Opal Gemstones

Opal is one of the most magnificent gemstones and extremely popular among jewellers due to its rich play of colours. With each one being completely unique... Shop our large range of opal cabochons, faceted stones, crystals and beads for jewellery making. Including many variations such as Australian boulder opals, opal doublets, opal triplets, solid white opals and more.

About Opals

Opal is such a popular gemstone due to its stunning play of colours and beauty. It is thought that opal is formed by rain which seeps into the crevasses of the rock and once the water evaporates, the silica that is left dries and hardens into this beautiful gemstone. 'Common opals' have a milky, pearl lustre known as 'opalescence', and 'precious opals' offer a beautiful play of colour, which is caused by the refraction of light by silica spheres. Opals are mined all over the world, but the most precious opals are mined in Australia, U.S. and Mexico - with black opal being the most valuable. They measure 5.5-6.5 on Mohs hardness scale.

Jewellery Making With Opals

There are many types of opals, which makes this a great gemstone to use in your designs. At Kernowcraft, we have a stunning collection which usually includes; opal doublets, opal triplets, Australian boulder opals, Lightning Ridge opals, fire opals, dendrite opals, solid white opals, wood pipe opals, Peruvian opals and Ethiopian opal. Each stone is completely unique and one of a kind.

Although opal is such a popular gemstone for jewellery making, it's a soft stone, so care needs to be given when using it. Earrings and pendants are perfect to use with opals as the stone is less likely to be damaged. When creating a ring, ensure that the bezel protects the stone. Opal is the birthstone of October, making it a wonderful choice for creating a special birthday gift.

Shop our range of jewellery settings for cabochons and faceted stones or our range of beading threads and jewellery findingsto get making! We also have an extensive range of silversmithing supplies for all your needs. Explore our beginner's jewellery making kits with step by step instructions for inspiration or check out our jewellery making tutorials on silversmithing, wire-wrapping, beading, stone setting, texturing and more.

Sourcing Our Australian Boulder Opals

Go behind the scenes with Kernowcraft as we meet with Debbie, to cherry pick our favourite opals for your jewellery designs. We have a 20 year, long-standing relationship with this family business who mine, cut and polish the stones themselves. Find out more below...

Opal Gemstone Meaning

Opal is known as a lucky and protective stone, it's connected to love and passion - believed to help you reach your full potential. Find out more about opal, including why it definitely isn't cursed, here.

Have a question about our gemstones? Contact our friendly team today

What Our Customers Say...

Hayley Meredith

I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing service from Kernowcraft. I find your website easy to navigate, products good quality and the delivery is second to none!

Frank Wilson

I have grown as a jewellery maker over the last year or so due to the encouragement the team have given me - they are all experienced jewellery makers or keen crafters. They have helped to guide me through my inventory, offered helpful tips and advice on all manner of silver working.

Jaquie

It can be difficult to order gemstones online - no such worries with Kernowcraft - you really do care about your products & clients and it shows.

Helen

Just wanted to say thank you for picking such beautiful stones for my order. I'm halfway through making a ring for my daughter and the rose cut rainbow moonstones are particularly yummy. Thank you!

Sarah Tiley

Whenever I feel unsure as to where to purchase any stones or jewellery requirements I always go back to what is familiar. Thank you Kernowcraft for being true to your customers.

Daniel Coe

The customer service I have received from you and the help has been second to none. If only all companies were so helpful and understanding that i am a complete newbie. The retail world would be a better place.

George Inglis

Great looking website, one of the best I've seen and used. Good search function, good range of products, good prices and great advice for jewellery makers of all abilities. All-in-all a great site and one I'll use again and again.

April Luescher

Beautiful quality and colours - I rarely buy semi-precious stones anywhere else these days. Very helpful, superb service, speedy delivery. What more could anyone want?

Eve

The stones are excellent quality, and the special request I put in for dark citrines and paired malachites has been met perfectly. I am delighted with Kernowcraft, and will be back!

Frank Wilson

It is always a joy to deal with your Company and your hints and tips always help me to improve my skills and encourage my interests. Thank you for caring about us small enthusiastic silversmiths!

