Why We're Giving Away One of Our Rarest Pieces

Behind the Stone

Why We're Giving Away One of Our Rarest Pieces

Opal Watching

We don't give things away often. When we do, it means the piece is worth talking about. It was part of a parcel of opal purchased in 1976 that I recently acquired.

This October, we're offering one handcrafted Australian opal pendant to one person — free, no purchase required. If you've ever wanted to own a genuine piece of Australian opal jewelery but weren't sure where to start, this is your moment.

Here's the full story.

What Is the Prize?

The pendant features a genuine Australian opal — a stone whose play of color shifts from deep warm reds, golds and green depending on the angle of the light. It is hand-set in a sterling silver setting and finished on a fine sterling chain, ready to wear.

This is not a mass-produced piece. It was cut, polished, and set by hand. There is only one of this piece in the world.

Where Does Australian Opal Come From?

Australian opal accounts for roughly 95% of the world's supply. The two most celebrated sources are Lightning Ridge in New South Wales — home of the prized black opal — and Coober Pedy in South Australia, known for its white and crystal opals.

What makes these stones rare is the combination of silica spheres, water, and millions of years of geological pressure that produce the play of colour — the shifting spectral fire that no two opals share in quite the same way. You cannot manufacture that. You can only find it.

How Is a Handcrafted Opal Pendant Made?

The process begins at the mine. Rough opal is assessed for color, clarity, and potential before any cutting begins. A skilled cutter then shapes the stone — removing material carefully to preserve the color bar and bring out the play of light.

Once cut and polished, the stone is set by hand. The setting is designed to hold the stone securely while allowing light to enter from multiple angles, which is what makes the color shift as you move.

The result is a piece that carries the full history of its origin — from the Australian outback to a finished pendant.

Why Are We Giving It Away?

Because the best way to understand what makes Australian opal special is to hold one.

We've spent years sourcing and crafting these pieces. We know what it feels like to see a stone's color shift for the first time. We want more people to have that experience — and a giveaway felt like the most direct way to make it happen.

One entry. One winner. No strings.

How Do I Enter?

Entry is free. Visit our giveaway page, add your name and email, and you're in. The draw closes on October 25, 2026, and the randomly selected winner will be contacted by email. The pendant will be shipped USPS Priority mail in the U.S. - Postage to be determined and paid by the winner for overseas shipping.

Enter the Opal Watching Giveaway — it takes less than a minute.

What Happens After the Draw?

The winner receives the pendant directly from us, with full provenance details — where the stone was sourced, how it was cut, and what to look for in its play of color.

If you don't win, the collection remains open. Every piece we carry has the same standard of sourcing and craft. Browse at your own pace — there's no pressure, and no hard sell.

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*The giveaway closes October 25, 2026. Free entry. One entry per person. Winner contacted by email.*

giveawayAustralian opalhandcrafted jewelryopal pendantLightning Ridge

Ethically sourced

We work directly with Australian miners and trusted Australian opal vendors. We disclose the source, location, field or mine in the product description whenever possible. (We do not use Ethiopian or Welo opal).

Hand-selected stones for custom work

Every stone is chosen by eye. We reject far more than we accept — only stones with genuine character make it to our collection.

Certified authentic Australian

Each opal comes with description of its origin and type. You know exactly what you're buying and where it came from. (We do not use Ethiopian/Welo opal)

Expert jewelry repair or modification

Our professionals have years of experience, some of the latest jewelry metal working equipment and produce quality new, custom and upgraded vintage opal jewelry.

© 2026 Opal Watching. All rights reserved.

All opal stones are natural and unique unless otherwise specified. Colors may vary slightly from images shown. Some rings, pendants or OpalWatching watch pendants or bracelets may use lab created opal to protect consistency and integrity of product and help reduce consumer costs. Appropriate identification between true opal stones, opal doublets, triplets or lab created opal is contained within each product description.