Opal Polishing Workshop: Unearth Your Own Precious Gem in Mudgee Wine Country
5.0
7 Ratings
Bungaba
Unearth your own precious gem in Mudgee Wine Country at the Opal Polishing Workshop. Polish genuine Australian opals and potentially leave with a valuable gem worth hundreds of dollars. Don't miss this opportunity of a lifetime!
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Braemore - The session commences with an introductory lecture on opals, covering their origins, formation process, and methods to discern if a stone contains any valuable opal. This knowledge is crucial for when you select your own set of opals. We provide specimens for examination and handling, ensuring you can identify the most promising and valuable opal parcels. Each participant then picks a set of three opals, with sizes varying between 6 - 12 carats. Following the selection, we guide you through the process of polishing these gems to bring out their brilliant luster and captivating play of color, a task that typically takes about two hours for the entire trio of stones. Upon completion, the opals are encased in a petite display box for you to carry home. Alternatively, they can be incorporated into a piece of jewelry either on-site or by a jeweler of your choice after you return home.
What's Included
- Complimentary bottled water
- Provided safety gear: magnifying headgear, gloves, sleeve protectors, apron, hair bands
What's Not Included
- Private transportation
- Snacks
Additional Information
This gives people the unique experience of polishing genuine Australian opal. There is nowhere else where you can polish opals and it is very likely that the opal you leave with will be worth more than the money you spent on this workshop. In fact, potentially you could polish an opal that is worth hundreds of dollars as it is impossible to see what an opal will look like before it’s been polished, so it is truly the luck of the draw. But we give you the information to help you make an informed choice of the parcel of opals you choose. Opal is becoming increasingly valuable with all opal rough being snapped up and it’s not going to get better in future as some opal fields are being closed down. This truly is the opportunity of a lifetime.
Location
Braemore
Blue Springs Road
We are 40 minutes out of Mudgee, the last two or three kilometres are on a well-kept dirt road. Our driveway is approximately one kilometre and a little bumpy, suitable for most cars as long as they’re not too close to the ground
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(7 Ratings)
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Y1604kdemmas
Dec 2, 2023
Highly recommended - Friendly instructors, class is informative and fun.
Highly recommended experience if travelling to Mudgee
Review provided by Tripadvisor
723lynettew
Nov 6, 2023
Excellent time - We are so glad we did it our host was excellent
He was very nice answered all our questions
was very patient and pleasant to deal with
Would do it again it very enjoyable time and you get to keep your
Thank you 10/10
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jacmadsen21
Apr 22, 2023
A new skill to learn with an incredibly passionate host, time flew by! - Highly recommend!! Sonja is so knowledgeable and passionate about opals from all the world (but especially passionate about Australian opals), and shares this in such a lovely way. She explains the whole process so simply, and shares her recommendations on which rocks she would choose to shine up with incredible authenticity. She’s along with you for the journey wholeheartedly.
She then teaches and guides you through the steps, making sure together you make the most of each stone.
I left with some beautiful opals and I’m so happy with how we got them to where we are.
Sonja is an incredible teacher, super supportive and is a joy to be around.
Bonus: She also has two very cute dogs - go and meet them.
You will become completely immersed in the experience and lose all track of time. This is the perfect way to spend your time escaping reality (and learning a new skill) in the Mudgee region.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K1864dokarenw
Apr 9, 2023
Outstanding - This was the best informative day, my husband and I enjoyed it so very much . We are addicted now to cutting and polishing rocks.
Peter was a great teacher , Sonja was so welcoming.
Thank you so much Steve and Karen
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amy_w
Apr 4, 2021
Fantastic Experience - We had constant fun, and we were very engaged throughout as we learnt so much about the stones and polishing techniques. Our 9 year old was always excited because of the wonderful stories he was told about opals and other stones. We left with three beautiful opals each that we will now be able to treasure - even though we arrived with no experience. Thanks for a wonderful morning in the Blue Moutains!
Review provided by Viator
Demdogz
Jun 9, 2020
Best money I've ever spent! - This workshop was absolutely the best money I have ever spent! Sonja was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, and her passion and love for opals and precious stones is contagious! I left with three beautiful opals, (one of which is apparently worth around $500!). I will definitely be sending one of them back to Sonja to have a ring made. She has two beautiful dogs and two cats, so her place is heaven for animal lovers! I will most definitely be doing the workshop again with friends in tow! Thanks again Sonja!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chlaris
Oct 14, 2019
Super fun - My partner and I had way more fun than we expected and learnt so much about opals. The opals we polished were so beautiful and we would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a relaxing and informative activity in the blue mountains. Thank you!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor