The Queen of Gems International Boulder Opal Jewellery Design Awards calls upon jewellers to create original pieces using boulder opal as a focal point. The awards are held in conjunction with the annual Winton Opal Tradeshow, which took place from Friday 12 to Saturday 13 July.
Titled, “Age of Dinosaurs,” the winning piece was created by Japanese jeweller Ayano Nakajima and features diamonds, rubies and, of course, boulder opal.
Nakajima said the inspiration for the necklace came after finding a rough boulder opal that contained the silhouette of a dinosaur. She then set about creating a “scenic story of the Age of the Dinosaurs.”
“The fire-spouting volcano and its flow of lava is represented by black diamonds and the trembling rubies, while the attached dinosaur, movable by a spring, is walking through the lush growth of prehistoric (fernlike) pteridophytes, created with green garnets,” she stated.
Nakajima is not new to the awards competition, having taken out the top prize in 2011 for her piece titled “Monument Valley”.
The Winton area is known for its rich supply of boulder opal as well as a number of dinosaur fossils.
The gemstone is also found in central and southwest Queensland, including areas such as Opalton, Quilpie and Yowah.
The full list of 2013 award-winners:Apprentice/student jewellery piece – Adriana Daleris, “Chaos”
Novice/non professional jewellery piece – Carmen Nelsen, “Perseverance”
Student/novice jewellery design drawing – Amy Robson, “Perfectly Imperfect”
People's Choice – Amy Robson for drawings and a Linda George jewellery piece
WINNING PIECE CLOSE UP