Thank you all for this information. What I would call a Black Opal is characteristic of the third Opal in the image above. The very best ones have even more dramatic colour. I did not see such colour in the brooch given to QEII which is what prompted my query. Perhaps I have not seen a good photograph of the brooch. My apologies - I meant to say the second opal in the imagery supplied by Nellie. The third is a fire Opal. Sincere apologies.
--Previous Message-- : : It seems a black opal is not actually black. : Edit: I should add that I think the opal : brooch has a mixture of types of opals. : : : : --Previous Message-- : The term Black Opal refers to the strongly : coloured opals from Austraila, which : although still not "black" are : full of fiery reflective colours, shining : with shades of blue, green yellow orange and : many more - but they don't look : "black" at all, just not the : white, milky type found elsewhere in the : world. : : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opal : : : : --Previous Message-- : Thank you for this great research Nellie. As : ever you expand our knowledge. : I am puzzled by the media reports that Black : Opals were used in the brooch. From the : colour photos I have seen, it seems that : pale Opals were used. : I would appreciate your opinion and those of : other posters. : : --Previous Message-- : : : : : : : : : : : :