Description

What is a Boulder Opal?

Boulder Opal is a beautiful type of precious opal that is unique to Queensland, Australia.
Boulder Opal is usually found in Ironstone, but sometimes found in sandstone which is referred to as Pipe Boulder Opal or
Pipe Crystal Opal.
Boulder opal is popularly used in pendant necklace designs, as well as in rings by jewelers around the world.
Boulder Opal often has an earthy, rock look and can host an array of colors; from blues and greens to rainbows and reds.
Any color combination of boulder opal is possible. Boulder Opal can also host fossilised vegetation or wood which can be very interesting to collect or use in jewelry design.
Every piece of boulder opal is very unique, one and only.

Mining Boulder Opal in the Winton Region

Typical mines in the Winton / Opalton region are open cut, with heavy machinery / bobcats and excavators often used to cut away at the harsh desert landscape.
When a promising area of colored ironstone is discovered, manual labour by hand is often commenced with pick axes.
Discovered opal is then sliced by machine, cut and polished into finished pieces like what we sell on our website.

Where is Winton?

Winton is a very well known town for its amazing discoveries of precious boulder opals in Central Queensland.
It is also the oldest of the Queensland Opal mines.
When referring to Winton Boulder Opals, people may also include opals found in the Opalton mining region; a nearby region of opal fields to the town of Winton.
The opal mining region of Winton covers a few hundred square kilometres.

What is Boulder Opal Worth, and what is it typically used for?

Boulder Opal is typically known as the most affordable of all the different types of opals. You can easily find affordable pieces of precious boulder opal under $100.
Some of the rarer pieces with bright colors can be valuable however up to a few thousand dollars.
Larger pieces of boulder opal are commonly used in pendant necklace designs by jewellers.
It is not uncommon to see boulder opal pendants hanging on ropes necklaces at markets around the world.
Jewellers also enjoy using smaller pieces in ring stone designs that strive for an earthy look and feel.
Collectors and investors also enjoy purchasing rare boulder opal specimens that are often too big to set in jewelry.
We have a number of interesting, rare Boulder Opal specimens for sale in our collection.

Shipping Information

All purchases come with COMPLIMENTARY FREE WORLDWIDE REGISTERED SHIPPING!
Free Worldwide EMS Express shipping over $1000
Extra Cost $10 EMS Shipping Upgrade under $999
7 day return and refund policy. Please view our return and refund page for more information.

Import Liabilities and Taxes

We post all items discreetly labeled ‘lapidary item’ with a value of $20 as to not attract attention from customs at different country borders.
If for some reason your item is held by customs, you are liable to pay the necessary duties or taxes associated with the countries custom control.
Please note we do not cover import liabilities that may be applied by the government of the destination country.
We will not accept any responsibility for customs delays, duties or taxes that may apply in the destination country.
Under no circumstance do we accept orders back due to rejection of customs charges.
We are not responsible if customers are not notiﬁed by their country’s postal authority or customs office that items are awaiting payment of customs duties and taxes.
Shipping charges are non refundable.

Postal Address

We have the option to send items to either the address provided in the order form or the address provided by Paypal.
In most cases, when paying by Paypal, we will ship to the address in Paypal so that all parties are covered under the Paypal buyer / seller protection policy.
It is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure that both addresses are correct at the time of purchase.
All orders are being shipped the same day or day after you placed an order (Monday-Friday), any changes to shipping address must happen asap.

Registered Shipping and Insurance

We send all purchases via registered shipping with tracking to ensure parcels do not go missing.
We include shipping insurance to point of delivery, complimentary with purchase. This excludes theft from your letterbox once delivered so please ensure your parcel is being delivered to a secure place.

Returns and Refunds

As a general rule, we assess returns and refunds on a case by case basis.
We offer exchanges and/or refunds only where the products:
Faulty item - (other than where the fault is caused by you)
Misdescribed by us - (as determined by us in our sole discretion)
We will not offer an exchange or refund for any other reason.
We do not accept returns on sale or discounted items unless there is a fault.
We will not take any responsibility for breakages, cracks or damage to the opals during handling of the items in postage and whilst a jeweller works with the opals.
Duty of care: You have a duty of care for the product while it is in your possession.
If you damage the product, then subsequently return the product, you may not be granted a refund or exchange on the item.
Change of mind: We do not accept returns for change of mind or circumstances.
We provide full zoomable photographs, video, weight and measurements to ensure that our customers can make a good decision on if they wish to purchase an item from our website.
Items must be returned to us within 7 days of your receipt of the order to be eligible for an exchange or refund.
Items returned beyond this period will not be accepted by us, and will remain your responsibility.
All items need to be returned to us in their original condition, in the ORIGINAL PACKAGING & UNTOUCHED.
If you are entitled to a refund or exchange, we will only grant you the refund or exchange once evidence of the faulty product or misdescription is received by us.
We have received the product and have inspected it and assessed whether it is eligible for a refund or exchange.
We will not be responsible for the payment of any delivery costs or any import or customs duties, taxes, levies or other liabilities that may apply.
We strongly recommend returning via registered post with a tracking ID so that your parcel does not go missing.
We package our opals very well for safe transit and if anything does happen to the item during transit, or if the item goes missing in transit then we will not be liable for this.
We cover all of our shipments with full insurance for theft or breakage up until point of delivery (ie letterbox, doorstep ect).
Our insurance does not cover theft of mail after point of delivery so please ensure you are sending your opal to a safe place.
If you would like to cancel your order before dispatch please contact us ASAP as we generally post items within a few hours of receiving your order.
We will not be able to offer a refund after the item has been shipped.
Please contact us in regards to sending return parcels before shipping.

Large Multi Color Veins Australian Boulder Opal Pendant with adjustable rope necklace