Jeweler Invites Public to Explore Colorful Opals

Residents can learn about some of the world's most beautiful and romantic gems while raising money for charity, complements of Devon Fine Jewelry.

The Franklin Avenue shop invites shoppers to an "Opal Extravaganza," running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday to Saturday. The event will spotlight a selection of opals from around the world while holding a raffle for a necklace whose proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association and the Devon Foundation.

Additionally, the store will welcome a gem expert, Jim Fiebig, who will lead an "Opal Geminar" from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday that will provide information on the colorful gems.

"Opals are incredibly beautiful and dramatic gemstones," said Nancy Schuring, owner of Devon Fine Jewelry. "We're going to give people a chance to see opals not just from Australia,  but from the new fields that have recently opened up in Ethiopia, and even from the United States," she said.

The extravaganza includes an exhibit that will include gem specimens from around the world, gem-cutting equipment and opals in the process of being worked. A selection of jewelry from Parle Gems will be included. 

Devon also will raffle an opal necklace from Parle that is worth $700, with proceeds going to the aforementioned charities.

The Devon Foundation raises money to provide a way for residents of Madagascar to take advantage of their natural resources. Money raised by the foundation pays for schlarships for those residents interested in attending the Institute of Gemology of Madagascar.

Schuring has noted that there is "not a lot of education for their resources" in an "incredibly gem-rich country.

"Our goal is to help people in nations with mineral resources take greater advantage of the gems they find," Schuring has said.

The foundation's mission earned the owner an award this summer from Jewelers That Care, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting development projects in rural African villages.

The Opal Extravaganza is only the latest event to aid the foundation. Proceeds from a "Gemboree" initiative in the spring raised money for the cause.

For more information, call Devon Fine Jewelry at 201-848-8489.