Opal and Gemstone Cutting Workshop

Opal miners and fossickers, jewellers, wholesalers, collectors, and tourists who want a stone cut or set while they visit.

Contract cutting priced per stone or per carat, plus selling your own finished stones to jewellers and walk-in customers if you hold stock.

• Reading rough stone to get the best result
• Consistent cutting and polishing
• Pricing and negotiating with trade customers
• Basic bookkeeping and stock handling

• Silica dust and wet slurry need proper extraction, protective gear and waste handling, so check your state's work health and safety rules
• Check council rules for the premises, zoning and trade waste before signing a lease
• Budget for the lease deposit, fit-out, and initial rough stock on top of equipment, as these can add up quickly
• Insurance for public liability, stock and customers' stones, plus workers compensation if you hire
• Buying rough or finished stones carries value and provenance risk, so keep clear records and know your suppliers
• Income can rise and fall with the seasons and tourism, so keep some cash in reserve

Startup costs are typically around $30,000 to $90,000, depending on the lease deposit, fit-out, equipment and initial rough stock. These items can add up quickly, so budget for each one.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on your volume of work, trade customers and visitor numbers. Income can rise and fall with the seasons and tourism, so keep some cash in reserve.

Check your state's work health and safety rules for silica dust, slurry and waste handling. Also check council zoning and trade waste for the premises, insurance for stock and customers' stones, and keep clear records of your suppliers.