Adelaide & Strathalbyn Studios

Opal Engagement Rings Adelaide

Custom opal engagement rings, designed with you and handcrafted in our South Australian workshop. Every opal is hand-selected by gemmologist Sonya Lorenz and set by master goldsmith Maurice Lorenz. Consultations at our Adelaide CBD and Strathalbyn studios, with online consultations also available.

Book an Opal Consultation Call 08 8536 3653

Australia's National Gemstone

Why Choose an Opal Engagement Ring?

An opal engagement ring is as individual as the person who wears it. Opal's play-of-colour comes from tiny silica spheres, arranged in an orderly pattern inside the stone, that split light into flashes of colour. Every opal shows a pattern all of its own that shifts as your hand moves.

Opal is Australia's national gemstone and an October birthstone, which makes it a meaningful choice for couples who want their ring to tell a story. We design each opal engagement ring around its stone, in a setting that keeps the opal secure for everyday wear. You can read more about the stone in our article on the allure of opal.

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Gemmologist-Selected Opals

How Sonya Selects Every Opal

Every opal we set is hand-selected by Sonya Lorenz, an FGAA gemmologist. She looks at each stone for its colour play, stability and character, so your opal looks beautiful on the day you propose and is chosen to wear well in a ring worn every day. At your consultation she'll show you opals side by side and talk you through body tone, pattern and the setting that suits each stone best.

You can also browse our loose opals before you visit. Looking for an opal ring in Adelaide to wear every day? Our ready-to-wear opal rings are each one of a kind and handcrafted in South Australia.

Every opal we set in an engagement ring is personally chosen by Sonya Lorenz for its colour, stability and character.

Our Process

01

Consultation

We start with a private consultation at our Adelaide CBD or Strathalbyn studio. We'll talk about your style, your everyday life and the opal engagement ring you have in mind.

02

Opal Selection

Sonya presents a selection of opals chosen for their colour play, stability and character. Together, we compare their colours and patterns to help you choose the stone that feels like yours.

03

Setting & Design

Once your opal has been chosen, we design a setting that shows it at its best and suits the way you'll wear it. A full bezel or a halo frames and protects the opal for everyday wear. We refine the details with you, which can include hand sketches and design concepts, until the ring feels right.

04

Handcrafting

Maurice handcrafts your ring in our South Australian workshop, using the traditional goldsmithing skills he's practised since he began his apprenticeship in 1981. He sets your opal and finishes the ring by hand.

05

Presentation

We present your finished opal engagement ring to you, ready for the moment you've been planning. From first sketch to finished ring, every opal engagement ring we make is as individual as the opal at its centre.

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Oval Opal & Diamond Halo Ring

An oval opal held in a smooth bezel and framed by a halo of round diamonds, with diamonds continuing along the shoulders of the band.

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Pear Cut Opal Halo Ring

A teardrop opal in a full bezel, surrounded by a beaded halo and finished with a beaded, milgrain-edged band.

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Custom Opal Ring in Silver

An oval opal in a full bezel with a beaded milgrain border, flanked by stepped Art Deco shoulders with textured detail, in silver.

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Opal & Diamond Ring in Gold

A beautiful oval cabochon-cut opal, secured in a classic four-claw setting, takes centre stage in this elegant design. A cluster of three sparkling round brilliant-cut diamonds on each side complements the opal’s captivating play of colour. Set on a polished gold band, this timeless design celebrates the natural beauty of opal.

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Opal & Diamond Tiara Ring Set

An oval opal with a smaller round opal on each side, framed by a crown of marquise and round diamonds above and a curve of round diamonds below. Diamond-set bands stack alongside as a matching set.

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Opal & Aquamarine Ring

A captivating triangular cabochon-cut opal displaying iridescent colour, complemented by sparkling blue aquamarines. Flowing curves of polished white gold create a contemporary design celebrating the natural beauty of these gemstones.

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Black Opal

Considered the rarest and most valuable variety of precious opal, Black Opal is prized for its remarkable depth of colour and captivating play-of-colour. Its dark grey to black body tone (N1–N4) provides a striking contrast, allowing vibrant flashes of blue, green, red and orange to come alive. Sourced predominantly from Lightning Ridge in New South Wales, Australian Black Opal makes an extraordinary centrepiece for a bespoke engagement ring, offering a truly individual expression of beauty and rarity.

