Here at Opals Down Under, not only do we like to see our opals go to good homes, but we are also here to educate you on what an opal is, how opal is valued, where it is mined, and various other facts and figures to take in. If you still have any questions after reading through the information provided, please feel free to contact us.
Most common words are below: Agitator - or 'agi' for short; a modified cement mixer used to wash and tumble opal dirt. Usually set up adjacent to a dam for water supply. Amorphous - a word meaning "without form", applied to gems and minerals…
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FAQ : What is the history of opal? Are opals bad luck? Is opal bad luck? Why and when did superstition begin to surround opal? Opal... the Bad Luck Stone? For many years, the opal has tried to shake off rumours and wives tales…
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A guide to purchasing opals. FAQ : What to look for in an opal - What is a doublet? What is a triplet? How do I buy opals? What are the different types of opals? How can I get value for money when I'm buying an…
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FAQ : What is a doublet opal? What is a triplet opal? What is the difference between doublets, triplets, and solid opals? What happens when doublets or triplets get wet? Why do some opals go cloudy? How should I care for a doublet or triplet? One…
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Myth: Opals need to be soaked in water occasionally to prevent cracking. Fact: Australian Opal is non-porous and therefore impervious - it cannot soak up water, oil, or anything else. The water content in an opal is determined during the formation of the stone, with…
Read More >FAQ: What is a boulder opal? What colour are boulder opals? Where are boulder opals mined? What is the value of a boulder opal? Appearance Australian Boulder opals are the second most valuable type of opal (following black opal). Boulder opals are easily distinguished by…
Read More >FAQ: What is a white opal? What colour are white opals? Where are white opals mined? What is the value of a white opal? Appearance Also known as 'milk' or 'milky' opals, Australian white opals are distinguished by their pale white or light body tone,…
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FAQ: What is a crystal opal? What colour are crystal opals? Where are crystal opals mined? What is the value of a crystal opal? Appearance The term "crystal opal" refers to any kind of opal (i.e. black opal, white opal, semi-black opal) which has a…
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Also known as dark opal and grey opal, semi-black opal refers to opals which have a darker body tone than white opals, yet are not quite dark enough to be classified as black opals. The body tone of these stones falls in either the N5…
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FAQ: What is a black opal? What colour are black opals? Where are black opals mined? What makes a black opal black? What is a semi-black opal? How are black opals valued? How much is a black opal worth? Appearance Australian black opals are the…
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FAQ Where are the opal fields in Australia? Where are opals mined? Where is opal mined? Where is opal mining done? When was opal discovered? Although there are lots of opal mining towns in Australia there are four which have become household names - Coober…
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The home of Australian Black Opal FAQ Where are the opal fields in Australia? Where are black opals mined? Where are the Lightning Ridge opal fields? New South Wales produces the largest proportion of Australian opal in terms of value. Lightning Ridge is famous for…
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The home of Australian Boulder Opal Queensland produces boulder opal, an unique type of opal which is found attached to a host rock, ironstone. Boulder opal is unique to Queensland, and occurs in deposits in weathered sedimentary Cretaceous rocks in the west of the state. Much…
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The home of Australian White Opal South Australia, by weight would produce most of Australia's opal. Fields such Coober Pedy, Andamooka, Mintabie, and Lambina produce stunning White and Crystal Opals. Coober Pedy opal fields Coober Pedy produces the bulk of the world's white opal. The…
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FAQ : What is the history of opal / opals? Who discovered opals? When was opal first found? In a cave in Kenya, Louis Leakey, the famous anthropologist, uncovered the earliest known opal artifacts. Dating back to about 4000 B.C., they most likely came from…
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"Aurora Australis" (picture and information courtesy of Altmann & Cherny) The "Aurora Australis" was found in 1938 at Lightning Ridge and is considered the world's most valuable black opal. The oval, cut and polished stone has a harlequin pattern with dominant red, green and blue colors…
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FAQ: Where can I find an opal engagement ring? Are opals suitable for engagement rings? Where can I find opal wedding rings? Australian opals, also known as "The Queen of Gems" are one of the most beautiful gemstones in the world. Opals display all the…
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FAQ: Are opals suitable for mens' rings? Do men wear opal rings? Are opals strong enough for a man's opal ring? Opals are one of the world's most amazing gemstones, and men all over the world are taking advantage of opal's striking colours to create…
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FAQ : How is opal valued? What makes a good opal? What are the different patterns in opal? What faults can opal have that detract from its value? What is the play-of-colour? What should I look for in a good opal? How are opals valued?…
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FAQ : How is opal mining done? What is noodling? How are opals mined? How is opal mined? What is open-cut mining? How are opals processed? Opal is one of the few minerals which can be extracted economically by a miner working alone. The simplest…
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FAQ : What are opal fossils? Where are black opal fossils found? What does opalized / opalised mean? Lightning Ridge - Black Opal Fossils Only one place on Earth produces black opal fossils - Lightning Ridge in northern New South Wales, Australia. Lightning Ridge is…
