Australian Opals &
Opal Jewelry direct
from local Aussie mines

Opal is really starting to gain momentum all around the world as an engagement ring choice. In the 1800's it actually was Opal, the “Queen of Gems” that was the preferred choice as an engagement ring gemstone. This love is growing with an incredible momentum despite the alleged efforts of De Beers to promote an “Opal is bad luck” Myth. The allegation made against De Beers (by some) is that Sir Walter Scott was commissioned to write the book “Anne of Geierstein” by De Beers where Opal was presented as a gem of bad luck. This is the only place in history where this statement occurs!, a book commissioned by Opals biggest competitor...the diamond industry!

https://edwardjayepstein.com/diamond/prologue.htm

George F. Kunz. states in: The curious lore of precious stones. J. B. Lippincott, Philadelphia, 1913. pp. 143-4. "There can be little doubt that much of the modern superstition regarding the supposed unlucky quality of the opal owes its origin to a careless reading of Sir Walter Scott's novel, Anne of Geierstein. The wonderful tale therein related of the Lady Hermione, a sort of enchanted princess, who came no one knew whence and always wore a dazzling opal in her hair....when a few drops of holy water were sprinkled over it, they quenched its radiance. Hermione fell into a swoon, was carried to her chamber, and the next day nothing but a small heap of ashes remained on the bed whereon she had been laid. The spell was broken and the enchantment dissolved. All that can have determined the selection of the opal rather than any other precious stone is the fact of its wonderful play of color and its sensitiveness to moisture". In folklore, mythology, literature, poetry or history there is literally no other mention of Opal as "unlucky". It is so significant that it was Queen Victoria who supported Opal and did much to thwart the establishment of this "lie".

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/270624749

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/386650213

1967 Graeme Blaiklock starts wholesaling jewellery. 

By 1932 Australia to assume the title of “World’s Premier Opal producer” producing 97% of the world’s overall Opal supply, and 100% of the beautiful Black Opal with patterns unlike those found in any other gem, and (of course) the Boulder Opal, and fiery white opals from Coober Pedy.  

In 1967 Jack Musgrave Blaiklock arrived from New Zealand. At the time, his son Graeme was looking for something to do and when Jack asked him to team up and go “on the road” selling jewellery, Graeme said yes.  

In the 1970’s Graeme ‘cut his teeth’ as a highly successful wholesale sales representative. Many of the principles and strategies employed by Australian Pearl Divers began there. Australian Opal Cutters prides itself on being the very first Vertically Integrated Marketers of Australian Opal in other words the first to bring opals directly from the opal mine to you, and opal jewellery directly from the workshop to you bypassing all of the middle men.   

1982 Graeme registers “Australian Opal Cutters Pty Ltd”  

In the early 1970’s Graeme had a thriving Opal wholesaling company and for many years has traded very successfully supplying retail jewellery stores. His sons at the tender ages of 10 and 9 were often employed weekends at the generous rate of $10 an hour to untangle chains! For over 40 years Graeme has been thoroughly involved in all areas of the gem and jewellery trades for years, manufacturing, retailing, trade shows, wholesaling, and is now teaching his grandchildren (the 4th generation) the “tools of the trade”! 

Today, with the internet everyone knows how to buy something “wholesale” however back in the 1960’s and 1970’s there were very “clear” lines of delineation that meant you were either one or another. You either set up shop and presented goods to the public, or, you had a warehouse or factory or office and supplied the stores. 

By 1982 Australian Opal Cutters Pty Ltd was officially registered and a limousine driver approached Graeme and said “would you mind if I sent my guests up to see you? They are complaining that they can get better prices back in the United States”. From that simple introduction a word-of-mouth phenomenon was born.  

Since those early days Australian Opal Cutters has sourced Opals “directly from mine” and then cut and set opals in contemporary jewellery designs in our genuine local factory workshop. Australian Opal Cutters manufacture jewellery. We cut out the middleman, cut and set Opals ourselves, create our own designs and unique bespoke commissions. 

We cut and polish all grades of Opal The commercial grades we discount and sell at lower prices and the higher ‘Gem grades’ which are sold to connoisseurs and collectors! Quite simply this is the largest choice at some of the best prices in Australia! 

This transition from wholesaler to retail-direct ruffled a lot of feathers in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, but created many happy customers! Today Australian Opal Cutters has had over 1 million customers from 32 Nations. 

https://vimeo.com/270624530

Australia is incredibly fortunate in that it has escaped the rule of dictatorships and unscrupulous rogues who plunder and murder their own populations. Gems mined in Australia are sourced in 'leases' where the local Aboriginal tribes have given permission through their Land Rights authority and the miners have paid fees to be allowed to mine. This means that (unlike Diamond) there is no "blood" on any Australian Opal! Pliny the elder spoke about the value of Opals in eons past. Marc Antony wanted the Opal but Nonius would not give it up and fled Rome to keep his Opal and left his property, wife and family behind. This was Hungarian Opal which is far inferior to the Australian Black Opal...so even history mentions the only 'smuggling' of Opals was to avoid selling them!!!https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_diamond

https://vimeo.com/270624494

Here at Australian Opal Cutters we are a family run business and have been operating for 50+ years cutting opal and setting all our opals and pearls in handcrafted jewellery made in the store. So come on in this month and you will receive a free Opal lesson on all the different types of opals in Australia and we will show you the differences, how they are valued, and how to tell the difference between a real and a fake one!

https://vimeo.com/225021685

Every jewelry piece is crafted using materials of exceptional quality and inspected thoroughly before we present it to you (or before shipping to you if you have ordered a hand-made piece). With our lifetime warranty, you get free cleaning services, re-polishing, prong tightening and re-rhodium plating, updated valuations, all free, for life!.

https://vimeo.com/372711339

Australian Opal Cutters only sells Australian Opals. We guarantee that our Opals are 100% natural! There is a LOT of synthetic (man made) Opal on the internet and this has caused a lot of misunderstanding, especially "Ethiopian Opal" (because if can look identical to Australian Opal). 

