Member News

Hi Many thanks to Steve  from Rainbow Story for his work in doing the Australian Opal trail. There is a short press release version and a longer version for magazines.

While we intend to do a press release to the media we NEED YOU HELP!!!  If you have any media or magazines contacts forward the main article to then and if they need photos we can provide that direct to them.Len cram has kindly offered some of his photos.

Kind Regards 

Paul Sedawie

President of the Opal Association 

http://www.opal.asn.au/opal/

Press Release 2017 Circuit – Full Version – long version[12581]

Press Release 2017 Circuit – 350 Words – short draft[12582]

Reply from QLD Fair Trading.

As I understand it  King Opal will receive a fine for around $10,000. There is a reference to the opal association, but its up to the members to decide about membership of King opal. 

King opal has replied to the Opal Association that it will comply with our written display conditions.

The Tucson gem show can be best described as flat. As with most gem shows some people do well while others don’t.  As  it had been a few years since I had attended the show I was surprised at the  low turn out of crowds and  the excitement seemed a lot less. I noted that the Tucson gem guide was half the size as it was 5 years ago but the Tucson metaphysical guide which sells the “’healing/ spiritual” side of gems was the same size. At the show there was over 15 opal association members exhibiting and after some general discussions there was a feeling from the grass roots we need to promote the TUCSON OPAL CIRCUIT.

This may include a array of opals from all fields with the show circuit and member’s booth numbers and a small detail of what they sell. Following this initiative I have booked one page in the Tucson gem guide  at a cost of 2200 usd but the general feeling was a double page would have more impact. This would work out at only a few hundred dollars per exhibitor.The add would need to be done by October  and paid for in December 2017. If members agreed the association could also pay a small part and promote the AUSTRALIAN OPAL CIRCUIT which would add some excitement to the add.

We would need a coordinator for this project  which should be a paid job so if your interested please apply.

Also any other members interested please register your interest as we have 8 already . The more that join the cheaper it will be and it gives us a united front.

Some members used social media to promote there booths to attract new customers so we could also try that if members agreed.

The love affair with welo opal seems to be over and I did hear a lot of negative comments on the stone[by non aussies] I feel this gives us a opportunity to promote quality Australian opals so lets take advantage of it.

For those members wishing to join contact

[email protected]