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Columbia Gem House To Debut Lightning Ridge Opal Collection
The wholesaler is partnering with Australian brand Cheal Opal on a new offering of calibrated stones.
Columbia Gem House will debut calibrated opals created in collaboration with Cheal Opal at AGTA GemFair Tucson, slated for Feb. 3-9 at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona.
Vancouver, Wash.—Wholesale gemstone supplier Columbia Gem House has announced a new collection of calibrated Lightning Ridge opals created in collaboration with Australian brand Cheal Opal.
Columbia Gem House has, for decades, offered a selection of innovative gemstones, and with this new partnership, it seeks to showcase the unique beauty of opals.
Cheal Opal mines fine opal in Lightning Ridge, a historic Outback opal mining town in New South Wales, Australia, and the company has been featured on Discovery Channel’s popular "Outback Opal Hunters" series.
This new collaborative line of opals will be produced to support designers who require material in volume without compromising the companies’ dedication to responsible sourcing and production, they said.
The stones will be offered in a variety of sizes and shapes, with the line set to debut next month at AGTA GemFair Tucson, which will take place Feb. 3-9 at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona.
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Columbia Gem House has, for decades, offered a selection of innovative gemstones, and with this new partnership, it seeks to showcase the unique beauty of opals.
Cheal Opal mines fine opal in Lightning Ridge, a historic Outback opal mining town in New South Wales, Australia, and the company has been featured on Discovery Channel’s popular "Outback Opal Hunters" series.
This new collaborative line of opals will be produced to support designers who require material in volume without compromising the companies’ dedication to responsible sourcing and production, they said.
The stones will be offered in a variety of sizes and shapes, with the line set to debut next month at AGTA GemFair Tucson, which will take place Feb. 3-9 at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona.
Both companies are family-run, multigenerational businesses with a commitment to ethical practices and creating gemstones that tell a story.
Eric Braunwart, founder and president of Columbia Gem House, said the wholesaler is thrilled to partner with Cheal Opal, a brand it has “great respect for, both in terms of their artistry and shared values.”
“Columbia Gem House and Cheal Opal both have rich family histories, and this collaboration represents the perfect synergy,” Braunwart said.
“With over forty years of experience in responsible sourcing and cutting colored gemstones, our expertise aligns seamlessly with Cheal Opal’s mining heritage and craftsmanship. We’re excited to offer a product that combines exceptional quality with responsible production."
Cheal Opal’s Managing Director Oscar Cheal added, "This partnership with Columbia Gem House feels like a natural extension of our vision."
“Both of our families have been dedicated to preserving the legacy of gemstones that tell a story, and now we have the opportunity to create something truly special together. The calibrated Lightning Ridge opals we will feature in this collection are a testament to the unique beauty of the region, and our shared commitment to sustainability ensures that every piece we produce upholds the highest standards."
The collection will be available through Columbia Gem House for distribution in the U.S. and Cheal Opal for Australian distribution. International customers may purchase through either brand.
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