Frequently Asked Questions
General
We're based in tropical Townsville, Queensland. Our showroom is open by appointment, seven days a week, so you can explore our opals and jewellery in person before you buy.
You can reach Iona via email or phone:
AU Mobile: +61427611501
Or you can send a chat message right here.
We look forward to hearing from you!
At Iona Opal Australia, we keep it real. As a small family business, we don't have the huge overheads of the big-city jewellers - which means we don't inflate our prices. Instead, we focus on fair, honest pricing for genuine Australian opals that speak for themselves.
Every piece is hand-cut and crafted with care, backed by years of trusted industry experience.
We proudly ship worldwide, so no matter where you are, you can own a piece of Australian opal magic directly from our Townsville workshop.
Visit our Iona Opal Australia Customer Reviews page to read what our customers say about us!
We ship to most countries worldwide so that everyone around the world can enjoy the beauty of Australian Opals.
Absolutely. We only work with solid Australian opals sourced from world-famous fields like Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, Mintabie, and beyond.
Solid Australian opals are unique and full of life, with natural colour patterns you won't see in synthetic or imitation stones. We're an Accredited Opal Specialist and guarantee every opal we sell is authentic and ethically sourced.
Yes, we offer a selection of loose opals for collectors, jewellers, and customers who want to design their own piece.
Hi 👋 I'm Iona! You can read about me HERE. I'm the artisan behind your next favourite jewellery piece.
Every opal you see here has been hand-cut by me, and every setting is designed with care in my Townsville workshop.
I don't believe in shortcuts or mass production — just honest craftsmanship, genuine Australian opals, and jewellery that's made to be treasured for a lifetime.
It's not just me though — my husband and my dad help me with workshop improvements, maintenance, and most importantly, deliveries. We're a very small family business, and we're proud to be part of the Australian Made Campaign.
I'm always happy to have a chat if you'd like to know more about a piece, opals in general, a custom design idea, or even just more about me.
We thank you so much for supporting our small Aussie business 💛 Iona
Yes! We'd love to help make your purchase extra special. You can add a handwritten gift message at checkout, and all of our orders are beautifully presented in a jewellery box — ready to give. If you'd like anything extra, just leave a note with your order and we'll do our best.
We accept all major credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more. You'll see all available payment options at checkout.
Yes — we offer Zip, which lets you buy now and pay over time. Simply select Zip at checkout. For more information, visit our Zip page.
Jewellery
Use a soft, damp cloth to gently clean your opal jewellery.
Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and harsh chemicals, which can damage the setting.
Yes, but like all fine jewellery, it should be worn with care. Remove your opal pieces during heavy work, sports, or when using strong chemicals.
In some cases we can resize opal rings, but the design and stone setting will determine what's possible. Contact us for advice before sending your piece.
Absolutely. We can supply and set an opal engagement ring to your specifications, using only solid Australian opals and quality metals.
We work with solid 9ct and 18ct Australian gold (yellow, white, and rose) and 925 sterling silver.
Visit our Jewellery Sizing Chart for a guide to measuring your finger at home. If you're unsure, we recommend getting sized at a local jeweller before ordering — or just get in touch and we'll help you find the right fit.
Sterling silver naturally develops a patina over time. To keep it looking bright, use a soft silver polishing cloth. Avoid exposure to chlorine, perfume, and harsh chemicals, and store your silver pieces in a sealed pouch or anti-tarnish bag when not in use.
In some cases, yes. Contact us with the dimensions, shape, and weight of your opal along with what you have in mind. We'll let you know if it's suitable and provide an obligation-free quote.
We offer inspection and repair services for pieces made by Iona Opal Australia. If you have a piece from us that needs attention, get in touch and we'll discuss what's possible and provide a quote if required.
Fantastic! Iona would love to create something truly special for you.
To get started, simply choose an opal you like and then visit our Custom Jewellery page to complete the obligation-free quote request.
Alternatively, you can contact Iona by email, phone or SMS:
+61 427 611 501
Opals
Solid opals are natural stones cut from a single piece of opal. Doublets and triplets are thin slices of opal glued to a backing (and in the case of triplets, topped with a clear cap). We only sell solid Australian opals for their beauty, durability, and lasting value.
