Frequently Asked Questions
Where are our opals sourced?
A majority of our stones originate from Lightning Ridge, Australia, which is the highest quality source of black opal in the world. Some of our other stones are procured from Coober Pedy and we have a selection mined in Andamooka, which has a finite supply of opals, making our collection exceedingly rare.
Who cuts and polishes our opals?
Our opals are expertly shaped by Dr. Philip A Hughes, of whom has a doctorate in environmental sciences and a tangible passion for lapidary. He has cut over one thousand opals by hand and is constantly using his gift for analysis to find improvements he can implement into his methodology.
How can I test the quality of my purchase?
While we try to be as upfront in our descriptions and prices as we can be, there are several ways you can appraise the value of your opal on your own. If your opal is genuinely from Lightning Ridge it should glow in the dark for a few moments after exposure to UV light. Another way to confirm the quality of your opal is to drop it in water; if it is from Lightning Ridge, it should not react in any way upon exposure to H2O. Ethiopian opals are known as hydrophane opals. They absorb moisture and can change from clear to cloudy or vice versa when wet. There's nothing inherently wrong with Ethiopian opals but you should not pay Australian prices for them.
How durable are our opals?
Contrary to popular belief, Australian opals are relatively indestructible. With the prevalence of Ethiopian opals, a much weaker class of opal, there is the persistent misconception that all opal is acutely fragile, but Australian opals should not be damaged by general usage. Our opals are impervious to rain and will not fracture if handled with proper care.
How do we price our opals?
Opals are the hardest gemstone to accurately price. There are literally hundreds of different varieties which are determined by a large number of factors. Of these, background colour, brightness, play of colour, and opal pattern are all considered. These things can mean the difference between a fifty dollar stone and a five-thousand dollar stone. The ability to "see the colour" and cut an attractive gem from what looks like commonplace rubble (called rough) is what adds value.
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Do we accept custom orders?
Yes! Ask us about what you want and our lapidary expert will give you a quote. We want to work as closely as possible with our clients in order to deliver them the perfect opal, so if you order a custom piece, you will be involved in every step of our process.
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