Opal Jewellery

OPAL JEWELLERY - THE ULTIMATE GUIDE 

 

Australian Opal jewellery is stunning and unique in both colour and beauty. Australian Opal comes in a huge range with so many types and variations. In this “ultimate guide to Opal jewellery”, we will cover types of Opal jewellery, the types of Opals, variations in ring settings, and where to buy the best Opal jewellery in Australia (or anywhere in the world).

 

Types of Opal Jewellery

 

Australian Opal is a versatile gemstone. Because every single Opal is unique you will not see a lot of mass production, more individually designed pieces with uniquely styled settings to match each hand-cut Opal gemstone. This actually works out perfectly, as you really want a piece of jewellery that reflects your individual style and taste and not just some “machine made” mass consumer item. You are unique and so is your Opal!

 

Men’s and Women’s Opal Jewellery

 

Australian Opal is popular across the gender divide. As Opal is individual and unique it can be fashioned to provide jewellery pieces that are masculine or feminine, modern or classic, with equal ease and adaptability. Boulder Opal can look fantastic in a silver or leather bracelet, while Black Opal can create a striking statement ring. Opal lends itself to a multitude of styles and tastes from Victorian and Art Deco to modern and contemporary design.

 

Opal Rings

 

Opal Rings truly show off their colour beautifully as they are constantly moving and turning and catch the light allowing the rainbow colours to dance and leap off your hand. Any gemstone can crack or chip if it comes into contact with a hard surface, so choosing a protective setting can be important. Bezel settings are popular for Opal because the surrounding metal can help protect the edge of the gemstone.

 

 

Opal Pendants

 

Opal Pendants are simply stunning. A Boulder Opal necklace or pendant will be unique because every Boulder Opal is individual in cut, colour, pattern and shape.

 

Make sure you purchase an Opal with a good value representation across the characteristics of valuation.

 

 

Opal Necklaces

 

Crystal Opals are popular for necklaces because their translucent appearance can work beautifully with different metals and styles.

 

Crystal Opals from Coober Pedy or Andamooka can sometimes be cut into matching pairs for earrings. In rarer cases Boulder Opals can split along a seam and produce a naturally related pair.

 

 

Opal Engagement Rings

 

Opals have a long history as treasured gemstones and are increasingly chosen by people who want an engagement ring that is individual and naturally unique. See our Opal engagement rings.

 

Black Opal Rings

 

Australian Black Opal Rings can display deep body tones with flashes of orange, green, blue, red, pink and other colours. Lightning Ridge in New South Wales is internationally famous for Black Opal.

 

Opal Rings in Gold

 

The hallmark is an important part of a ring because it communicates information about the metal fineness. Australian Opal Cutters clearly describes the metal used in each piece so customers can understand what they are purchasing.

Silver Opal Rings

 

Sterling silver is a popular precious metal for Opal jewellery and can provide an attractive, practical setting option across a wide range of styles and budgets.

 

Opal Rings in White Gold

 

White gold is a gold alloy designed to have a white appearance and is often finished with rhodium plating to produce a bright white surface.

 

Australian Opal Cutters offers professional rhodium plating and refinishing services for white gold jewellery. Rhodium plating is not included as a complimentary Lifetime Care service. Rhodium plating for a standard white-gold ring, including a standard clean and polish, is $150, subject to assessment. Larger, heavily worn or complex items may require individual quotation. Eligible Australian Opal Cutters jewellery may receive complimentary routine cleaning, polishing, inspections and minor claw tightening through our Lifetime Care & Service Program. Other maintenance and repairs are assessed and charged under our Warranty, Lifetime Care & Jewellery Repair Policy.

 

Opal Earrings

 

Australian Opal Cutters cuts and sets Australian Opals into matching earring pairs where suitable material is available, with a wide range of colours, types and price points.

Black Opal Necklaces

 

A Black Opal necklace or pendant can be a striking way to display the natural colour and pattern of Australian Black Opal.

 

Opal Piercings (Nose Rings and Studs)

 

Opal can also be incorporated into small custom jewellery designs such as studs and other specialised pieces, subject to the suitability of the gemstone and setting.

 

Opal Watches

 

If you’re looking for something quite different, consider a style of Opal watch. We offer Opal watches in a variety of colours and designs.

 

Opal Jewellery as You Want It – Bespoke Designs

 

Australian Opal is versatile and can be incorporated into custom jewellery designed around your gemstone, style and budget. See our guide to designing your own jewellery.

