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 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.
The Latest

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.


The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.