Black Opal 13.4x10.61mm Free Form Cabochon 3.73ct

Australian Lightning Ridge opal 3.73ct 13.40x10.61x4.58mm free form cabochon with flashfire play of color. The gemstone was mined and cut in Australia. The stone has been appraised by Craig Lynch G.G. for $5,375.00.

Ancient Roman scholar and author Pliny the Elder once wrote, "there is in them a softer fire than the ruby, there is the brilliant purple of the amethyst, and the sea green of the emerald - all shining together in incredible union." What a magnificent tribute to opal, a stone often called the "Queen of Gems." Prized for its unique and fiery play of color phenomenon, no opal is more treasured than black opal, especially those found in the Lightning Ridge mining fields of southeastern Australia. After precious black opals were discovered there in the early 20th century, Lightning Ridge quickly became the world's major source of the finest black opal. The most coveted of all opal varieties, black opal is called the "King of Opals." Its dark background color sets the spectral colors ablaze, much like a storm cloud behind a rainbow. Today, the Lightning Ridge fields yield little of these precious opals, which led to its increased desirability among collectors across the globe.

JTV's President's Collection offers prestigious gemstones hand-selected by our very own President and Chief Executive Officer of Jewelry Television, Tim Matthews.

Tim is an accomplished scholar and life member of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A). His academic credentials include a Juris Doctor (JD) from Harvard Law School, Gemmology (FGA) and Diamond (DGA) diplomas from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, and a Graduate Gemologist (GG) diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

With a deep passion for gemstones and jewelry, he has personally curated each item in this exquisite collection. When you acquire an item from JTV's President's Collection, you can be assured that you have a special gem from our most exclusive collection. Each gem from this collection will come in special packaging with a certification card signed by our President and CEO. Share this premier collection with our very own gem enthusiast Tim Matthews and grow your collection through JTV's President's Collection from The Vault by Jewelry Television.

Craig A. Lynch, G.G., is an Accredited Senior Gemologist and Certified Insurance Appraiser. Mr. Lynch has more than 35 years experience in the jewelry and gemstone industries and is the owner of Ouellet and Lynch, an independent appraisal firm in Phoenix, AZ. His company appraises fine jewelry for retail stores in the western U.S. and regularly appraises and consults for law firms, banks and private individuals. Mr. Lynch has served for more than 10 years on the Board of Directors of the International Accredited Gemologists Association. He is a past president of the Arizona Jewelers Association as well as a member of the Jewelers of America and the Jewelers Security Alliance. A published author, Mr. Lynch has appeared on numerous television shows as a jewelry expert and prides himself in keeping abreast of the latest developments in the gemological field.