Joanne and Kevin Dowdy have been making opal jewelry since 1983. They became infatuated with opals when they were introduced to them in Australia. They were so enthusiastic that they bought an interest in a boulder opal mine in Queensland. The mine in the tiny outback town of Quilpie is so uninhabitable that the miners live underground because of the severe heat. Kevin spends about three months a year mining opals and brings them back to Tucson where he an Joanne create their magnificent jewelry. The opals were formed millions of years ago when liquid silica filled the voids in ironstone boulders. The opals are cut with the stone from the boulder. The stone gives the opal strength, and also adds to the deep color from the minerals that are present.
In more recent years the Dowdys have begun using Ethiopian opals. The Ethiopian opals are amazingly vibrant and colorful. Truthfully there is no comparison between the boulder opals and the Ethiopian.
The Dowdys use 22kt gold for the settings and 14k for the posts, fittings, and shanks. There workmanship is impecable. All the gold work is smooth and flawless, and their choice and cutting of the opals is top notch. If you, or someone you know is an opal lover Dowdy opals is a no brainer.
Dowdy Opal Jewelry is available at Adamm's Stained Glass & Gallery Santa Monica, CA 90401 adammsgqallery.com
