I cannot believe it’s almost Easter!
Last year, I had the honor of being elected as President of the Association, along with a new Committee. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Paul Sedawie, Sally Patel, George Christianos, Edmond Lahoud and Yianni Anthansiadis for their efforts, especially Paul, who served as President for 13 years. Paul will continue to be part of the Committee, focusing on administering the Authenticity Certificate Program, including member certification as will Edmond Lahoud who stays on as our public officer.
A little about me for those I haven’t met yet: I’m the other half of Black Opal Direct and have been involved in the industry since 1999. Like you, I’m passionate about opal and its role in sustaining a unique and valuable industry that is important to Australia. Black Opal Direct operates in many markets both domestically and internationally. I’ve been lucky enough to meet opal dealers, designers and opal lovers from all over the world and I hope that experience can be put to use for the benefit of the Association.
Your New Committee
- President: Ruth Benjamin-Thomas – Black Opal Direct
- Vice President: Ted Hamilton – Fortune Opal Mining Company
- Treasurer: Darren Jack – Australian Outback Opals
- Secretary: William Cody – Cody Opals
- Public Officer: Edmond Lahoud – Lahoud Opals
- Committee Members:
- Damien Cody – Cody Opals
- John McDonald – Australian Opal Shop
- Paul Sedawie – Seda Opals
Membership
Our Association is only as strong as its membership. While we’ve been a bit dormant, your new committee is working hard behind the scenes to improve processes.
Many of you have not yet renewed your membership for the year. We understand that the process may be challenging, but we’re working on a new accounting system and hope to issue individual renewal invoices for the 2025/26 financial year in early June.
Opal Classification and the CIBJO Congress
In early November, I represented the Opal Association in China, along with fellow Aussies Damien Cody (representing the International Colored Gemstone Association), Ronnie Bauer (JAA), and Katherine Kovacs (GAA). This was for the annual Congress of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), which produces the “Blue Books” – guides to Diamonds, Pearls, Precious Metals, and Coloured Gemstones. Led by Gaetano Cavalieri, CIBJO is keen to create an opal guide based on the work done here in Australia on Opal Classification.
As the Opal Association representative, I, along with other Australians, am now working with representatives from Mexico, Brazil, and Ethiopia to create this worldwide guide. In addition to the working group meeting, I was also asked to give a brief update within the main congress program on our progress. Having this exposure to the Opal Association was invaluable, and I hope that by the next congress, we will have made significant progress in presenting a draft.
While our Association might be in a rebuilding phase, events like this give us a weight and presence we haven’t previously had. Your support through increased membership numbers will help us lobby and make a real difference within the industry.
Marketing
We are currently working on reviving the Opal Association Instagram account. We would like to collect all our members’ account names so that we can repost and promote our members online and grow our presence. Please follow the account and send us a DM from your Instagram account to be included (if you are not already followed by the Opal Association).
Tariffs
The current tariff news coming out of the USA and its impact on one of Opal’s biggest trading partners is disappointing. There is now a 10% tariff on all loose and rough opal shipped to the USA. The de minimis value of US$800 is still in place for now which means that shipments of a value less than US$800 are not subject to the tariff. However, expect it to be removed at some stage in the near future as the US has indicated that as soon as USPS can upgrade their systems this will be the case.
Australian Opal Awards
The Association is a proud supporter of these awards and entries are now open via their brand new website. https://australianopalawards.com.au. There are $35,000 in prizes up for the taking which makes it one of the richest jewellery awards in Australia.
If you are going to be in Lightning Ridge for the Opal Festival in July make sure you book your tickets to the Gala awards dinner early – they were sold out last year! All details are on the website.
That’s all from me for now, wishing you and your family a very happy Easter and please don’t hesitate to drop me an email with any questions or concerns you may have. I’ll be in the Ridge this weekend so please come up and say hi!
Cheers,
Ruth Benjamin-Thomas – President