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)Mon 12 Oct, 2015
In what appears to be a case of incredibly fortunate timing, we here at Opals Down Under have finished cutting and polishing an amazing Lightning Ridge Crystal Opal specimen, just in time to help us celebrate our 30th year!
Read more Comment (0)Mon 17 Aug, 2015
2015 celebrates a century of opal mining in Coober Pedy, and as such, stories in the media will be appearing about our national gemstone.
One particular amazing gem that has come back into light is a stunning Crystal Opal, dubbed 'The Virgin Rainbow' (due to its purity and phenomenal colour spectrum).
Fri 14 Aug, 2015
Due to Opals Down Under reaching our 30th year (still under the Stein family, too), we thought it was time for a fresh look.
People already know that we are an attraction of sorts, but quite often the local market forgets that we are, first and foremost, specialists in gem-grade opals and opal jewellery, cutting our own opals on site.
Read more Comment (0)