Opal By Mario’s Director, Mario Ikasovic, has specialised in Australian opal for over 40 years and carries out all his own cutting from his Sydney-based workshop. Mario attends the key trade jewellery shows in Hong Kong and Tucson, in the US, where he sells to a diverse spectrum of dealers, retailers, jewellers and collectors. He is very familiar with Australia’s key opal mining regions having been based in Lightning Ridge and Coober Pedy. Chasing colour at his cutting wheel and the complex valuing process of opal are highlights of his work day. His inventory comprises an extensive range of all types of solid black, boulder and crystal opal, which he sources both from miners and dealers.