AboutOpalesandGems
A passion for Australian opals for more than twenty years
Opales & Gems was born of a passion for Australian opals, these natural stones whose play of colors always fascinates me.
My interest in opals goes back over twenty years. During my trips to Australia, I had the opportunity to discover mining areas, meet prospectors and buy my first stones directly from those who extract them.
These encounters, the landscapes of the Outback and the opals reported from my travels left special memories. Some of these stones are still part of my personal collection today.
Over the years, this passion has become a real desire to learn, understand and share my knowledge.
This is how it was born. Opales & Gemsan independent site dedicated to the discovery of opals, their diversity and their transformation.
From Rough Opal to Polished Opal
What is particularly passionate about opals is their diversity and their unpredictable nature.
One Rough Opal may seem ordinary at first glance and yet reveal, after observation and work, extraordinary colors. Each stone has its own structure, its peculiarities and sometimes its surprises.
The Black Opals of the Lightning Ridge to White Opals of the Coober Pedy, passing through the Boulder Opals From Queensland, I like to discover the different Australian varieties and understand what makes them unique.
Through Opales & Gems, I share this interest in rough stones, polished opals, cutting and polishing techniques, as well as the criteria that allow a better appreciation of their quality.
Learning and sharing knowledge
Passion does not dispense with learning, on the contrary.
To deepen my knowledge, I have taken several specialized training courses at the International Gem Society (IGS), of which I am also a professional member.
This approach complements my personal experience and many years of interest in Australian opals and natural stones.
My goal is to offer accessible content, both to those who discover opals and to those who want to deepen their knowledge.
On Opales & Gems, you will find guides on the identification of opals, their source, value, maintenance and transformation.
Above all, I want to share understandable information based on observation, personal experience and documentary research.
My journey in Gemmology
As a professional member of the International Gem Society, I continue my apprenticeship through various specializations dedicated to natural stones.
My journey with IGS includes the following distinctions:
These trainings demonstrate my willingness to deepen my knowledge and continue to learn in a wide and exciting field.
A shop Natural Opals in preparation
Opales & Gems is also an online shop project dedicated to Natural Opals, mainly Australian.
The aim is to gradually propose a selection of Rough Opals and polished, with detailed descriptions, photographs and, where possible, videos to better observe their colour sets.
Particular attention will be paid to the presentation of the stones, their characteristics and the Transparency the information provided.
While waiting for the opening of the shop, the site continues to enrich with guides and articles intended for lovers of gemology and opals.
Welcome to the universe of Opales & Gems
Whether you are a collector, lover of natural stones, passionate about stonework or simply curious about discover opals, I hope this site will allow you to learn more about these unique gems.
Behind Opales & Gems, there is above all a passion that has lasted for more than twenty years and the pleasure of sharing it.
Yannick – Opales & Gems
