Precious opal – Dubnik, Slovakia

The precious opal from Dubnik in Slovakia is considered one of the rarest and most beautiful gemstones in the world. This exceptional stone was formed millions of years ago during post-volcanic activity, when the specific chemical and physical conditions necessary for its formation were met in a volcano. Even the slightest change in these conditions could have prevented the formation of such a rare gemstone. Dubniky opal stands out for its colour, where light passing through the specific microstructure of the stone creates a breathtaking optical phenomenon, which the human eye perceives as moving color rays. The body of the stone is usually white or translucent, which further accentuates its color play.

The history of opal mining in Dubnik dates back to the 16th century, when Emperor Rudolf II issued a permit for their search. Mining became so important that interest in opals skyrocketed and the precious stones were sought after by European nobility and rulers. Among the famous personalities who owned jewellery with opals from Dubnica were Maria Theresa, Napoleon Bonaparte, King Louis XVIII, Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria (Sissi) and Queen Victoria. The historical significance of these gems is evidenced by the price that the opals achieved - the value often exceeded the price of 100 grams of pure gold for 1 carat of opal. The British Royal Family, for example, paid the equivalent of seven million euros for a single opal.

The heyday of opal mining in Dubnik occurred between 1830 and 1896. Although opals were discovered in Australia in the mid-19th century, Dubnik opals retained their prestige and remained the most sought-after opals in the world. Their uniqueness was heightened after the tragedy of 1950, when a valuable collection of more than 366,000 opals was destroyed in a museum fire, further adding to their rarity.

Nowadays, deep mining is no longer taking place in Dubnik, but individuals continue to uncover rocks and search for opals by hand. These stones are still highly valued by collectors and jewellers for their rarity and unique beauty. Despite its high cost, the Dubnica opal retains its status as an exceptional investment, and its value continues to rise due to limited natural reserves and increasing demand.

Precious opals are distinguished from common synthetic imitations by their long history and origin from exclusive localities such as Dubnik. While synthetic opals can lose their color and quality, genuine opals from Dubnik are known for their stable and enduring beauty.