Wed 22 Mar, 2017
A new opal rush has begun in Coober Pedy (South Australia), where opal miners in the hundreds have gathered to participate in a ballot which will allow them to mine in areas untouched for nearly four decades.
Read more Comment (0)Mon 6 Mar, 2017
Here at Opals Down Under, we embrace the unique along with the traditional. Opal, bring the unique gem that it is, can often surprise with its formation, particularly in Queensland Boulder Opal, where the seams twist and turn.
Read more Comment (0)Wed 12 Oct, 2016
This is our month, so let's celebrate!
If you have subscribed to our eNewsletter (in time), you will see we have a special offer on all* of our items listed online (*excluding already discounted pieces). So now's the time to grab that special order for the October-born person in your life, or stock up for Christmas... or hey, treat yourself.
Mon 8 Aug, 2016
Opal Engagement rings have had a surge in popularity in recent years. Whether it is down to a reaction against diamonds, celebrating your partner's Australian heritage, or just wanting something unique, people are choosing to use Australian Opal in engagement settings.
Read more Comment (0)Wed 11 May, 2016
We've been hearing reports of a lot more synthetic opal being passed off as Solid Natural Opal recently, and strangely enough, we received a 'promotional' pack of synthetic opal in the mail, from a supplier.
We do not endorse synthetic opal here at ODU (and you will not see any in stock), but we do recognise its use.
Wed 16 Mar, 2016
*sourced from the article, 'Opalised pearls dating back 65 million years unearthed by miners sifting Coober Pedy spoil heap', on www.abc.net.au, on April 16, 2016.
The recent discovery of opalised pearls by two miners in the Coober Pedy fields has us excited!
Read more Comment (0)Fri 12 Feb, 2016
You may have read earlier posts of rough Black Opal parcels we've had the pleasure of cutting and finishing off here at Opals Down Under.
Well, our miner mate gave us a fresh parcel to work with again. From rough to finished pieces, there's some truly breathtaking patterns appearing in these stones. We kept getting lost in these stones.
Read more Comment (0)Thu 24 Dec, 2015
We recently had the pleasure of finishing of a beautiful parcel of rough black opal. Interestingly, this parcel was nearly going to be used as inlay material for sculpture work, as the owner did not think there was much colour in the pieces initially.
Read more Comment (0)Tue 17 Nov, 2015
The transformation from rough parcel to finished product is always mesmerising. We recently cut a beautiful parcel of Black Opal from one of our miner colleagues, and managed to photograph the transformation.
Starting with this piece, rubbed and sliced into shape. Nice dark potch too.
Read more Comment ()Tue 27 Oct, 2015
It's that time of year again, where we start to think about gifts for others (or for yourself for that matter). Our phsyical store (now celebrating 30 years) is open every day, 9am to 5pm, so keep that in mind in the lead up ot Christmas.
If you're ordering online, however, here's some deadlines and tips for you -
Read more Comment (0)