Black opal is one of the many fascinating varieties of opal available today and it also happens to be one of the most popular varieties. In 2008, Australia officially recognized this and proclaimed black opal to be the official state gemstone for New South Wales. Common opal was already the official gemstone representing all of Australia, because, amazingly, almost all of the world's supply of black opal is mined from New South Wales and an astonishing 97% of all common opal is sourced from Australia.Black opal is by far the most valuable and appreciated of all opal varieties, especially those from Australia's famous Lightning Ridge. Often, black opal stones will contain aspects of common opal which remain intact throughout production. Typically, common opal is strategically left on the backside of finished black opal stones. The common opal, referred to as 'potch', actually enhances the black opal body tone and accentuates the boisterous vibrancy of other colors that black opal can radiate. It is because of black opal's ability to display such vivid and intense colors that black opal is considered to be the most valuable type of opal available today.
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