That is a beautiful looking stone Annie. Many thanks for posting it. Depending on price, I would buy such a stone but, if the dealer insisted it was a black opal, I would want an expert opinion with the expert appointed by me or a recognised industry leader. Not all opals from Lightning Ridge are black opals.
We could debate this for ever, unless one of our posters is an expert gemologist specialising in opals. Of course such an expert would need to see any individual stone to make a definite judgement, and none of us are likely to be able to examine HM's brooch closely.
--Previous Message-- : Great to see some clear pictures of HM`s Opal : Flowering Gum brooch, thanks for the pics : Arthur. I was just looking at a site selling : black opals from Lightening Ridge, NSW, : Australia, mostly direct from miners & : some of them looked like a milk opal but : they were still advertised as black opal, : such as this one for example. : : : : :