Lightning Ridge in New South Wales and Coober Pedy in South Australia produce most of the world's opal: Lightning Ridge holding the rarer black variety, Coober Pedy supplying the more commercial white and crystal opals.
Skilled Craftsmanship
Testing a snap bar clasp by hand reveals its manufacturing standard immediately: a well-toleranced clasp clicks audibly and crisply on seating, requires consistent fingertip pressure to release, and holds the bar without any side-to-side movement when fully locked. Soft clicks, variable release force, and lateral bar movement are the tactile indicators of insufficient machining precision.
Value & Quality
Most brands accumulate mission statements over time. Ross-Simons started with one and kept it: fine jewelry should be beautiful, well-made, and attainable. The idea is over seventy years old and hasn't required revision.