For jewellery remodelling using a customer's existing stones, Australian Opal Cutters labour starts from $1,000 in Silver, $1,500 in 9K Gold and $1,800 in 14K–18K Gold, plus any additional metal, gemstones or components required. A complete remake of a ring or pendant using the customer's existing gemstones starts from $1,500–$2,500+, depending on metal, complexity, CAD, setting and finishing. Complicated, antique, pavé, opal-sensitive or high-risk work is quoted individually.

 

 

Types of Opals

 

Australian Opal includes a variety of types and appearances, including Black Opal, Boulder Opal, Crystal Opal and White or Light Opal. Learn more on our Opal Types page.

Black Opals

 

Black Opal is precious Opal with a dark body tone and is especially associated with Lightning Ridge in New South Wales. Its value depends on characteristics such as brightness, colour, pattern, body tone, condition, size and overall appearance.

 

 

Crystal Opals

 

Crystal Opal is transparent to semi-transparent precious Opal that displays play-of-colour. Its value varies substantially according to colour, brightness, pattern, clarity, size and other characteristics.

White Opals

 

White or Light Opal has a lighter body tone and can display an extraordinary range of colour and patterns. Coober Pedy in South Australia is particularly famous for this type of Opal.

 

Boulder Opals

 

Boulder Opal is natural Opal that remains attached to its ironstone host rock and is best known from Queensland. Its naturally irregular formation often produces distinctive free-form shapes and patterns.

 

Fire Opals

 

Fire Opal is generally associated with Opal having a yellow, orange, reddish-orange or red body colour and is commonly associated with Mexico. It is distinct from Australian precious Opal terminology describing play-of-colour.

 

Birth Stones

 

Opal is the traditional October birthstone and has been admired for centuries for its play-of-colour and individuality.

 

Natural, Synthetic and Composite Opals

 

Natural, synthetic, treated and composite Opals should be described accurately. Australian Opal Cutters clearly identifies whether an item contains natural solid Opal, Boulder Opal, a Doublet, a Triplet, synthetic Opal or another material.

 

Opal Ring Designs & Settings

 

If you are looking for a special custom-designed Opal ring, there are several common setting styles to consider.

Claw Setting uses individual claws or prongs to secure a gemstone.

Bezel Setting surrounds all or part of the gemstone edge with metal and can provide additional protection.

Shoulders are the upper sides of the ring shank approaching the central setting.

Shank is the main circular body of the ring.

Open-Back Settings leave the rear of the gemstone visible and accessible.

Closed-Back Settings enclose the rear of the gemstone and may influence the way colour is perceived.

 

Channel Setting positions gemstones in a groove or channel formed in the metal.

Pavé Setting places many small gemstones close together and secures them with small beads or sections of metal to create a continuous sparkling surface.

Why Opal Jewellery?

 

Australian Opal is valued for its natural play-of-colour, individuality and connection to Australia's gemstone heritage. Every natural Opal is different, making it particularly suited to jewellery designed around a one-of-a-kind gemstone.

 

 

Best Place to Buy Opal Jewellery – Australian Opal Cutters

Australian Opal Cutters in Sydney offers a large range of Australian Opals, finished jewellery and custom design services, together with experienced guidance from people who work directly with Opal.

 

 

Best Quality

 

Quality control includes checking setting strength, surface finish, gemstone security and the overall condition of the finished item before supply.

 

Confidence

 

Every applicable piece of jewellery from Australian Opal Cutters comes with a certificate of authenticity. Eligible jewellery purchased directly from us is supported by your rights under the Australian Consumer Law, our additional Two-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty and our complimentary Lifetime Care & Service Program. Lifetime Care is a maintenance and service program and is not a lifetime warranty. Accidental damage, loss and other non-warranty repairs are assessed separately under our Warranty, Lifetime Care & Jewellery Repair Policy.

 

Guarantee

 

Manufacturing or workmanship concerns are assessed under the Australian Consumer Law and our additional Two-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty. Full terms, exclusions and claim information are set out in our Warranty, Lifetime Care & Jewellery Repair Policy.

 

Servicing

 

Eligible Australian Opal Cutters jewellery may receive complimentary inspections, routine cleaning and polishing, and minor claw tightening through our Lifetime Care & Service Program for its reasonable serviceable life. Rhodium plating, resizing, gemstone setting, structural repairs, replacement materials and other services are assessed separately and may incur a charge in accordance with our current Jewellery Repair Price Guide. Lifetime Care does not cover accidental damage, misuse, loss, theft or normal replacement of worn parts.

 

Order Online, Fast Delivery

 

When you order online Australian Opal Cutters will process your order for secure delivery in accordance with the shipping method selected. Our team is available to help with questions before and after purchase.

Customer Reviews

For customer feedback and current reviews, see our online review profiles and speak with our showroom team.

 

For more related information see: Opals