What you probably won't hear discussed is the fact that this form of Opal has to be treated to "seal" the colour. Without sealing the Opal will literally "suck water" and, if it not sealed, will inevitably crack! All Ethiopian Opal is ‘hydrophane’ which means that it sucks up water (like a sponge), Because of this it will crack and turn ‘white’ over time. To stop the cracking and loss of colour almost all Ethiopian Opal is treated and the treatment process stops the “Hydrophane effect” The “hydrophane effect” is easy to test. Simply place a very small drop of water on a surface (so that it is clearly visible). Place the Opal on the water droplet. Natural (untreated) Ethiopian opal will “suck up” this water “literally". Once an Ethiopian Opal has been treated this “Hydrophane effect” stops. The opal is “sealed” by the treatment. So if you have an Ethiopian Opal that does not suck up water…then you know it is treated! And, if it does suck up the water you can be sure it will eventually crack! Any form of treated or synthetic Opal is a fraction of the price of natural (untreated) Opal. Ask any customer considering a PURCHASE OF Ethiopian opal to make sure that the seller write “Non Treated Natural Opal” on the certificate…if they do, get a copy of the certificate and send it to us!!!

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/386649778

The best place where you can buy opals in Australia and opal jewellery is online at the Australian Opal Cutters, or at our physical store which is located in the Sydney CBD at 295 Pitt Street (a short walk from Town Hall station). The best place to buy opals online is in our online store when you can view hundreds of opal jewellery items in the range. If you are looking for the where to buy opals in Melbourne, or where to buy opals in Brisbane or other cities in Australia or globally, distance is no issue with our store. Orders are processed daily and delivery is quick and secure. 

Australian Opals Cutters offer to huge range of opal jewellery to choose from , many at discounted price: Opal Rings , Opal Earrings, Opal Necklaces , Opal Pendants Buy opals on special If you are looking for opals on sale check out our Specials section where we frequently have items on sale and special offers! We often get enquiries for loose opal for sale or rough opals for in Australia, so we have created an online collection of over 7000+ pieces on offer We are one of Australia's biggest and best opal stores operating for over 60 years. We source the best opals from Australian mines including Lighning Ridge opals, Cooper Pedy opals, Boulder opals, and craft our own special unique jewellery designs. Our items have a life time warranty and service guarantee! Check out our range online or visit our Sydney store.

Australian Opal Cutters regularly receives excellent customer reviews on Google and Trip Advisor demonstrating our excellent service, beautiful opal jewellery range and great prices, and why we are the best place to buy opals: over 1,000+ Google, Facebook and Trip Advisor Reviews, average 4.8+ Stars!

https://vimeo.com/510983385

Making a 'bespoke' handmade item is a wonderful process that brings amazing results and creates an endearing and lifelong treasure (an heirloom).

We have a basic price range to help you get started. Please note that the following prices are for design, metal and labour only and do NOT include the price of the gemstones (you can purchase the gems from us or provide your own) 

For 'center' gemstones (Opal, diamond or another gem) from 1mm to 9mm
Ring, Pendant or earring
Silver $1000
9K gold (yellow white or rose) $1,500
14-18k Gold (yellow white or rose) $1,800
950 Platinum (White) $2,000

For 'center' gemstones (Opal, diamond or another gem) sized (diameter) from 10mm to 14mm
Ring, Pendant or earring
Silver $1,200
9K gold (yellow white or rose) $1,800
14-18k Gold (yellow white or rose) $3,800
950 Platinum (White) $4,500

For 'center' gemstones (Opal, diamond or another gem) sized (diameter) from 16mm to 22mm
Ring, Pendant or earring
Silver $2,0009K gold (yellow white or rose) $2,900
14-18k Gold (yellow white or rose) $4,800
950 Platinum (White) $5,500

Please note that we DO accept rings and jewellery to melt the gold and reduce the cost but this process is NOT encouraged as we do not recommend melting any jewellery as you do not get a great return in value when you 'scrap' jewellery for the gold value!!!!

The steps are:

1. "Purchase" a makeup on our Website australianopalcutters.com
2. We will make a time to discuss the design (in person or zoom or messenger, skype)you will email any photos you have or images to sales@australianopalcutters.com or sms to  0411802402
3. we will do a design sheet and get you correct finger size)
4. we then do a CAD to get everything100% correct and send this to you for approval
5. we go to manufacturethis whole process takes about 6 weeks!

https://vimeo.com/554525109

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Indiginous Aboriginal Elders from the Yolgnu tribes in Arnhemland say that when the earth was covered with water the great creator spirit “Garray” created the rainbow as a promise of His great love. The mokuy (evil spirits) were jealous of this love and caused a terrible drought so that the rainbow would never be seen. Garray however placed the rainbow inside a stone and hid it in the ground, hididn the gift for future generations. The mokuy looked everywhere but could not find it. This is Dhuyu birrimbirr, the rainbow gem that represents the spirit of mankind (the Rainbow Stone) and is considered to be the “Garray Gunda” – The Creators Gemstone! Yothu banha nhan'ku Baba'wu ngarru'ngan Rali munadhali, ma nhan ngarru Ditjuman banhaya Banda ngaya'ngunga ngalmalikul Yolngu'wul.

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/386649778