the world, to be able to access a clear, consistent and high quality reference they could keep in their own home or workspace.

The chart is designed to give buyers, collectors, cutters and anyone learning about opal a practical point of comparison. It can help you better understand how opal is described, assess your own stones and develop greater confidence when comparing different pieces.

We have also included clear instructions for using and printing the chart at home. For the best possible result, follow the recommended print settings and use the specified paper type listed with the chart. Paper stock, printer settings, screen differences and lighting can all affect how colour and tone appear, so using the recommended setup will give you the most consistent result.

The chart is not intended to replace experience. Opal is an extraordinarily complex gemstone, and there is always more to learn. Body tone and brightness are only part of a much larger picture that can include colour, pattern, transparency, size, shape, condition, rarity and overall visual appeal.

But having quality reference tools gives people a stronger foundation from which to learn.

For us, that is an important part of Opal Intelligence. Education gives buyers greater confidence, helps create more consistent terminology across the industry and allows newcomers to develop their knowledge without having to rely solely on what they are told.

We want quality opal education to be accessible, regardless of whether someone is in Lightning Ridge, elsewhere in Australia or on the other side of the world.

Our Body Tone and Brightness Chart is available as an educational resource through Opal Hub Australia. We also provide printed charts to our customers so they have a physical reference available when assessing opal at home.

Download your Body Tone and Brightness Chart here.

For best results, follow the printing instructions provided with the chart.

To learn more about the different types, grades and characteristics of Lightning Ridge opal, visit our About Opals page.

Opal is something you can spend a lifetime learning about. Having the right tools is a good place to start.