OPALS DOWNUNDER: A STORE REVIEW

OPALS DOWNUNDER: A STORE REVIEW

14.53 CT 23.2 X 14.0 X 5.4 mm Boulder Opal from Opals Downunder

My name is Cruz, and I am an avid fan of opals – Boulder Opals in particular. I have been lucky enough to have come across a store of exceptional gems, amazing customer service and honest representation; I would be remiss not to share this with others that also have a passion for opals.

I am writing this without gain. I am not being paid, cajoled, or otherwise compensated for my positive review herein; I am simply so taken with the quality of opals, accessibility and honesty, that I felt I must honor those people who help me make my opal collection so beautiful. The store I am speaking of is Opals Downunder, which can be found on eBay. All of the opals I am showing here are from my own collection, and cross a range of prices. They are truly more brilliant in person than a photo could hope to show.

First, allow me to tell you in brief my background with Boulder Opals:  In a fairly short time, I have purchased about 45 Boulder Opals (more if you include Mexican Fire Opals, Ethiopian Opals and Black Opals), all on eBay, from a number of sellers. All of the sellers I purchased opals from had a minimum 99.5% positive feedback score, had sold at least 1000 items, and was an eBay Top-Rated Seller. I have done outside research on opals, their origins, value and so on, as well as looked at other online auctions (not eBay) for opals, and browsed through dozens of non-eBay stores.

11.70 CT 13.8 X 11.8 X 8.3 Boulder Opal from Opals Downunder

3.97 CT 13.5 X 9.8 X 4.7 mm Boulder Opal from Opals Downunder

Living in the middle of nowhere, I do not have access to Rock and Gem shows, specialty shops or a wide range of jewelers. Wanting to own and enjoy these unique stones, I discovered the vast variety available on eBay. I was leery about not being able to hold and/or examine the stones in person – buying anything sight-unseen can lead to a number of problems. With many stones, like diamonds, you have a set standard and scales to go by. Reading these classifications can tell an experienced collector or jeweler basically all they need to know. It is just not that way with Boulder

Opals. The classifications for opals may be helpful with assigning value, but cannot tell you about the opal’s unique appearance.

54.72 CT 36.2 X 21.5 X 9.3 mm Boulder Opal from Opals Downunder

And yes, I did fall prey to a number of less-than-honest sellers, their small print and some rather clever photo enhancement software. Through my adventures, and misadventures, in the quest for the elusive red flash, I have come up with the critical questions to ask about the gems and their sellers. Although I go over them in detail in my Boulder Opal Guide, the basic list includes description and display of the stone, along with seller/store customer service and purchase options.

23.0 CT 25.1 x 16.0 x 7.0 mm Boulder Opal from Opals Downunder

After all of the misleading portrayals and enhanced photos, I was about to give up  my quest when I found Opals Downunder. They met every one of my standards, and exceeded my expectations of customer service and honest communication.

Their customer service was and is, simply unsurpassed: Every one of my questions was answered beyond my initial inquiry. Any additional information they thought would be helpful was given freely, without fear that I would take my business elsewhere if I were armed with additional knowledge. I felt as if helping me with my question was their one and only job.  They treated me like I would want my Mother treated. The personal emails made me feel like I was the most important customer, and that they actually cared about ensuring my overall satisfaction with the entire procedure.

68.46 CT 45.6 X 27.2 X 6.8 mm Boulder Opal from Opals Downunder

5.35 CT 22.4 X 7.5 X 4.2 mm Boulder Opal from Opals Downunder

The selection of Boulder Opals covers Koroit, Lightning Ridge, Black and Yowah. They have stones that anyone can own, as well as an assortment of premium quality, 5 out of 5 grade gems.  They have several options for purchasing: Auction style, buy-it-now or best offer. They have Boulder Opals that are loose, some set in classic, sturdy sterling silver, and even a few with holes predrilled for cords. They don’t have thousands at once, but instead opt for a cherry-picked 200 or so, hand-selected stones. They know each stone as if it were an individual, and answer every question with care. And for me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of their auction listings is that the vast majority of stones start at $1.00 USD. The auctions are no reserve, so everyone has the opportunity to purchase these truly unique creations from the Earth. Their stones can range from just a few dollars, to about $150.00, and a gorgeous selection of approximately $200.00 to $900.00, and an exclusive collection of the finest opals that can be found anywhere. They are all bargains, from $4.00 to $4,000.00.

24.64 CT 34.7 x 14.1 x 6.0 mm Boulder Opal from Opals Downunder

The descriptions, photos and videos of each gem offered by Opals Downunder has proven to be the most accurate representation of any of the other stores I have purchased Boulder Opals from. Each stone is shown and described as accurately as possible, the top quality and the less expensive gems.

