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About Opal Hub
Your trusted source for genuine Black Opal, from the heart of Lightning Ridge to you.
Meet Anton
Anton Stavreas discovered opals the way many people do - he saw one and couldn’t walk away. That first stone became a christening gift for his goddaughter, something she could carry forever.
That curiosity quickly became a passion, and a passion became a lifelong pursuit. When Anton encountered Lightning Ridge Black Opal for the first time, the depth of colour on a black base changed everything - an opal that remains vivid in his mind.
Over time, Anton developed a deep understanding of the material. Every opal tells a story, and learning to read them reveals a lifetime of discovery and appreciation.
Today, Anton runs Opal Hub Australia with a simple belief: exceptional Lightning Ridge opal deserves to be understood, appreciated and shared. Each stone is personally selected, honestly presented and chosen for the qualities that make it truly unforgettable.
Authentic. Rare. Unforgettable.
Supporting the Lightning Ridge Community
Lightning Ridge is more than an opal field. It is a unique outback community shaped by generations of miners, families, and visitors drawn to the region by the pursuit of black opal.
As part of this community, Opal Hub Australia supports local events and initiatives that celebrate the culture and character of Lightning Ridge.
This includes sponsorship and involvement in events such as:
• Lightning Ridge Easter Festival
• Lightning Ridge Bull & Bronc Ride
• The Potch Queen competition
These events reflect the spirit of the Ridge and help keep its traditions, history, and community strong.
Photography credit | Gavin Little
A New Generation of Opal Specialists
We select our opals firsthand from Lightning Ridge for collectors, jewellers and those seeking something truly meaningful. With experience, knowledge and complete transparency, we help you understand opal and choose with confidence - whether building a collection, creating exceptional jewellery, or finding a stone to be treasured for generations.
Body tone scale
The Body Tone Scale measures the lightness or darkness of an opal’s background, ranging from white to black. To use it, place your opal face-up on the chart and slide it along until its tone matches one of the reference samples, helping you accurately determine its body tone grade.
The Body Tone Scale measures the lightness or darkness of an opal’s background, ranging from white to black. To use it, place your opal face-up on the chart and slide it along until its tone matches one of the reference samples, helping you accurately determine its body tone grade.
Brightness scale
The Brightness Scale measures the intensity and vibrancy of an opal’s play of colour, indicating how strongly the colours appear under light. To use the scale, place your opal face-up on the chart and move it along until its brightness most closely matches one of the reference levels. This helps you accurately assess the opal’s overall brilliance and visual impact.
The Brightness Scale measures the intensity and vibrancy of an opal’s play of colour, indicating how strongly the colours appear under light. To use the scale, place your opal face-up on the chart and move it along until its brightness most closely matches one of the reference levels. This helps you accurately assess the opal’s overall brilliance and visual impact.
B5
Vivid
B4
Very Bright
B3
Bright
B2
Moderately Bright
B1
Subdued
Please note:
This Body Tone and Brightness Scale is intended as a general reference only. Any decisions made using this guide are at the user's discretion and no liability is assumed. For most accurate results, laser print this guide on Artboard 350gsm paper stock or similar.
Want to chat with our team?
Whether you have a question about a stone, an auction, or just want to know more about what we do, we'd love to hear from you.
