Aussie Black Opal at Bondi

Bondi Beach Opals, Fossils and Minerals is one retail discovery we’re truly excited about. Having opened a little over a year ago it presents possibly the very best (and biggest) collection of black opal and silver jewellery in Sydney. The range includes everything from affordable gifts to extremely rare and valuable stones. Modern, youthful and dynamic settings in silver include pendants, rings and earrings. The larger and more precious stones are set traditionally, in gold with diamonds.

This family operation is headed up by Lightning Ridge opal mining veteran Edmond Lahoud, who still prospects when he’s not managing international wholesale sales. Edmond’s wife Giovanna and daughter Gabriella handle sales and marketing and supervise the dedicated retail and creative team.

The Lahouds deal mostly in premium black opal and opalised fossils from Lightning Ridge, in NSW, plus a selection of boulder opal from Queensland. Black opal, the rarest and most valuable type found, exhibits an extremely strong and vivid palette of colours. ‘Put a piece of black opal next to any other kind and it blows it away. Like fire burning, it just glows,’ says Edmond.

Stock ranges from affordable smaller pieces of 4 x 6mm to extremely valuable specimens measuring 18 x 22mm and more.Silver-mounted opal pendants start from as low as $25. The staggering selection of silver rings – there literally are thousands to choose from – range from $50 to $2500. At the premium end of the scale, the larger stones may be priced up to $50,000 and beyond. Many of the unique fancy specimens are destined to become treasured family heirlooms.

The store also stocks a good selection of rare opalised fossils and collectable mineral specimens such as crystal quartz, azurite, malachite and hematite that would make beautiful display pieces. Giovanna says their range of ‘Super Seven’ quartz – a composite of minerals believed to have ancient healing powers – is extremely popular. The mix of amethyst, cacoxenite, clear quartz, goethite, rutile, smokey quartz, and lepidocrocite is said to resonate at a frequency that can ‘facilitate spiritual growth’. It’s also said to provide an access corridor to the subconscious mind, so we disclaim all responsibility… We suggest you handle it wisely!

Other gemstones such as ruby, emerald, aquamarine and morganite (pink aquamarine) are available. Edmond is also passionate about the black and white South Sea pearls he buys directly from international and Australian farmers, a product that provides a fitting link between sea and land for this little gem of a shop that is bringing fresh beauty to Bondi Beach.

Bondi Beach Opals, Fossils and Minerals
Shop 7B, 164 Campbell Parade,
Bondi Beach, NSW
Tel 02 9300 9418
facebook.com/Bondibeachopal