Jenny Kirkwood

Love the service you get and appreciate the range of products on offer. I just used the alligator tape for the first time and found myself asking - where have you been all my life?

Lydia Farrow

Just to say that I have always had the best possible results for every order - however small and all your products are of excellent quality.

Kim Thomson

I have been using Kernowcraft since 1997 and still regularly recommend them to all my students.

Jill Hammersely

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the team, particularly the ladies that helped me yesterday. Delivery took less than 24hrs, that's amazing. The quality of both cabochons and settings are stunning.

Claire Hall

Kernowcraft is my go to for all my gemstones! Their stones are the first ones I show when offering my clients stone choices and I can't recommend their customer service enough! This is a company that cares!

Helen Bowles

I felt compelled to write to you, as I'm so impressed with your quick service! I've been a Kernowcraft customer for years and have never had anything but reliable, efficient service from you.

Lenna

Hi, just a quick email to thank you for my cross and chain - I love it. What a speedy service - ordered it yesterday and wearing it tonight. Thank you very much.

Joel Martin

Great, easy to navigate website with wonderful clear photographs. I look forward to receiving my order... it's going to be like Christmas!

Rhiannon Piper

The opal I received is absolutely amazing and just perfect. Its such a beautiful stone and I tried it with my wedding dress yesterday and its just set it off so well.

I added a special request for moonstones with strong blue/green flashes and received 3 briolettes which were exactly that - some of the prettiest moonstones I’ve seen. Thank you!

Catherine Warwick

Just received my order that I placed only yesterday. I wanted to say thank you! I am delighted with the choice of cabochon, setting and books. Now I have to read up on how to set it! FABULOUS SERVICE - Thank you!

Marshal

Thank you to the lady who went to a great deal of trouble to find a very small opal that fitted a bezel cup. The work is now complete and looks very nice - my wife is delighted with the result.

Christine Wood

Just want to say a very big thank you for your quick delivery and excellent service. The stones I ordered arrived this morning, the quality and price are second to none. I was delighted with my purchase. Thank you so much.

Maggi Henman

I’ve just had my first order from you and I am so pleased with the fast delivery and the quality of the products. The satin cords and the findings really finished off my ceramic jewellery.

Lauren Jodie Piercy

Beautiful gemstones and a lot of choice. Running competitions and being interactive as well really sets them apart. Keep up the interesting content.

Claire

I just wanted to say a big thank you for the beautiful sapphires that arrived today. Hannah picked out just what I wanted and I’m over the moon with them.

Deborah Roberts-Barter

I have sent a couple of email enquiries today, which have been really quickly answered. This customer service is what made me order with you straight away!

Denise Mountain Pike

I recently ordered a couple of replacement stones from you and I'd just like to say how happy I am with my purchase and very impressed with the friendly helpful service you gave. Thank you very much.

Julia Schofield

I’ve used Kernowcraft as a supplier for findings and pearls since beginning my business 8 years ago, because I know I can absolutely rely on the quality I get. The service is pretty impeccable too.

Janice Scragg

Your website is easy to use, your products excellent, nice friendly service on the phone and delivery quick, excellent. Thank you and well done Kernowcraft. Gold star!

Mihaela Ciubotaru

I am very happy with my products... it is wonderful to have a reliable source of materials and gems with a fast delivery and a lot of tips on how to use the tools we buy.

Catriona

Thank you for my recent order as I'm blown away by all the lovely pieces. I don't really know what to start work on first. Thank you for supplying top quality items on a easy to use website.

Dorota Todd

I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the quality of pearls in my recent order! Thank you so much for taking time and matching them into pairs, it's very appreciated. Thank you and I am definitely going to buy at your store in the future.

Vivienne Sadler

Always too many temptations, but a joy to look through. Thank you for such good service. I have to be very strict with myself when I visit your website!

Gloria Williams

I just came across your online shop and my first reaction was wow! It has everything i need to carry on with my jewellery making. I've seen things that i have been looking for and couldn't find in so many other shops!

Lynn Carson

I bought the sand dollar charm to make a holiday bracelet. It’s really lovely, subtle and pretty detail. Perfect piece and exactly as described.