Crystal Opal

Prized for its exceptional transparency and luminous play-of-colour, Crystal Opal allows light to penetrate deep within the gemstone, revealing brilliant flashes of colour and remarkable visual depth. Ranging from semi-transparent to transparent, these captivating Australian opals are found in renowned opal fields including Lightning Ridge in New South Wales and Coober Pedy in South Australia. Their radiant beauty and individuality make Crystal Opal a distinctive choice for a bespoke engagement ring.

White Opal

Celebrated for its delicate beauty and enchanting play-of-colour, White Opal features a soft white, pale grey or milky body tone (N7–N9). Its luminous appearance provides a beautiful backdrop for subtle pastel hues and vibrant flashes of colour. Sourced from renowned Australian opal fields, particularly Coober Pedy in South Australia, White Opal offers a timeless elegance and individuality, making it a beautiful choice for a bespoke engagement ring.

Our Family Story

A Family Tradition of Craftsmanship

At Metal & Stone Jewellers, every opal engagement ring brings together generations of jewellery-making knowledge and professional gemstone expertise. Husband-and-wife team Maurice and Sonya Lorenz work together from opal selection through to the finished ring.

Maurice began his goldsmithing apprenticeship in 1981 under his father, Manfred Lorenz, a master goldsmith whose career began in Berlin and spanned 67 years. He later refined his diamond setting in Antwerp under master diamond setter Alexandre Sidorov. He's a Full Member of the Gold & Silversmiths Guild of Australia.

Alongside Maurice, Sonya is an FGAA gemmologist who personally selects and assesses every opal we set, so each ring begins with a stone chosen for its beauty and stability.

Is opal a good choice for an engagement ring?

Yes, with the right setting and a little care. Opal sits at 5 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, softer than diamond and most other engagement ring stones, so we design every opal engagement ring around the stone. A protective bezel or halo setting keeps the opal secure for everyday wear. Sonya selects each opal for its stability as well as its colour. A solid opal of good thickness in a protective setting makes a beautiful ring to wear every day.

Which setting is best for an opal engagement ring?

A full bezel, where a smooth rim of metal surrounds the opal, is a highly protective, low-maintenance choice for daily wear. A halo of diamonds or beaded metal adds an extra frame around the stone. Claw settings show more of the opal's sides and suit a ring that's worn with a little extra care. Sonya will recommend the setting that suits your opal and the way you live.

What's the difference between a solid opal and an opal doublet?

A solid opal is a single piece of natural opal with nothing added. A doublet is a slice of opal fixed to a dark backing, which deepens its colour and offers the beauty of opal at a more accessible price. For an engagement ring worn every day we recommend solid opal. Sonya will show you a selection at your consultation.

How do I care for an opal engagement ring?

Clean a solid opal ring with warm, mild soapy water and a soft cloth, then dry it gently. Gentle hand cleaning suits every opal, in place of ultrasonic or steam cleaners. Opal naturally holds a little water within its structure, so it's happiest kept away from high heat, sudden changes in temperature and harsh chemicals.

How much does an opal engagement ring cost?

Every opal engagement ring we make is individually quoted. The price reflects the opal you choose (its type, size, colour and pattern), the complexity of the design and the metal you select. Share your budget at your consultation and Sonya will show you solid opals that suit it.

Can I choose my own opal or use an opal I already have?

Yes. Sonya presents a selection of opals for you to view and compare. You're welcome to browse our loose opals online before your visit. If you already have an opal, perhaps a family stone, bring it to your consultation. Heirloom redesigns are part of our work. Sonya will examine the stone with you and talk through the best way to set it.

Can an opal engagement ring include diamonds?

Yes. Diamonds make a beautiful frame for opal, whether as a halo around the centre stone or as side stones along the band. A halo also forms a protective border around the opal. Maurice developed his diamond setting skills in Antwerp under master diamond setter Alexandre Sidorov. He brings that expertise to every diamond we set around an opal.

Do you offer opal engagement ring consultations in Adelaide?

Yes. We welcome private consultations by appointment at our Adelaide CBD studio (Suite 403, Level 4, 38 Gawler Place) and our Strathalbyn workshop and studio (Shop 5/18 Albyn Terrace). Online consultations are also available. Consultations usually take 45 to 60 minutes, with time to view opals side by side and talk through settings for your ring.