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Links of London lands London Olympics jewellery deal

4000BC: The year opals date back to. They are most likely to originate from Ethiopia
90%: Australia has dominated opal production since the 1800s with more than 90% of the global output coming from down under
19th: The century when the opal was considered bad luck in Europe. However, Queen Victoria was quite a fan of opal and wore her personal collection throughout her reign
15,000: Black opals, the most rare and prized, can cost more than Aus$15,000 (about £8,750) a carat

Links of London will create the official jewellery collection of London 2012, The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has confirmed.

Links of London creative director Elizabeth Galton and her team will create jewellery and precious metal collections, premium items, children’s jewellery and metal gifts. Jewellery will include a heritage collection, inspired by iconic images and events from previous Games.

LOCOG director of commercial negotiations Charlie Wijeratna said: “Links of London embody the city’s wit, spirit and heart through imaginative and innovative jewellery design and we look forward to working with them. Our merchandise programme is really taking shape now and we have some fantastic British companies working with us.”

The first London 2012 jewellery will be on sale later this year, product will be on sale on London 2012’s online store and through the Links of London network.