Yes — opal has been found in the UK, but only in very small, uncommon, and mostly non‑gem‑quality forms.
🔹 What Kind of Opal Has Been Found?
Common opal (also called potch) has been recorded in several parts of the UK. This type of opal is typically milky or opaque and lacks the bright play‑of‑colour seen in precious opal.
These occurrences are small, rare, and not commercially mined like the major opal fields of Australia or Ethiopia.
🔹 Specific UK Occurrences
According to mineral records and geological reports, natural opal has been documented at several localities across the UK:
- Cornwall — including historic mining areas such as the Botallack Mine near St Just, where opal specimens have been recorded.
- North Roskear Mine, Camborne (Cornwall) — confirmed natural opal specimens have been found here.
- Mourne Mountains, County Down (Northern Ireland) — known for scattered opal occurrences within volcanic rock formations.
🔹 Gem‑Quality Opal?
Gem‑quality opal — the kind with vivid play‑of‑colour used in fine jewellery — is not known to occur naturally in the UK in commercially significant quantities. Most UK opal finds are common opal or very limited, low‑quality material.
🌍 Why This Happens
Opal forms when silica‑rich water deposits tiny spheres of silica into cracks and voids over long periods. These geological conditions are far more common in arid, volcanic, or semi‑arid regions such as Australia, Ethiopia, and Mexico than in the UK’s climate and geology.
In summary: Yes — natural opal has been found in the UK in places like Cornwall and Northern Ireland, but these occurrences are rare, usually common opal, and not comparable to the gem‑quality opals mined in Australia or elsewhere.
🔹 Want Gem‑Quality Opal in the UK?
If you want high‑grade, ethically sourced opal from a UK‑based miner, explore our ready‑to‑set stones below.
All opals are mined, cut, and sold directly by a sole Australian opal miner based in the UK — ensuring authenticity, transparency, and exceptional quality.