It’s time to raid your grandmother’s jewellery box because this antique favourite is set for a comeback big time. Found in the ochre red dirt of Australia’s outback, this gemstone is quickly climbing the must-have ladder when it comes to choice of bling.

Dior kick-started the revival in 2004 with Victoire de Castellane’s nature-inspired collection that featured the Lunae Lumen Holly Colorum – a midnight-blue snake curled around a dark opal. Dior’s current timepiece collections also feature opals, much like Cartier with their High Jewelery Secret Hour watch.

ztile11280X720TEMPLATEcopy
Credit: Morphe Jewelry

Tiffany and Co. followed suit, featuring Australian opals in three of its pieces for the 2015 Blue Book including a necklace with a 5.9-carat oval black opal. The jewellery brand also features the stone in its current collection with a pink opal pendant.

Of course, once the big fashion houses welcomed the unique stone into their repertoire, other brands have followed suit. No longer something saved for just special occasions, these brands have transformed opals into pieces that will fit seamlessly into your everyday collection.

MANIA MANIA

Melanie Kamsler and Tamila Purvis are the duo behind ubiquitous label Mania Mania. Their pieces are symbolic and abounding with modern mysticism and crafted from gold, gemstones (opals included) and ethically sourced diamonds.

OUR TOP PICKS:

zmaniamaniaSACREDband_whitegoldopal_front_2731x2048_46acb07ebd3b4266bc356b9f3079728e_2048x2048
Mania Mania, 14k white gold Sacred Band, $3900. SHOP NOW

zmanimaniaHYDRAstudearrings_yellowgoldopal_front_2731x2048_23817b725ee3435c9d34c613305d13c5_2048x2048
Mania Mania, 14k yellow gold Hydra Studs, $1800. SHOP NOW

zmanimaniaRITUALnecklace_yellowgoldopal_crop_2731x2048_b0368d3248f74cc0a923c03c39418324_2048x2048
Mania Mania, 14k yellow gold Ritual necklace, $2200.  SHOP NOW

Morphe Jewelry

This beautiful fine jewellery brand is helmed by Sofia Ajram in her Montreal studio. With a love for the beauty and mystique of outer space, Morphe Jewelry pieces are uniquely imbued ith a magical charm. Each piece has a background narrative of its own and is truly unique.

Our top picks:

zMJwanderingstarring
Morphe Jewelry, Wandering star ring, $1716. SHOP NOW

zMJLvnaearrings
Morphe Jewelry, LVNA earrings, $305. SHOP NOW

zMJorbitusring
Morphe Jewelry, Orbitus ring, $517SHOP NOW

James and Irisa

Fledgling label James and Irisa is already making waves, with textural, modern pieces born from a passion for the Australian opal. The partner team behind the self-titled label say their love for the precious gem was the catalyst for launching their label that heralds the stone like no other.

Our top picks: 

zmeteorolitenecklace
James and Irisa, Meteorolite Opal Necklace, $1420. SHOP NOW
zmeteorolitetrailring
James and Irisa, Meteorolite trail ring, $500. SHOP NOW

zmeteoroliteopencuff
James and Irisa, Meteorolite Open Cuff, $1590. SHOP NOW


Main header image: Courtesy ManiaMania