Opal Black Opal, Boulder Opal and White Opal deposits in Australia Australia’s Great Artesian Basin (GAB) hosts widespread deposits of Opal, and continue to be the major source of high-quality gem opal for the international coloured gemstone market. Opal mining in the GAB has produce billions of dollars’ worth of exquisite gems, including light opal…
All of Nature’s splendour seems to be reflected in the manifold opulence of fine opals: fire and lightening, all the colours of the rainbow and the soft shine of far seas. Australia is the classical country of region. Almost 95% of all fine opals come from the dry and remote outback deserts, Australia. The Roman…
The name Opal was probably derived from Sanskrit “upala”, meaning “valuable stone”. This was probably the root for the Greek term “Opallios”, or a “stone from several elements”. So, the ancient Romans may already have had an inkling why Opals show such a striking play of colours. Unlike most gems, Australian Opals are infinitely varied…