Australian Pink Opal Value Guide

Australian Pink Opal is a highly prized variety of hydrated amorphous silica, distinguished by its unique soft pink and creamy coloration. These specimens are significant to collectors for their historical connection to late 19th-century Australian mining and their reputation as stones of emotional healing.

What Is Australian Pink Opal Worth?

The typical price range for Australian Pink Opal is $70 - $100 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Intensity and saturation of the pink color, with deeper pinks generally commanding higher prices.
• Overall size and weight of the raw specimen, typically valued between $70 and $100 for quality pieces.
• The presence of unique natural inclusions that do not compromise the structural integrity of the stone.
• The quality of the raw, unpolished surface and the lack of significant artificial treatments.

How to Identify Australian Pink Opal?

• Look for the characteristic 'Upala' luster which presents as a soft, waxy sheen rather than a glassy sparkle.
• Verify the presence of natural inclusions and a mix of creamy white and pink hues typical of Australian deposits.
• Confirm the material is non-crystalline and exhibits a conchoidal fracture pattern common to amorphous silica.
• Check for the absence of play-of-color, as pink opals are common opals rather than precious opals.

History of Australian Pink Opal

Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica; its name is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Upala', meaning 'precious stone'. Australian opals, particularly the pink variety, are highly prized for their unique coloration and are often associated with emotional healing and spiritual awakening. Mining of opals in Australia dates back to the late 19th century.