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Australian Opal Jewelry
Australian Opal Jewelry Pioneers
Before 1900 rough opal was sent to Germany to be cut and polished. Gradually professional cutters began appearing at the opal fields. John Altmann migrated to Australia in the 1930s and started work as an opal cutter.
In 1948 he joined with Rudi Cherny (a manufacturing jeweler) and formed the opal company of Altmann & Cherny. They shared a passion for opals and wanted to show this uniquely Australian Gemstone to the world.
In the early days, when it took 3 days to fly from Australia to the US, they traveled from the harsh Australian Outback where the opals are mined to the bustling streets of Chicago, the icy roads of Germany and other major international destinations to bring the wonders of Australian opals to the world.
The Andamooka Opal - the finest gem
In 1954 an extensive search for the finest South Australian opal ever found was announced. The opal would be presented to HRH Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her first official visit to Australia.
Altmann & Cherny submitted an outstanding piece of rough opal which had been mined at Andamooka. The Government selected this opal and John Altmann cut and polished the opal which was then set into a diamond necklace and matching earrings. The set was presented to her Majesty at a gala banquet in Adelaide. The Andamooka Opal is still in Her Majesty's private collection and was on public display at Buckingham Palace in 2009.
Leaders in Australian Opal Jewelry
Today, Altmann & Cherny is still recognized world wide as the leaders in exceptional quality Australian Opals. The company continues to be owned and operated by the families of John Altmann and Rudi Cherny.
We suggest a visit to one of their showrooms - in Melbourne or in Sydney - if you don't have the opportunity to explore the Outback mining towns on your vacation and would like to know more about Australia's National Gemstone or if you've experienced the mines and want to see the transformation from rough gemstone into the finest Australian opal jewelry.
Found in 1938 at Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, the Aurora Australis is considered to be the world's most valuable black opal. The opal has the rare harlequin pattern with red, green and blue colors. It weighs 180 carats and is 3 inches by 1.8 inches. It was found in an old sea bed and has the very distinctive impression of a star fish on the back. This very rare opal has been valued at $1,000,000 AUD.
The Aurora Australis is on permanent display at the Sydney showroom of Altmann & Cherny, 18 Pitt Street, Sydney.
A visit to either showroom will be an educational experience for a film on opal history and mining, a hands-on demonstration on what to look for in an Australian opal and a glimpse of a world famous opal - the Olympic Australis in Melbourne and the Aurora Australis in the Sydney showroom.
Our Gem of an Offer
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Left: HRH Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Andamooka Opal
Right: The Andamooka Opal transformed into a necklace and earrings
Photos courtesy Altmann & Cherney © 2009
Black, Fire, Boulder
A brief description of the different types of gems used in Australian opal jewelry:
Black Opal - Precious opal showing a play of color in a dark body. The rarest of all the opals, black opal is only mined at Lightning Ridge, New South Wales.
Fire Opal - Also known as white or milk opal. It has light body tones and is more common. Fire opal is mainly mined at Coober Pedy in South Australia.
Boulder Opal - This opal forms in the cavities of iron stone boulders. As the opal seam can be quite thin, the ironstone is left as a natural backing when the opal is cut. Boulder opal has very strong, beautiful, dark colors. It is mined in western Queensland.
Doublet Opal -
Doublet opals are made by cementing a slice of precious opal to a black backing.
Triplet Opal - Triplet opals are made using the same process as a doublet but a clear cap of quartz is added.
Valuing Australian Opal Jewelry
Many factors are considered when valuing an Australian opal:
- Black Opal or dark opal is generally more valuable than light opal.
- The intensity or brilliance of color is most important. The finest of opals are of maximum brightness and clarity which gives a sharp appearance.
- The should be an even play of color all over the Australian opal with no patches of colorless stone.
- For the highest value, all colors should be present, especially red which is the rarest.
- The opal should be free from obvious flaws on the face however marks on the base usually have no effect on price.
The Olympic Australis Opal, the largest and most valuable opal ever found, was mined in 1956 at the famous Eight Mile Opal field in Coober Pedy, South Australia, and named in honor of the Olympic Games held in Melbourne the same year. This amazing opal is 99% gem opal. It weighs 17,000 carats and is 11 inches long and 4.5 inches high. It is valued at $1,800,000 USD.
The Olympic Australis is on permanent display at the Melbourne showroom of Altmann & Cherny, 128 Exhibition Street, Melbourne.
Clients who book their travel to Australia with us receive a welcome gift when they visit one of Altmann and Cherny's showrooms. In addition to a great yarn about Australian opals and your welcome gift, you'll receive a special discount on purchases.
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