Sustainability 

FTB opals are unique. All of the stones are ethically sourced from Lightning ridge and some parts of Queensland, and production is monitored by Tatiana’s Father, Mario, who has been working in the industry for over 40 years. Polishing and cutting is all done within his company without any outsourcing, guaranteeing control over the quality and practice of such a delicate gem. 

FTB has built relationships with miners for many years, which guarantees that every single piece can be traced back to the mine they were sourced from, and ensures that the stones are conflict free and the miner gets the fairest price for their hard labor. FTB opals are as close to the earth as possible. 

Australian Opals are a finite source. Often referred to as the ‘Mystery stone’, the illusive gem is incredibly difficult to find and the miner relies on an element of chance in finding that illustrious colour bar amidst the limestone in a dim, underground shaft. They are truly one of the last naturally occurring gemstones – they are simply unearthed, cut, and polished without any use of heat or chemicals. 

The process

Tatiana designs all the pieces at the FTB Studio in Los Angeles, carefully pairing her designs with the befitting stones and then working closely with a skilled team of jewellers in Los Angeles. Each piece is handcrafted around the individual nature of the stone, ensuring a unique experience where no two are alike. Due to the careful consideration taken to craft each piece, some designs will be need to be preordered and may take up to 2 weeks to be completed. 

Tatiana currently resides in Los Angeles, California, where she has a Studio. 

Variance in opals 

FTB Studio is committed to using Solid Australian opal gemstones, and as such each piece is individual and comes with it’s own colour story. Opals naturally vary in colour and size, and each piece will have individual characteristics that may vary from the photograph. Please contact us if you wish to see the exact stone you'll be getting. We work closely with our customers to find them their perfect match. 

For details regarding the different types of opal and colour variations, please email us at admin@fadetoblackstudio.com

Values  

As a company, we pride ourselves on quality and price transparency. We use materials that are made to last: no fillers, vermeil or gold plating. By using solid Australian opals and solid gold, we are making a proud statement to the jewelry industry, which cuts corners and marks up prices to an exorbitant degree whilst using lower grade materials.

You won't find crazy markups here. Our business model is designed so that our stones are sourced as close to the earth as possible, allowing us to cut out the middlemen and keep prices reasonable, whilst using the very best materials to ensure the highest standard of product every time. We want our customers to feel liberated from the traditional retail model, to feel included in the process and receive pieces that are unique to them.