TUCSON SHOW GUIDE FOR 2019
It has been suggested the opal association should run a one page add promoting the Opal Trail in Australia with the names of members who are selling in Tucson and their locations . We have the funds available and we could promote positive news that “Opal production is up on most fields”’. This can be put to members at our next meeting.The response to repeat last years add was slow but we should be promoting our industry and this is a good chance as there is good exposure to the industry.
MINTABIE OPAL FIELD.
The dead line for submission has been extended to the 31 st October2018.
We have formed a sub committee to lobby both state and federal politicians for the continuation of the Mintabie opal field for mining.
They are
Max Novelli, Yanni Athanasiadis, George Christianous, Damien Cody, Andrew Cody, Paul Sedawie.
We previously mentioned that the town had a fighting fund but the figure was inaccurate and we apologize for this.
OPAL ARTICLES
The Australian jewellery world did four articles on opals in its September issue.
-The first article was the proposal for the revised classification for opals. It was interesting to note that they quoted Australia now produces 60 % of worlds production in volume terms!!. They listed the 8 categories and made mention that CIBJO has endorsed full and proper uniform disclosure on all gemstones.
_The second article was title “Bleak out look for black opal”’ This is the type of heading we don’t need. While many of those interviewed tried to make out that scarcity of supply will increase prices the author has made it sound negative. There is more exploration and production in most fields and the pricing board at the ridge is seeing more opal than previous years. There was some positive comments at the end of the article about more fields to be discovered but we should follow up with the author as there was too much negative headlines. We should always talk up our industry especially to other gem dealers as supply is important to any industry.
-The third article was about the Mintabie opal field. It mentioned about the uncertainty of the future of the town and how its unfair to blame the whole community for the crimes that have happened there.
-The fourth article was about being part of the national treasure . This article mentioned how the Australian opal centre has gone from strength to strength and high lights its impact on the town and the opal industry with comments from founding members.
The founding members have pledged app $ 800,000 to date . The project will be built in two stages with the first costing 20 million of which 2 million is required from founding members and I believe also companies. If you are considering being a founding member you should join this week as the leverage you have is high to get this great project started .I joined as a founding member along with opal association members Peter Sherman and Sally Patel at the last Lightning ridge opal show. More details below but if your interested do it by the “”12 OCTOBER”” before the next submission to the state govt. SO DO IT NOW!!!
https://outlook.live.com/mail/inbox/id/AQQkADAwATE2MTEAMC04NDY0LTNlYzgtMDACLTAwCgAQAIfihedrWaBPkWiO%2BQWRvqg%3D
Kind Regards
Paul Sedawie
President of the Opal Association
