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We’re
here to make your opal purchase easy - with friendly, informative and personal
service.
Let Us help You
- find Your Opal.
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OPAL -
Formed in sedimentary and
igneous rocks in semi-desert inland regions of
A crystalline form of
hydrated silica, Opal belongs to the
large quartz family of minerals. A unique gemstone - no two opals are
exactly the same. Although a soft gemstone (Mohs hardness 5.5-6.5), it has
the value of much harder, more durable stones, because of its unparalleled
beauty.
OPAL IN AUSTRALIA -
First
discovered in 1849 near Angaston SA, with discoveries of Boulder Opal in Queensland in 1872, White Cliffs NSW in 1880, Opalton and Paroo QLD in 1896, Lightening Ridge NSW in
1905, Coober Pedy SA in
1915, and Andamooka SA in 1930. Commercial production began in 1890, and
today
At White Cliffs & Coober Pedy, veins/seams of
precious white opals rarely more
than 1/2 thick [up to 2] - horizontal seams holding the best
finds. At Lightening Ridge it occurs mostly as isolated nodules of black opal known as nobbies.
COLOUR - The different colour patterns found in precious
opal are observed as the stone is turned, or viewed from different angles - the
colour often changing according to the direction in which the stone is viewed -
displaying internal reflections known as opalescence. The play of colours
is caused by the diffraction of white light by the internal structure of the
opal. White Opal has a body colour ranging from
clear (known as
HISTORY AND TALES [FOLK-LORE AND
LEGEND] -
One of the most highly prized gemstones, known since ancient Roman times when
the main supply came from Czechoslovakia. The Aztecs mined fire opal in
Ancients believed that the
storm god, jealous of the beauty of the rainbow god, broke the rainbow - pieces
of which fell to earth to become opal, now seen in its rainbow fire. Queen
of Gems, Gem Of The Never-Never.
A feminine stone of moon
& water, Opal is a A Gem of Psychic Awareness -
working with the emotional, mental, spiritual and etheric
bodies, increasing everything we feel. Reputed to:
arouse ones innate understanding and help connect to ones higher
self; enhance feelings of self worth [especially if lacking in
self-confidence]; help the wearer to restrain his temper, and influence
others to control theirs; and be excellent for enhancing creativity and intuition.
Regarded highly as a stone
to cure ills and to guard against misfortune, it is believed to drive away
despondency; provide a much needed burst of energy; help women to
relax during childbirth; and to guard against grey hair in blonde women.
Birthstone for October and Libra in the Southern Hemisphere.
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FAQ’s
Q. Where do your Opals come from?
A. The hot, dry,
inland area of
Q. What Types of Opals do you have?
A. We carry Solid Blacks, Whites, Crystals and Boulder Opals, as well as Black
Opal Triplets [3 layers], or Boulder
Opal Doublets [2 layers - without the Quartz cap].
Q. What’s a
Triplet?
A. Black Opal is about 10 times the price
of the Whites, so they slice the Black Opal. They put a black base, the
slice of Black Opal with a Quartz
cap over it attached to the base [3 layers = triplet]. This brings the
price down to that of the White and
gives you all the Fire & Colour of the Black
Opal without the extra (zero, double zero?) price, e.g. $50, not $500
($5000).
Q. What’s Boulder Opal?
A.
This type of Opal is unique, and is
only found in
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Website
Many of our Customers are International Travellers
and we have been asked numerous times for a catalogue for mail orders. Because
we strive to find the best quality buys for you, our designs are ever changing,
and to date it has not been feasible to publish a catalogue. However, we are
endeavouring to get a Secure Website set up, featuring Select Items from our
extensive range, and assure you that items will be at our usual excellent
market prices (plus post and packaging).
This is Work In Progress,
so please come back and check our Website for further developments regarding
Purchases On-Line.
If you visit
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