Crystal opal is semi-transparent with vibrant colour play visible through the body of the stone — often found at Coober Pedy.
Black opal has a dark body tone (N1–N4 on the grading scale), which makes the colours appear more vivid and intense. Lightning Ridge black opals are considered the most valuable opal in the world.
Boulder opal is found naturally bonded to its ironstone host rock in Queensland and is cut with the matrix left in place, giving each piece a distinctive, earthy character unlike any other opal type.
We source directly from Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, Mintabie, Yowah, Opalton, Winton, and other reputable Australian opal mining areas.
Yes, solid Australian opals are naturally stable and safe to wear in normal conditions. Unlike doublets, triplets, or Ethiopian opal, solid Australian opals won't be damaged by water.
No — that's a common myth, and it applies to Ethiopian opal, not Australian opal. Ethiopian opal is hydrophane (it absorbs water), which can temporarily affect its appearance. Solid Australian opals are stable and don't require oiling, hydrating, or any special storage treatment.
Store your opal jewellery in a soft pouch or lined jewellery box to prevent scratches. Avoid storing it with harder gemstones that could mark the surface.
Body tone refers to the base darkness of the opal, graded from N1 (black) through to N9 (white or milky). Darker body tones tend to make the opal's colours appear more vivid and contrasting — which is why black opals from Lightning Ridge are so highly prized. Body tone is one of the key factors used to assess and value an opal.
Opal's colour play is caused by the diffraction of light through a microscopic grid of silica spheres inside the stone. As light passes through these spheres, it bends and splits into spectral colours — like a natural prism. The size and arrangement of the spheres determines which colours appear, which is why opals flash and shift as you move them in the light.
Opals form over millions of years under unique conditions. Each stone's colour play, pattern, and shape are completely individual, making every opal truly one-of-a-kind.
Returns and exchanges
We want you to be completely happy with your purchase.
Our return policy allows for returns within 30 days of delivery. Items must be in their original condition with packaging.
Contact us at iona@ionaopal.com to start a return.
Please review our full return and refund policy here.
Workmanship Warranty
All jewellery created by Iona Opal Australia is covered by a workmanship warranty. This covers faults in the metalwork and setting — including construction, soldering, and the security of the setting — in accordance with Australian Consumer Law. If a fault in workmanship is identified, the piece will be repaired or remedied as required.
Opal & Gemstone Disclaimer
Opal is a natural gemstone and can be sensitive to impact, pressure, and temperature changes once worn. While every opal is carefully selected and monitored for stability before setting, opal gemstones are not covered under warranty for cracking, chipping, or breakage after the piece has left the workshop. These are considered inherent risks of natural opal.
Australian Consumer Law
Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major workmanship failure, and to compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage.
Shipping
Australian Customers
Express Post is FREE Australia-wide! Orders generally take 2–5 business days to arrive. Delivery times may be longer during peak periods such as December.
International Customers
Standard international shipping is $35 AUD. Orders generally take 7–14 business days to arrive worldwide, depending on your location and customs clearance.
For our valued US customers, we include the 10% tariff in the checkout price so there are no surprises on delivery.
Yes. We ship to most countries worldwide with full tracking, so you can follow your order from our Townsville studio to your door.
Domestic orders usually arrive within 2–5 business days. International orders generally take 7–14 business days, depending on your location and customs clearance. These times can vary based on Australia Post delivery times.
Absolutely. You'll receive a tracking number as soon as your order ships.
All jewellery is presented in a professional jewellery box, then carefully wrapped and secured in protective packaging to ensure it arrives safely. We also use discreet outer labelling for security.
This depends on your country's import regulations. For most orders, no additional duties apply, but we recommend checking with your local customs authority if you're unsure.
For our US customers, we include the 10% tariff in the checkout price — so what you pay is what you pay, with no surprise charges on delivery.
Contact us straight away. We'll assist you in locating your order and, if necessary, lodge an investigation with the shipping carrier.
