Black opal mined from Lightning Ridge has always had good reputation for blue opals on black
These opals in the 1980s were common in the Cochran opal fields at Lightning Ridge and these were Nobby opals not seam opal, that is the opal was formed naturally in rock with black potch on top and bottom.
The seam opal has lighter black back and sometimes with grey or sandy potch on top
So black opal nobbies are best investment opal as from 1990s production of black nobbies has dramatically decreased and only seam opal is found today
So all the buyers of black opal with blue colour have made good investment and enjoyed their opal
Some blue opal from Lightning Ridge has magic electric blue fire and flash and also some best natural patterns of opals are in blue colour, from broad flash to block pattern and they are very attractive in white gold ring
These days white gold jewellery is very popular and some crystal opals do not suit white gold jewellery but black opals blue colour are stunning, even set with diamonds they look so attractive to the eye
Black opal has promoted red fire opal as the best opal for investment.
Rating colour of black opals are as follows
Red
Orange
Green
Blue
But Blue opal has been under valued as investment opal, black opal with red fire has increased in value 50% per year over last 10 years. Black opal with cabochon and good flash has doubled that figure to make it the best investment colour if you had purchased blue fire opal 10 years ago
Also when purchasing opal over the internet always ask seller if opal is as bright as picture, so good idea to ask for picture of hand holding the opal as the picture cant be enhanced as the colour of skin looks different ,either greyish or pinkish looking means the picture has been enhanced
Opal is also rated in accordance to brightness 1 dullest 5 brightest
Body tone which is how the opal is visual is also measured from N 1as blackest to N9 as lightest opal
Also check with seller that the bottom of opal is clean ,that’s is all natural potch ,black preferred to grey or if potch/sand is evident on bottom
Lastly the more cabochon the opal also the more valuable ,so flat opals are generally less expensive than well domed opals
Opals that are domed reflect light better and rolling flash pattern is very popular as shows colour from all angles
Enjoy your own Blue Opal!