Category: Australian Opal

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Baroque Opals

(a.k.a. anything but ovals and rounds!) As you’ve probably guessed we are big fans of simple ovals and rounds. Opal just seems to show its best face in these shapes but sometimes when cutting Justin gets a surprise. The beauty in all of these baroque opals is that they may not be set into conventional settings and rather something whimsical and unique may emerge. Here are a few that have have passed through the workshop lately.   As you can see each is unique and spectacular. For many buyers, they might see something in these stones that to the less creative (i.e. me) does not immediately appear. Some of the…

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The Opal Business

Opal Business Tools of the trade

With the passing of my Dad I have been reflecting on this crazy amazing opal business and what makes it so unique. Most gemstone people are quite an artistic bunch of weird and wonderful types with some skew ideas about life and the world. That’s what makes us so special! It takes a certain type of person to understand and have the patience to sit and study a little piece of nature. Some gemstone people love collecting the finished piece and some even learn to cut and polish or facet stones. In the case of cutting and polishing – this gemstone hobby is perfect for the home body who loves…

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Shop highlights: Drops, Pillows and Freeform Opal Shapes

Sometimes we have an idea for an opal setting and an oval opal is just not going to work. Here we showcase some of the other opal shapes and what is currently for sale. Pillow or Cushion Cut Opal This was a favourite shape of Justin’s father Jurgen. Very few opals are made to be cut in a square or rectangle but when it works, it just works! Drop or Pear Shape Looking through the stock I think this must be Justin’s favourite shape to cut other than ovals. A drop shape works for all types of jewelry – either as the hero or as the accent to something larger.…

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