(623) 518-6588
THE HILEMAN COLLECTION
"Quality Jewelry Since 1974"
OPAL INLAY RINGS
AUSTRALIAN OPAL RINGS BY THE HILEMAN COLLECTION
Australian opal inlay rings are our specialty at The Hileman Collection. We create our stunning opal rings using only the finest Australian opal and superb craftsmanship. Every inlay ring we create is handcrafted by Mark and John Hileman in our Phoenix, Arizona jewelry studio. We offer a wide selection of Australian opal ring designs including opal wedding rings and engagement rings as well as cocktail rings and statement pieces in a variety of opal color options. If you don't see the exact opal ring design you are looking for, talk to us about creating a custom opal ring just for you. We also have many opal earring, pendant, bracelet and necklace designs to match your new ring if you want a matching set. See all of our Australian opal inlay jewelry at TheHilemanCollection.com.
ABOUT AUSTRALIAN OPAL
"The Queen of Gems"
Opal is often referred to as the "queen of gems" because unlike other gemstones, an outstanding opal can flash all the colors of the rainbow. An opal's play of color is fascinating to watch as the colors dance and shift while rotating the stone. This play of color is opal's signature characteristic and helps to make every opal a unique work of art and every opal ring a virtual one of a kind. Opal is the only gemstone known to man to have the natural ability to diffract light. As light enters an opal the light is split by millions of tiny silica spheres and voids. The arrangement and size of the spheres determines what colors the opal will fire or flash.
Opal is formed when water saturated with silica fills the cracks and seams in a host rock. The solution slowly turns into a gel and after thousands of years of gradual water loss, an opal is formed. It is estimated to take 5 million years to form a layer of opal one centimeter thick. Because of the unique conditions under which opal forms it is nearly impossible to find two pieces of opal exactly the same. Every slice of the saw blade reveals slight changes in color, fire, and pattern of the opal and makes every section of inlay in your opal ring truly unique.
Opal of differing qualities occurs in more than twenty countries worldwide, including Zambia, Peru, Canada, New Zealand, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Poland Indonesia, the United States, Brazil, and Mexico. Australia accounts for 96% of all commercial opal and is the top source for precious opal like that used in top quality opal inlay rings. Australian opal is mined in many locations throughout New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia with the main areas of production being Mintabie, Lightning Ridge, Coober Pedy, Andamooka and Queensland. Opal mining in Australia has been in decline in recent years making it difficult to obtain top quality opal at any price. With quality Australian opal becoming increasingly rare, your Australian opal ring is sure to become an even more treasured heirloom.
WHO WE ARE
The Hileman Collection - Mark & John Hileman
Mark Hileman started inlaying Australian opal in his opal jewelry in the early 1980's and was a pioneer of opal inlay jewelry in the US. Combining outstanding Australian opal with other colorful gemstones gives Hileman inlay rings and jewelry a uniquely bold and colorful look. Hileman opal inlay rings are easily recognized by their impeccable craftsmanship, precisely fit inlay and, of course, the incredible Australian opal. You will often find the opal in our rings, engagement rings and wedding rings accented by gemstones such as diamonds, Moissanite, sapphires, rubies and topaz set in 14 karat gold and platinum. Each piece of Hileman opal jewelry is handcrafted by the father and son team of Mark and John Hileman in our Arizona jewelry studio. The Hileman Collection's opal jewelry and inlay rings have been shown in Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom and are currently available in upscale jewelry stores and galleries across the US as well as on our jewelry websites.