A SPECIAL EXHIBITION CELEBRATING BLACK OPALS

Following our recent exhibition of fine, rare, Australian black oplas, we are pleased to announce that we are currently the sole distributor in the UK for "Leisha Designs".
September 2012 will see the second exhibition return to 37 High Street, Royal Tunbridge Wells. From Tuesday 25th to Saturday 29th September we will be showcasing some of the finest black opals in England. The collection comes from a mine at Lightning Ridge, NSW, in Australia, the famed home of some of the world’s most notable specimens of opal. John Wheeler, the mine’s owner and Leisha his wife, the acclaimed jewellery designer who specialises in bespoke designs for black opal jewellery, will both be at Payne & Son in Tunbridge Wells during the week of the exhibition.

Two of the most prized specimens on display are
“The Tree of Life”, a 295 carat black opal..

“The Tempest”, which weighs in at 519 carats and is the largest carved black opal crystal ever to come to the United Kingdom!

We always love being in England to see old friends and make new acquaintances. We just love our opals and showing them to anyone who is interested in such fabulous natural gemstones.” Say John and Leisha Wheeler.
We were very pleased when John Wheeler asked us to provide the venue to showcase such lovely gems in Kent & Sussex. “It really is a one off opportunity to see museum quality specimens and to handle such beautiful gem stones" says Mr Payne. “Visitors will be able to dream up their own designs and meet the people who are able to make them come to life. Wi th examples ranging from just fifty pounds to fifty thousand pounds there is something for everyone who appreciates rare gems including black, white and boulder opals.”
The first opals were found in Lightning Ridge in 1887. The area is so called because of its vast iron ore deposits which act as a magnet to thunderbolts during stormy weather. John Wheeler’s story as a prospector really took off when he found the richest seam of Black Opal ever found in Lightning Ridge. The stones display a deep and intense array of vibrant colours. If you bring your own opals with you when you visit, John will tell you more about your stones and maybe even the mining district where they were found!
Opals have their own place in the history of England with Queen Victoria making them popular by wearing them and giving them as presents to her children to boost the mining industry in her new colony. Indeed Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was herself presented with a black opal necklace on her wedding day by the people of Queensland, Australia.
Furthermore, opal is the birthstone for October! Good luck is thought to be assured to all those giving and receiving black opals and who couldn’t benefit from a bit of luck?
Leisha Wheeler’s collection of jewellery is all designed by Leisha herself, hand made in 18ct and 14ct yellow or white gold in Australia and then hallmarked in Edinburgh with Leisha’s own hallmark. As Leisha says, “If you hold a piece of my jewellery in your hand, you are holding a piece of Australia!”
Next years exhibition will run from Tuesday 25th to Saturday 29th September 2012.
Opening hours daily are from 1 0am to 5pm, closing for lunch 1pm to 2pm.

Reaching Us
Payne & Son (Silversmiths) Limited
Clock House, 37 High Street
Royal Tunbridge Wells,
Kent,
TN1 1XL
U.K.

Tel: +44 (0) 1892 525874
Fax: +44 (0) 1892 535447
Email: jewellers@payneandson.com

Jewellery Repairs & Valuation in Kent and the UK.