8.79 CT 32.4 X 14.3 X 2.7 mm Boulder Opal from Opals Downunder

The first time I saw a photo of one of the opals from Opals Downunder, I knew immediately I was looking at something exquisite. I have been accused of having expensive tastes – I can pick out the most expensive anything, without having a clue about what I am looking at: A turbo for a diesel engine, goats or shoehorns, I can pick the nicest, most expensive, best quality whatever, so much so that it has become a bit of a joke in my family.

So, when I saw the colors in that first stone – the flashing blues and greens, flickering reds and yellow – I assumed I was looking at a multi-thousand dollar gem. I clicked on the tiny picture, expecting to see photos enhanced by some editing software, glaring in an overtly conspicuous fashion like someone dripped neon paint on a rock, or perhaps using some misleading lighting. Instead, there was a photo of an exceptional opal, rich and deep, with NO signs of editing from enhancement software. I scrolled down to read the description and see if there were any other photographs – I found many, as well as VIDEO.

With video, it is easy to check for enhancement: compare the color in the stills with the color in the video and see if they match. Many times, sellers will display the gem on black, to make the colors pop better. Or if there is a video, the stone is being held in forceps, not giving you anything for size or color comparison.

37.28 CT 29.8 X 23.0 X 6.8 mm Boulder Opal from Opals Downunder

The Boulder Opal from Opals Downunder however, was being held by bare hands in the video, and against a neutral color in the photos. You could see by the color of the hands in the video that it was not enhanced or edited. The skin tone was natural, not overly rich like it had been boosted in some way. You could also gain an idea of size, especially for those looking to set a stone in a ring.  The individual “modeling” the opal knew exactly how to move it to show off each and every color, every millimeter of play, and the iridescent flashes. It was as if I were there myself, holding and turning the opal to watch colors dance and change.

I could not help but to buy that very stone, and a few others.

10.92 CT 25.4 X 7.7 X 4.8 mm, Side A Boulder Opal from Opals Downunder

10.92 CT 25.4 X 7.7 X 4.8 mm Side B, Boulder Opal from Opals Downunder

When I received my first gems from Opals Down Under, I was awestruck by the uniqueness of the patters and magnificent colors therein. As I pulled them from their containers into the sun, there was no doubt that they were, by far, superior to any opal I’d ever seen, in person or through digital media.  Wanting to compare my new opals from Opals Downunder next to the assortment of Boulder Opals I’d bought from other sellers, I pulled each one from it’s container, and arranged them on the bed. I just could not believe that the Opals from Opals Downunder were so much better than the others!

13.34 CT 28.3 X 16.1 X 3.6 mm Boulder Opal from Opals Downunder

There was such difference between the opal from Opals Downunder and the other stones, that I could hardly believe that they were the same things, let alone from the same areas of Australia. I felt as if I had the “Ah-Ha” moment of my opal-collecting career. Aside from obvious differences between each stone, like carat size, dimensions and unique pattern, the comparison in color, flash, play of color, luster were so much better, that it was hard to believe they had anything in common at all.

common at all.

I have kept careful records of which stone came from where, how long it took it arrive, my thoughts on service, cost, and so on.  I have lists with price being the factor in order, as well as one for carat size. To my amazement, the stones that I received from Opals Downunder were less expensive or very close in price, than those that were smaller, and much, much lower in quality.  Along with records, I kept the eBay ad for each stone I bought, which includes the photos and videos. The only Boulder Opals out of the 45+ in my possession that came close to matching their ads in word, photo, or video, were the opals from Opals Downunder. Each stone was EXACTLY as it appeared in the ad. I could hold the stone up next to the computer screen with the video playing, and there was simply no difference in color, flash or play. None. Every detail, good and bad, was pointed out for you. It was the most HONEST depiction of the many stones I had purchased.

8.68 CT 15.0 x 14.4 x 4.4 mm Boulder Opal from Opals Downunder

In short, the good folks at Opals Downunder have won my heart with the personalized customer service, honest representation and wonderful buying options. It is apparent in each opal that they are experts in their field, and go above and beyond to find the finest gems to offer to their customers, for the best prices possible. Whether you are looking for an upscale piece for a ring, or a predrilled focal for a necklace, a loose collectors gem or a large stone for a cuff bracelet, this is THE place to find them. Honesty and effort has been put into each and every opal they offer.

11.18 CT 23.5 X 11.4 X 3.7 mm Boulder Opal from Opals Downunder

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I’d like to thank those who have chosen to read this, and share in my love for these amazing gems. I would also like to reiterate that I am writing this without anticipation of gain from Opals Downunder, or their other store, Aussie Opals. In this day and age of underhanded sales tactics, and shoddy customer service, I felt compelled to give credit where credit is due.

So if you are looking to add to your collection, you have a little or a lot of money to spend, or are going to create a master piece to be used as a novel engagement ring, I cannot recommend another store as highly as this.

Blessings to you and yours,

Cruzlin Picabo Schubert