Moffat Beach jewellery designer Rita Williams lives 1400km from Winton, but she shares a rock-hard bond with the opal haven in central Queensland.
It was there that Rita claimed two more significant gongs at the Queen of Gems Boulder Awards.
Rita’s designs are all manufactured in her studio using ecologically sustainable reclaimed and recycled materials.
Enigma, a bold and modern design, crafted in sterling silver and 14ct yellow gold, Queensland boulder opal and West Australian diamonds, proved most popular, securing first place in the People’s Choice category.
Euphoria, an intricate and stunning 18ct gold cuff bracelet, featuring Cairns Birdwing butterflies in boulder opal with Argyle diamond studded orchids, was awarded first prize in the Professional Jewellery 1B Category.
Rita also won the People’s Choice Award last year, with her snake-inspired piece, Renewal.
“The Queen of Gems Boulder Opal Awards truly are world class,” Rita said.
“It’s held in Winton’s iconic Waltzing Matilda Centre (and) it shows what passionate locals in regional towns can achieve when working together.
“The tiny town was packed with hundreds of tourists enjoying the two-day opal festival in July, culminating in the Queen of Gems awards on the Saturday night.
“It was humbling and overwhelming to have both pieces take out the top awards.”
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Rita is the owner, managing director and head designer at Sunstate Jewellers, which is celebrating 50 years of trading in the same location and has been owned by the same family since 1972.
She works closely with Moffat Beach opal cutter and specialist Stephen Smart, who sources, shapes and cuts the finest natural opal in Australia.
You can view her award-winning jewellery pieces at Sunstate Jewellers Gallery, 2 Allen Street, Moffat Beach, from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
