I am heading to Australia in 2 months, and would like to get some opals for a couple of people as gifts. Any tips on how to buy or where to buy?? I am going to be in Sydney, Carins, and Melbourne, are any of these cities better than one to buy in?? Thanks.

Coober Pedy!

Here's a link to information on the various types of opal and the settings (solid, doublets, triplets) that will be useful if you're a novice opal buyer.

http://www.costellos.com.au/opals/types.html

Sydney & Melbourne both have a number of reputable opal retailers. My best advice would be to shop around and keep away from the "Tourist" shops where, as you would expect, prices are usually higher.

If you hold a doublet or triplet the the light and then tilt the stone through 80 - 110 degrees you will see a shadow form within the stone. This does not happen with a solid opal.

If in the Cairns area I would highly recommend The Gem Gallery in Yungaburra as they mine many their own stones and cut and set them too. Nick and David would be only too happy to give you a demonstration of the types of opal, the cutting techniques and how not to get fleeced if buying elsewhere.

Doublets & Triplets have their place and, provided they know what they're buying and pay the appropriate price, may well be quite suited to the purpose.

I've had a couple of pieces mounted on black potch to throw the colours up and am happy with the result. These were pieces I had and I know the cutter and setter.

Tourists are fleeced/scammed everywhere on this

Kind of like emeralds in SA if you do not know

about opals in Oz you are toast Even at "reputable" places.

www.bluenile.com/opal-diamond-ring_9822?rf=pd

my fav for this world wide no tax free shipping great returns

save a lot nothing but quality...