about the opal academy

Anthony Smallwood, was teaching at the Gemmological Association NSW branch when the question was raised ‘Who will replace the current Gem2 lecturer upon his retirement?’. Initially putting his hand up to know more about the position, Tony was inadvertently suggested as the new lecturer.

Taking on his new role, Anthony felt he needed to find his ‘own’ gemstone to lecture on. Assessing the available stones; Diamonds were taken by Bill Sechos, Ruby and Sapphire were covered by Terry Coldham. This left the Opal for Anthony to admire.

His previous employment as a jewellery valuer provided Anthony with a great network of Opal industry personalities, namely Greg & Peter Sherman. A stint as the CEO of the NSW Jewellery valuers gave him experience in running meetings within the community. Then in 1989 the GAA decided it would be a good idea to offer a short course in Opal education. And who better to prepare the course work, than Anthony Smallwood.

After obtaining Fellowship of the Gemmological Association of Australia in 1980 and commencement of teaching gemmology for the NSW branch, further gemmological education was undertaken with the result of the Graduate Gemmologist diploma gained form the Gemmological Institute of America in 1983.

The result has been the development, production and implementation of the only educational course available world wide in the instruction of Opal gemmology, terminology and information. Not withstanding the assistance given for the accreditation and implementation process of the opal cutting courses available through Tafe SA at the Coober Pedy Campus.

The interest in opal has seen the completion of a Masters Science degree in materials Science at the University of Technology in Sydney in 2000, and subsequently further research achieving the publication of several scientific papers in internationally refereed journals, and several material science conferences and presentation of papers at five national opal symposia, most recently in Winton QLD in 2016. More recent research has involved time spent on Neutron Scattering in opals at the Lucas Heights installation of ANSTO, and the Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne.

The academic interest in providing information, training and lecturing to the jewellery industry has seen continuous employment for lectures with the Gemmological Association and until recently the National Council of Jewellery valuers mostly in NSW however also participating with lectures in every state of Australia.