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FAQ: Which is better, black opal or boulder opal? What is black opal? What is boulder opal? What is the difference between black opal and boulder opal? How are black opals valued? How are boulder opals valued? Black opal has long been the most prized…
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A new era for opal nomenclature Anthony Smallwood FGAA, GG Chairman, G.A.A. Opal Nomenclature Sub-committee Abstract Opal is a relatively common mineral species that is found in many locations world wide. For many years a reason for the spectacular phenomenon known as play-of-colour, as…
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Safety on the opal fields Australia produces over 90 per cent of the world's precious opal, and more than half comes from NSW opal fields. The major opal-producing areas in NSW are Lightning Ridge and White Cliffs. Visitors may fossick or "spec" for opal on…
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The following outside resources are available for download in PDF format and require Adobe Reader. To download a file, please right-click on the link and select 'Save Target As'. OPAL Mineral Information Leaflet - QLD Govt. Dept. of Mines & Energy - October 2000. Opal…
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The Geology of Opal FAQ : How is opal formed? / How are opals formed? What is the Great Artesian Basin? What is potch? What causes the formation of opal? A Simple Explanation Opal is formed from a solution of silicon dioxide and water. As…
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How to Cut and Polish Opal FAQ: How is opal cutting done? How do I cut rough opal? Where can I learn about cutting opals? How is opal polishing done? How can I polish an opal? Opal cutting and polishing is a very specialised skill. Rough…
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FAQ: What causes the colours in opal? How does opal get its colour? What is potch? Where do opals get their colours? What is the structure of opals? Why does opal have colour? The colour of an opal is a magnificent thing. Unlike any other…
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If you have seen our online opal catalogue, you will have noticed a number of categories used to describe and classify each stone. This system of offering detailed information about each stone is based on the Australian Opal Ebusiness Association's (AOEA) Opal Classification Standard, and…
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FAQ : How can I tell if an opal is real? What is Gilson opal? What are synthetic opals? How can I tell if an opal is synthetic? What is synthetic opal? How can I identify opals? Is my opal real? Synthetic Opal, Doublets &…
Read More >Please pass on my sincere thanks to Scott and the lady who designed and made the gold setting… This is most definitely a very special gift that will be in the family for a very long time; both daughters have already made a claim on it – can you believe it.
I’m so incredibly estatic I can barely contain it. My gorgeous ring arrived via registered post this morning. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this fantastic piece of jewelry. It feels like I’m wearing all of the colours of October on my finger. It’s got the deep reds, firey oranges, and bright yellows of the turning leaves, with the warmth of grass green. It also has the dusky shades of purple and deep blue which are October’s twilight colours. The security of the bezel setting and the durability of the Boulder Opal mean that I will now wear my birthstone daily. Please tell the jeweller that he/she did a marvelous job on the ring. It fits wonderfully with my wedding band, and the two rings look like they were made to go together on my finger. I’m in awe that this was managed without your ever having seen my wedding band. It is wonderful to see the myriad of colours that comprise my favourite season framed in such a beautiful ring. Opals Down Under has done it again. You have gone above and beyond my hopes and expectations, and delivered perfection. I will continue to sing your praises to all and sundry. Your customer service is among the best of any establishment I’ve patronised. Your value for money is also unparalled. Thank you so much, again.
Just to say thanks -the cufflinks are amazing!!! The ring also fits perfectly alongside the engagement ring.
The rings arrived today and they are beautiful!
Hyun Sun said that the “pinfire” opal is like looking into a star filled galaxy! And with the two cuts of the stone she has a ring for everyday and another for elegant occasions.
I am so glad we made the second ring out of that beautiful opal stone!
Thank you for your guidance and please pass along our compliments to the designers and the stone cutter. Their expertise and artistry helped us to arrive at the perfect solution.
Thank you for the ring which, arrived Thursday. The opal is incredibly beautiful and the simple setting lets the stone speak for itself. I have never seen such a pretty ring.
Ring arrived this morning and looks awesome, thank you. My wife to be is going to love it.
The customer service at Opals Down Under is awesome, they had the patience to spend several months going back and forth finding the right opal and right settings and went above and beyond being helpful and took pictures of multiple opals from different angles to give a better perspective to put together a beautiful unique one of a kind ring. I now have a fiancée who is in love with her ring. I can’t say enough good things and would recommend Opals Down Under to anyone looking for an Opal.
I just wanted to email and say a huge ‘Thank You!’ for your excellent customer service and prompt delivery. I ordered yesterday afternoon and received the ear-rings this morning. We are ecstatic with the purchase and sure our departing colleague will love them as much as we do! I would not hesitate in recommending Opals Down Under to anyone. Thanks heaps!
It is almost a year since we bought a beautiful opal ring from you. Back in The UK I get a lot of comments on the unusual colour and iridescence. May your business go from strength to strength in the future.
Just a quick note to let you know that my jewelry was delivered today, and both pieces are gorgeous. The ring is just as you said it would be; it’s perfect. Thank you, once again! (23/07/20)
SHOWROOM
11 Ballantyne Ct
Glenview QLD 4553
AUSTRALIA
