Welcome to the Queensland Boulder Opal Association website.
The Queensland Boulder Opal Association Incorporated (QBOA) plays a crucial role in representing opal miners and industry members. By providing a unified voice, the QBOA can advocate for the interests of its members and promote the sustainable growth of the opal mining industry. This collective effort helps to address common challenges, share knowledge, and work towards a more prosperous future for all involved in the opal industry.
Queen of Gems Jewellery Design Awards
The Queen of Gems Design Awards held its inaugural ceremony in 2006 as an initiative of Winton local business owner Mary Pearce. Entrants from across Australia showcase the Queensland boulder opal in all its splendour and the creativity of their design and manufacture. Since then, the annual competition has increased to receive entries from Australia-wide and internationally. New categories have been included, such as Wearable fashion, Objects & Art, and the new jewellery designers using CAD/CAST/CAM.
Everyone is welcome to enter, from beginners to professionals.
- Queen of Gems Award Winners 2025
THIS YEAR’S ENTRIES IN THE “QUEEN OF GEMS” JEWELLERY DESIGN AWARDS ARE ON DISPLAY AT THE WALTZING MATILDA CENTRE ART GALLERY.
Opal is Australia’s National Gemstone
The Queensland Boulder Opal Association Inc. (QBOA) is an industry body that represents Opal Miners and QBOA’s members.
The Winton Opal Festival 2026
showcasing our fabulous Boulder opal.
Elderslie Street, the business centre of Winton, will be closed to all traffic during the 2-day event.
Friday 10th & Saturday 11th July @ Elderslie Street
ABOUT US
The Queensland Opal Association’s (QBOA) function is to ensure that legislative and regulatory bodies controlling the industry have appropriate policies that are suitable to the needs of the industry and the promotion of this rare, unique product, Queensland’s Boulder Opal.
Thankyou to our sponsors for their generous support.
