Opal Mine

Opal Mine is an online retailer of Australian opal jewelry, including rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, brooches, and matching sets, as well as loose gemstones, unset opals, and rough opal. The company has been family-owned and Australian-mined since 1971 or 1972 (sources vary), offering black, boulder, crystal, doublet, triplet, mosaic, and inlay varieties. They provide educational content like care guides and sizing charts to help customers identify genuine opal jewelry.

The business primarily serves customers in the USA, Canada, and Europe, though they ship globally. They are located in the Tweed Heads area on the border of NSW and Queensland, with a post office and bank in Coolangatta across the border. Their main goal is to care for customer interests first, often prioritizing service over profit.

Opal Mine offers a lifetime guarantee, stating they will replace, repair, or assist with any item that is their fault even after ten years. However, if damage occurs due to customer wear, such as breaking a ring against a rock, they may still find a way to fix it for little or no cost, though return postage might apply.

Freight from the website is free with every order, and they offer international guarantees. While standard delivery takes a week or two, special delivery requests for quick deadlines may incur freight costs, though the company aims to keep delivery costs and times to a minimum.

The company has been in operation since 1971 or 1972, with some sources citing 1981 as a significant milestone. They describe themselves as four generations under the outback sun, growing from a single claim into a family business devoted to bringing extraordinary stones to light.

Customers can contact the business via text message at +61 414 950 914 or 0414 950 914 within Australia, or by leaving details in the blog section at the bottom of their contact page. They also offer live chat on their website, though response times may vary due to time differences.

Some reviewers praise Opal Mine for its direct-from-the-mine approach, avoiding middlemen, and for the quality and authenticity of their stones. The company emphasizes that every opal is documented and guaranteed genuine, with a focus on educating customers about reading a stone before purchase.

Some users on Reddit mention the unique patterns and colors of opals found in Western Australia, such as the Cowarna Opal mine, which forms amongst dark black shale and quartz. While not directly reviewing Opal Mine, these posts highlight the rarity and beauty of the stones the company sources.

The company offers a wide range of opal varieties, including black, boulder, crystal, doublet, triplet, mosaic, and inlay. They also sell gents' opal jewelry, opal beads, and unique opals, with prices ranging from under $100 to over $5,000 per carat for Lightning Ridge black opal.

Opal Mine provides an opal price guide that explains how prices are determined by supply and demand rather than a cartel agreement. They note that a committee at Lightning Ridge endeavors to set prices, but merchants and miners often deal directly, forming their own understanding of values.

Opal Mine is particularly suited for customers who appreciate direct-from-the-mine sourcing and want a lifetime guarantee on their purchases. They may not be ideal for those seeking immediate refunds on special custom designs, as these are not refundable unless the stone is damaged by the jeweler.

The business is located in the Tweed Heads area, east of the Lightning Ridge Opal fields, which are 1000 km from the city. This location means Peter, the opal specialist, is often at the mines, potentially causing delays in addressing special matters regarding stone matching and design.

Some users on Reddit discuss the unique characteristics of opals from specific mines, such as the Spencer Opal Mine and Dead Horse Gully in Coober Pedy. These discussions highlight the diversity and rarity of opals that Opal Mine sources from various Australian locations.

The official website of Opal Mine is opalmine.com.

Opal Mine has no reviews on Trustburn yet. Anyone who has used it can write the first review on its Trustburn page.