2013 International Opal Jewellery Design Award

A reversible black opal choker was the winning design at the 2013 International Opal Jewellery Design Awards on Friday, July 26.The choker, by Karin Tremonti from Tremonti Fine Gems & Jewellery in Albury, features a “a very large and very fine 30.93 carat black opal from Lightning Ridge measuring 5.2cm by 2cm wide.Displayed on four strands of spinel beads, the opal is accented with two circular cut bezel-set yellow sapphires and lines of brilliant cut diamonds mounted in 18 carat yellow gold on one side and 18 carat white gold on the reverse.Tremonti says nature was always a leading inspiration behind her designs.“I love opal and am a very proud user of this fine Australian gemstone,” she says.“I always say to my customers ‘Have a look and get inspired because an opal lives while a diamond just sparkles.”Held in Lightening Ridge bi-annually, the International Opal Jewellery Design Awards were established to promote free-form and/or undulating surface opals.