Entries to 2011 International Opal Jewellery Design Awards extended to Friday July 15th.

Entries are now open to the 2011 International Opal Jewellery Design Awards. Download the 2011_IOJDAA_entry_form

$2000 Christine Roussel Award for best carving

In honour of the late Christine Roussel’s inspiring contribution to the opal industry and the craft of opal carving, a  new $2000 cash award known as the ‘Christine Roussel Award’ will be introduced in 2011.

The Christine Roussel Award will be nominated by the IOJDAA judges. The award will be for the best overall carved piece which can be figurative, abstract, a loose carving or one set in jewellery. The only criteria is that the opal must have an undulated surface. Read more

Unique handcrafted opal jewellery

The International Opal Jewellery Design Awards  has become a prestigious event that attracts jewellery designers from both Australia and overseas.

Entered into the Awards are striking pieces of unique handcrafted jewellery using freeform and or undulating opal.

The Awards are biannual however they are held at the same time as the annual Opal and Gem Festival in Lightning Ridge. 

Using Freeform and or Undulating Opal

Initially, the Awards were established to find innovative ways to design pieces of jewellery that conserved opal and moved away from traditional oval shaped pieces.

This very practical concern has inspired:
•    stunning jewellery pieces using freeform and or undulating opal
•    and an emerging carving movement.