Opal Stories from friends

Foundations of Opal Value

This article was written by one of our customers who is an opal cutter and investor. It offers an explanation for the intrinsic value and market price for the opal. In the Beginning... Many books and stories have been written about the opal, how it is formed and where...

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What are opal triplets ?

Perhaps the most inexpensive way to enjoy the beauty of the opal is to buy what are known as 'triplets'. A triplet is simply a very thin slice of natural opal, sandwiched between a clear glass or quartz cap, and a plastic or stone backing. The clear cap magnifies and...

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Opal mining is not a Picnic

Consider that we're in an extremely arid region, and even though it has rained lately, only the surprising amount of vegetation and bird life gives clue to the unusual 'wet'. As soon as the wind picks up, the dust blows into every pore of your body, and when it only...

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So what is an opal mine ?

There are several methods of mining the opal, and Australian Opal Mines has chosen to employ a 40-tonne Komatsu excavator. It offers perhaps the safest method, as well as the greatest versatility.In this case, the 'mine' is a horizontal cut made by the excavator,...

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A great trip to the opal fields !

At the invitation of Murray, I spent almost three weeks in the opal fields of Coober Pedy, mining with Murray's son Kent and a wonderful old miner named Milton.MurrayKentMichaelMiltonMurray picked me up at the Adelaide airport, and we spent the next day getting ready...

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A story to be believed !

by michael ferguson This is a story of a lovely lady who had the idea that in this time of poor economy, the opal might be a good investment. Being new to the business, she found a jeweler who agreed to 'broker' the stones for her to the gem market. Browsing the...

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What are opal triplets?

Perhaps the most inexpensive way to enjoy the beauty of the opal is to buy what are known as 'triplets'. A triplet is simply a very thin slice of natural opal, sandwiched between a clear glass or quartz cap, and a plastic or stone backing. The clear cap magnifies and...

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HOW OPALS CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE

The following story was written by the man in the picture above, our long time friend Uncle George Bucholz. Uncle George is currently in Australia for the third time in October 2004. He is now 81 and arrived with his 81 year cousin. They rented a mobile home or a...

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A Double Happy Ending !

by michael ferguson Whether you're a professional or amateur cutter, whether you buy your own gear or cut for others, you cannot put a stone to the wheel without thinking : Someone is going to wear this stone ! Who will wear it ? What interesting people will see it ?...

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