We started to cut opals as a hobby in 1965 but, within two years, we had opened a gem cutting school teaching the art of opal cutting to hobbyists.

From 1967 onwards, we also supplied all the opal and opal matrix to John webster Industries for their product 'Dig Your Own Opal'.

As a result of the Gem Cutting School, we built up a good clientelle for all types of opal and dealt in opal rough, cut opals and also opal specimens. We exported opals to the USA and opalised shells to Japan from 1969.

The growth of our business was mainly due to our skills in opal cutting and over the next few years we travelled to the opal fields of South Australia buying rough opal and selling cut opals, mainly triplets, to the shops on the opal fields.

However, in the beginning, our main business was in solid opals and doublets but we were one of the first business to sell 'triplets' and these proved popular on the opal fields and this area of the business expanded.

If you are not in the opal industry, you may not be aware of the many varieties of opal and it's occurrence. Opal occurs in many different types of rock and has been know to 'replace' other minerals and fossils.In the case of opalised shells, the clacium remains of mollusks are etched away and the cavities, left by them are filled with opal.

See Formation of Opalised Shells and Opalised Fossils

The varieties of opal which may be commonly encountered are opal potch, potch and colour, common opal, precious opal, which includes the variety of opals such as black opal, grey opal and crystal opal. These names apply mainly to opals found in South Australia and New South Wales.

Queensland opal may be called boulder opal or boulder matrix opal but sometimes a place name may be used to describe a particular type of boulder opal such as 'Yowah Nuts'.

When cut, the Queensland opal can be quite beautiful with it's dark ironstone matrix enhancing the opal colour.

Howevr beautiful it may be, boulder opal is typically a 'natural doublet' which refers to a thin slice of precious opal being naturally attached to either potch or some other material backing such as can occur in South Australia on sandstone or quartzite.

Other terms used on the opal fields include, white base, grey base, jelly opal, opal matrix and opal nobbies.

If you have a particular interest in opals we may be able to assist you.

Other references for opal are:
CUT AND POLISHED OPALS
Australian Opals - or click this Link as Adrian has some great information about opals.
The Opal Shop

No: AO - 1002 - with ruler in cm's.
Price: $US1,600.00
(or make an offer)

A very nice specimen of opal on quartzite from Andamooka, South Australia. Pieces like this are known as 'Painted Ladies'.

This piece has been polished on the face to enance the colour.

No: AO - 1002 - with ruler in cm's.
Price: $US1,600.00
(or make an offer)

A very nice specimen of opal on quartzite from Andamooka, South Australia. Pieces like this are known as 'Painted Ladies'.

This piece has been polished on the face to enance the colour.

No: BOQ - 1001
Price: $US1,600.00
(or make an offer)

No: BOQ - 1001
Price: $US1,600.00
(or make an offer)

No: BOQ - 1001 - with ruler
Price: $US1,600.00
(or make an offer)

No: BOQ - 2001
Price: $US4,800.00
(or make an offer)

We have taken the photos in different lights to try to capture the beauty of this unique piece. However, the pictures don't do this piece justice.

It is a 'gem' and, if set in sterling silver, woud make a very nice belt buckle if set in sterling silver.

Texans love large and this is a beauty.

There is plenty of backing to ensure taht this piece can be worn for everyday use. A good investment.

No: BOQ - 2001
Price: $US4,800.00
(or make an offer)

We have taken the photos in different lights to try to capture the beauty of this unique piece. However, the pictures don't do this piece justice.

It is a 'gem' and, if set in sterling silver, woud make a very nice belt buckle if set in sterling silver.

Texans love large and this is a beauty.

There is plenty of backing to ensure taht this piece can be worn for everyday use. A good investment.

No: MO - 1002 - With ruler in cm's
Price on request
(or make an offer)

Large pieces, similar to this, were discovered about 15 years ago. They are now quite hard to obtain.

No: MO - 1002
Price on request
(or make an offer)

Shown in different light source.

No: MO - 2002
Price on request
(or make an offer)

A number of large pieces, similar to this, were discovered in 1989. They are now quite hard to obtain. This is the largest and most colourful piece I have seen.

We have taken the photos at different angles to show the play of colour. It is quite spectacular.

The opal is attached to a very hard sandstone and has been polished.

This is a wonderful piece, suitable for a museum collection.

No: MO - 2002
Price on request
(or make an offer)

A number of large pieces, similar to this, were discovered in 1989. They are now quite hard to obtain. This is the largest and most colourful piece I have seen.

We have taken the photos at different angles to show the play of colour. It is quite spectacular.

The opal is attached to a very hard sandstone and has been polished.

This is a wonderful piece, suitable for a museum collection.