In 1993, the opal was declared Australia’s national gemstone, soon to follow were ways to promote the gemstone’s new found prominence, including postage stamps. Thanks to modern printing methods, it was possible to reproduce the gemstone’s inherent qualities, namely the play of beautiful spectral colors, in a way that makes it seem an actual opal was altered to envelope to cover postal costs.

To help advance the opal’s appearance on postage stamps, Hans De Boer approached the Philatelic Department of Australia Post and relevant government ministers in order to help with the decision. The Australian Gemstone industry Association (AIGS) in Sydney had similar ideas, but at that time no action had been taken to implement a proposal to the relevant authorities.

Eventually, the AGIA formed a committee to oversee the stamp project, to be followed by a year of promotional activities to commemorate the event. The result was a new technology developed in Australia called the Exelgram. Another issue of opal stamps has been proposed as well.

A reception was held in Sydney to celebrate the opal and the stamp’s release.