AUSTRALIAN OPAL AWARDS – HELPFUL INFORMATION

An entry form is available to download here >>> AOA-Entry-form-2024

The highly qualified judging panel will be announced by the end of May 2024.

SPONSORS

The 2024 Australian Opal Awards and the fantastic cash prizes and trophies would not be possible without the generous support of its sponsors.

  • Cody Opals (Australia) Pty Ltd
  • Iris Opals Pty Ltd
  • True Blue Opals Pty Ltd
  • Down to Earth Opals Pty Ltd
  • Black Opal Direct Pty Ltd
  • Opal Association of Australia
  • Austgems Pty Ltd
  • Lahoud Opals Pty Ltd
  • Absolute Opals & Gems Pty Ltd
  • Walgett Shire Council
  • Lightning Ridge District Bowling Club
  • Lightning Ridge Miners’ Association Ltd

AUSTRALIAN OPAL AWARD CATEGORIES

All categories must feature Australian solid opal.

  • Open Prestige Jewellery – featuring any shaped Australian opal including cabochon
    • AUD$15,000 first prize sponsored by, Cody Opals (Australia) Pty Ltd, Iris Opals Pty Ltd and True Blue Opals Pty Ltd
  • Freeform Prestige Jewellery – featuring freeform/undulating Australian opal
    • AUD$7,500 first prize sponsored by Lahoud Opals Pty Ltd and Opal Association of Australia
  • Designer Wear for Men – featuring freeform/undulating Australian opal
    • AUD $2,500 first prize sponsored by Black Opal Direct Pty Ltd
  • Masterpiece Australian opal carving
    • AUD $2,500 first prize sponsored by Down to Earth Opals Pty Ltd
  • Freestyle Australian opal carving
    • AUD $2,500 first prize sponsored by Down to Earth Opals Pty Ltd
  • Digital Jewellery Entry – a manufactured piece of jewellery featuring freeform/undulating Australian opal
    • AUD $1,500 first prize sponsored by Austgems Pty Ltd
  • Jewellery Sketches
    • AUD$1,000 first prize sponsored by Absolute Opals & Gems Pty Ltd

ADDITIONAL AWARDS

  • People’s Choice
    • AUD $1,000 first prize sponsored by Black Opal Direct Pty Ltd
  • Carving Encouragement Award
    • free workshop sponsored by Down to Earth Opals Pty Ltd
  • Trophies AUD $2,500 sponsored by True Blue Opals Pty Ltd
  • General sponsors AUD $1,000 Lahoud Opals Pty Ltd and AUD $2,000 Opal Association of Australia

ELIGBILITY

  • All entries must feature untreated, solid, Australian Opal
  • All entries except for the Open Prestige Jewellery award must feature freeform and or undulating Australian opal
  • Must be an original design
  • Must have been manufactured or carved since the previous competition July 2019
  • Must supply a high-resolution jpeg image of your entry on a white background for identification and promotional purposes
  • Digital Jewellery entrant must supply a 30-60 second video, AVI file, maximum 10MB of a manufactured piece of opal jewellery

JUDGING CRITERIA

  • Jewellery
    • Creativity/innovative design                                     45
    • Craftsmanship                                                           25
    • Wearability/broad based consumer appeal             15
    • Overall beauty                                                          15
  • Masterpiece Carving
    • Creativity and innovation of design                        34
    • Degree of difficulty                                                  33
    • Craftsmanship (scratch free, mirror finish)              33
  • Freestyle Carving
    • Creativity and innovation of design                        40
    • Degree of difficulty                                                 40
    • Craftsmanship (scratch free, waxy finish)                20
  • Jewellery Sketches
    • Creative/innovative design                                    50
      • Suitability of design to the opal
    • Manufacturing practicality                                    35
    • Craftsmanship                                                        15

The Australian Opal Awards, under the auspices of the International Opal Jewellery Design Awards Association, reserves the right to alter categories and prizes.