Columbia Gem House, a renowned supplier of responsibly sourced gemstones, is making a bold entry into the opal market. While traditionally not a major player in opal cutting and production, the company is now set to introduce calibrated opals from Australia’s famous Lightning Ridge deposit, thanks to an exclusive partnership with Cheal Opal, a family-run business featured on the Discovery Channel’s Outback Opal Hunters.
Founder and president Eric Braunwart admits he was initially skeptical of the reality-TV connection, but after working with the Cheal family for a year, he became convinced of the authenticity of their mining operations. “They don’t follow a script—they’ve set up their own production company, and it’s real work,” Braunwart shared.
Columbia Gem House will debut its selection at the American Gem Trade Association GemFair in Tucson on February 3. The opals, cut and calibrated for mass manufacturers, retailers, and designers, will range from $75 to $400 per carat. The collection includes standard oval cabochons from 1.5 mm to 16 mm by 12 mm, as well as elongated ovals, cushion cuts, pears, and rounds.
Braunwart is particularly excited about introducing calibrated black opals from Lightning Ridge. “If you look at the top gemstone sellers in the U.S., ruby, sapphire, and emerald dominate, but opal might be next in line,” he explained. He believes the market for high-quality, calibrated opals is underserved and sees a major opportunity.
Among the highlights of the collection is a striking new material Braunwart dubs ghost opal—a rare variety exhibiting an ethereal purple-blue glow with a moonstone-like sheen. “It comes in crystal pieces as well as black. The greens and multicolors are already proving popular, and the calibrated blacks down to 2 mm to 3 mm are absolutely stunning.”
With this launch, Columbia Gem House is poised to shake up the opal industry, offering a new standard of quality and consistency. Could this be the start of a new era for Lightning Ridge opals?