I really think that the photo I posted in another message shows the fiery colours in HMs brooch, allowing for varied light as it falls on each stone
We have seen from the recent wearings, too, that the stones transform not just with the light, but with the background colour they are worn against.
What we need is a series of further appearances so that we can see in great detail!
--Previous Message-- : 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-- : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :