Sidharta Books & Print

Shirley Hughes celebrated 50 years in the opal industry in October 2013 (the month of opals). She has 55 years of experience and knowledge of the opal industry under her belt.
Shirley was first employed by Mr Desmond Burton to work in his soon-to-open pharmacy in the small, end-of-the-line town of Quilpie in south-western Queensland. The main reason Des Burton was opening in Quilpie was because he had a firm belief that there was opal in the area.
After research, he filed several claims, purchased appropriate machinery and employed half a dozen locals who had time on their hands and began mining. Soon after, many boulders filled with beautiful opal seams were found on two of the mine sites.
Load after load of boulders were piled at the rear of the pharmacy in Quilpie. Des purchased saws, grinders, sanders and polishing equipment as advertised in the lapidary journal and with help from a couple of friends, he set up shop in the rear of the pharmacy dispensary.
After much trial and error, the routine became Des sawing the boulders and Shirley grinding, sanding, shaping and polishing from midnight until 6 pm, seven days a week.
On the suggestion of an American gentleman passing through Quilpie, Des decided to explore the US market. Shirley, two flight bags filled to the brim with opals boarded a plane to the USA where during the next couple of years she visited jewellers in every capital city in every state. All were extremely impressed with the opal.
Along the way it was suggested that Shirley show the boulder opals at the Annual Jewellery Manufacturers Show in the New York Coliseum. Boulder opals stopped the show and was pictured in the The New York Times. Shirley was relieved and happy that after three years, three months and three days she could go home.
In 1979 Shirley moved to Western Australia to establish Quilpie Opals Perth, which over the years has become renowned for quality, value and service provided to customers including corporate clients, visiting US military personnel and international clients.
Shirley lives in Western Australia with her son, Russell.