Down to Earth Opals
Down to Earth Opals
5
Speciality & Gift ShopsPaint & Pottery StudiosLessons & Workshops
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Come and visit the most amazing opal shop in the universe! Stunning opal experience with a bespoke floor never seen before reproducing the cracked earth of the puddling dams where opal dirt is washed and our gems are found. Hundreds of loose opals and jewellery items on display with one of the largest collection of carved precious opal anywhere. Triplet and doublet opal jewellery available along with one-of-a-kind hand made solid opal jewellery pieces in solid gold and sterling silver. Complemented by an array of opal related products and gifts to suit everyone. FREE public cutting and polishing demonstrations in our state of the art workshop every Wednesday and Friday from 3:30pm (mid March till mid October). No booking required, just turn up and claim a spot - we rotate groups approx at 20 minute intervals. If you have some opal specimens that you found while fossicking, bring them along and if time permits, we will polish one or two for you. Fully air conditioned all year around!
Duration: < 1 hour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
40 reviews
Excellent
40
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
mthomas16
Kitchener, Ontario318 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
After reading several reviews on opal stores in Lightning Ridge, my wife and I went into Down to Earth. The staff was very friendly, educated us on the different opal jewelry types, and showed us where each type was located in the store. Also very helpful showing us different options when we had something in mind, but also let us browse when we wanted with zero pressure to purchase. Was an enjoyable experience and would go back again.
Written November 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt H
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
Both Lou (hope I’m spelling it correctly) and Brett just made our two days in Lightning Ridge! Our two families, 4 adults n 5 kids, visited the store on our first morning. We were met by Lou who welcomed us all including the five kids! She engaged with the kids and inspired them so much, gave heaps of tips and said we must come back to show her what we found and would also introduce us to Brett who cuts and polishes the opals. That afternoon the kids couldn’t wait to go and show Lou their finds! On our last afternoon the kids wanted to show Lou and Brett their finds again for that day. Brett took us all out the back to show us about the cutting process and gave a bit of a rub to some of the kids opals. Our deepest Thank You to all the team at Down to Earth Opals! Beautiful store with stunning opals for every budget!
Highly Recommended!
Highly Recommended!
Written September 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow! Lou and Brett are stoked with your comments and they both remember you folks well. Really appreciate your very kind words. Hope to see you again sometime.
Written September 26, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sue W
2 contributions
Jun 2021
Whilst in Lightning Ridge recently, we visited Down to Earth Opals on a number of occasions. The staff were so knowledgeable and explained to us the difference between opals and what we should look for. They did not pressure us to buy, even though they knew we were interested. We felt very comfortable and consequently on our fourth visit we purchased the most beautiful carved Opal pendant. We would like to thank those staff for their patience!
This modern shop is beautifully presented with the most unusual flooring. It is a pleasure to have been there and we hope to be back.
Sue and Tony Webster
This modern shop is beautifully presented with the most unusual flooring. It is a pleasure to have been there and we hope to be back.
Sue and Tony Webster
Written July 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Sue and Tony
So sorry for the late reply. We do hope to see you again soon. Trust you are enjoying your opal jewellery.
When you were here if we did not have the time or opportunity to take you into our workroom please do not hesitate to ask on your next visit. That is where the rough opal is expertly cut or carved into the beautiful stones that you see in our showroom. We are always happy to demonstrate the process if time permits.
As you saw, our one-of-a-kind commercial vinyl floor exhibits the photographic image of one of the opal washing/puddling dams where opal dirt is broken down into a clay slurry that then settles in a vast open dam. As the moisture evaporates, the clay cracks into spectacular patterns and colours. The dams are places that are off limits to visitors so this is a rare opportunity to enjoy the magic.
Cheers Andrew and Brett (cutters); Vicki (rock-boss); Sue, Kristi and Lisa (no pressure customer service).
