Q: What makes Opal Minded different from other opal stores?

A: Opal Minded is the only store in Sydney and in the world with a substantive collection of exquisite opals from Jundah-Opalville. It is also the only store in Sydney with opals from its own opal mines, and mined by its owner.

Opal Minded’s philosophy is governed by authenticity, trustworthiness and pleasure.  It has grown out of the familial opal tradition that spans over half a century. Mining its own opals translates into being in the position to offer uniquely cut and set opals. 

One of the most common comments we receive from our visitors is “you are so different to everything we have seen” and “these are the best set opals we have seen in Sydney.”

Q: What distinguishes Australian opals?

A: Around 95 per cent of all world opals are found in Australia, so Australian opals present the greatest variety of colour and colour play, pattern and body tones that can be found in any opal mining country.

Australian opals are mainly of sedimentary, rather than volcanic, origin, so they are more robust and durable than opals found elsewhere.

Q: Are Australian opals precious?

A: Opals found in Australia may be either precious or common. Precious opals are rare and they exhibit mesmerizing colour play. Common opals have little or no colour play. High quality opal gem stones are considered to be the rarest gem stones found on Earth. 

Q: What gives Australian opals their beautiful colours?

A: Bright colour play of Australian opals is a combination of prism effects of opals’ microscopic structures and the colouring coming from different minerals which form opals’ body tone.

Q: Where and how are Australian opals mined?

A: The main opal fields of Australia are clustered around Lightning Ridge and White Cliffs in New South Wales, Coober Pedy, Mintabie and Andamooka in South Australia, Quilpie, Winton-Opalton and Opalville-Jundah in Queensland.

Opals are always mined on small scale, with opal miners often working alone and in tandems, in open-cut and underground opal mines. That is why no big interests control opal industry, unlike with other gem stones industries.

Q: Does Opal Minded sell opals online?

A: Opal Minded does ship Australian opals and opal jewellery to international locations. We specialize in individualized opal pieces. Their true complexity may only be explored on an individual basis in person-to-person communication, which can also be conducted online. Should you have a particular opal need, please, contact us.