Investment opals

Opals are unique to Australia 99% of opals originate from Australia . There are three main fields
Queensland opals
White opals from South Australia
Black opals from Lightning Ridge

Black opals are the rarest and are considered best investment opal. Not all black opals increase greatly in price Red Fire opals are best investment Followed by orange, green, blue colours. Red opals are less than 1% of all opals mined and it is the precious red opal on black potch, which is natural formed with the opal that is best investment. Over the last 5 years black opal has increased by 20-30% PER ANNUM.
Yes that's per annum, and we are discussing wholesale prices With new opal mining laws now in place and with added fuel costs less opal is now mined and therefore less black opal with red fire will be found. Therefore supply and demand opals prices will increase. Opal collectors now place orders for red fire opals so when they are mined they are sold immediately. Collectors realize value of these investment opals .
Red fire opals we sold for $1,000 per carats 5 years ago are now snapped up at $2,500 to $3,000 per carat. Examples of new costs for the opal mining industry To make an open cut mine you now have to lodge $250,000 with mines department as security so that you will fill the hole in after you have finished mining and revegetate the area. There is now safety courses and mining courses you have to do to become licensed just to have claim and electrical inspections etc,,so many extra costs compared to 5 years ago and fuel has doubled in price so expensive to operate big machinery.
All these extra cost mean that opal, a rare gemstone is going to get more expensive to find and can only increase in value. Consider purchasing an opal for your superannuation fund. I have several red fire gems in my collection and not only great increase per annum but also the pleasure to hold and enjoy this precious opal.

Wayne Sedawie