Written April 28, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
andrewd6800
51 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Down to Earth Opals is one of those shops you walk into and it takes your breath away. An amazing array of beautifully presented opals of all shapes and sizes. Sue was friendly and thoughtful in helping us pick out an opal and Andrew and Vicki the owners were super friendly and gave freely of their time on a rainy Sunday to explain everything about the history of opals in Lighting Ridge and how they are formed. Thanks Andrew for the impromptu cutting demonstration! It’s clear the DTEO team are super passionate about opals and sharing that passion with visitors. Absolutely a must visit when you come to Lightning Ridge.
Written April 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks guys for your kind comments. It was a fun afternoon and lucky to be out of the rain, wind and thunderstorms happening around us. Hope to see you again.
Written April 9, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Margaret B
Queensland, Australia613 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
It was a pleasure to walk into this spacious, well presented and well designed shop to view the amazing range of beautiful opal jewellery. My special thanks to Brett for our discussions on opals and his explanation of solid, doublet triplet, and some beautiful pieces of boulder opal. There is also a range of unique jewellery apart from the opals and this is well worth a look. I was very happy with my purchase from this collection. All staff are very knowledgeable and friendly and only too happy to assist or explain the process of how opals are mined. Make Down to Earth Opals your first stop shop!!
Written May 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Margaret for the kind words. Brett is an accomplished opal cutter and opal carver and we are thrilled to have him in our family business. We continue to innovate and strive for perfection in everything we do.
Written July 4, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mudbrays
Mudgee, Australia19 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
The opal shop, including the amazing floor, is absolutely stunning. The opals & their settings are truly beautiful. Vicki is such a talented designer. We were fortunate to be part of an opal cutting demonstration by Andrew. A very interesting demonstration. Apart from opals there are other goodies to be purchased including art works & products from Utopia.
We always love visiting Down to Earth Opals when we are in Lightning Ridge.
We always love visiting Down to Earth Opals when we are in Lightning Ridge.
Written June 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your kind words. We aim to please in all respects. See you next time.
Written July 4, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sarah L
3 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
Our first trip to Lightning Ridge to try our luck specking at Grawin. My two girls were lucky enough to find some small pieces of opal on the Saturday of the June long weekend. So on Sunday we set out to hopefully have them cut and polished and we found the friendliest and most welcoming people here. Andrew cut and polished the little pieces of opal to perfection, showing them both the process and making them feel like royalty. A day they will never forget. Thank you for everything. While we waited we looked through their beautiful shop. I can't recommend them highly enough.
Written July 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your comments about us. There has been some amazing material found on the Grawin mullock dumps in recent weeks, with visitors bringing back their "treasure" to show us. Andrew loves to cut them to bring out the best and Vicki is the expert as far as value is concerned. Hope to see you again sometime.
Written July 12, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Krys
1 contribution
Aug 2020 • Solo
When you're visiting Lightning Ridge I would recommend that you visit Down To Earth Opals as the opals and Jewellery within this store are always extremely beautiful and the colours of them are magnificent. Extremely helpful staff. Thank you to both Vicky and Andrew who helped me a lot.
Written August 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our pleasure. Always happy to answer whatever questions come our way.
Written August 30, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Maria P
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
Can't thank the team at Down To Earth Opals enough for their friendly excellent service, professionalism and knowledge of opals. We were there a few months ago during the October long weekend and happened to turn up to their free demonstration with our opal. Through consultation they polished, designed and created my pendant. This was sent to me in Sydney by mail. When I opened my package WOW my silver opal pendant set looked amazing!!!
Written December 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
charlene_veverka
Wilton, Australia361 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Beautiful opal store located on main street of LR.
Staff are knowledgeable and friendly and allow you to properly inspect their opals and try on rings/necklaces. Whilst we didn't get a chance to make a purchase on our recent trip, I will definitely be buying something from DTEO on our next visit.
Staff are knowledgeable and friendly and allow you to properly inspect their opals and try on rings/necklaces. Whilst we didn't get a chance to make a purchase on our recent trip, I will definitely be buying something from DTEO on our next visit.
Written May 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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