Raree $675,000 opal makes public crazy
Here, an opal expert in Coober Pedy displays a harlequin crystal opal (left) and a boulder opal.
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The South Australian Museum has one of the world's largest opal collections, including this stone, called the Candle of Life. An opalized ancient cuttlefish fossil, this opal is similar to the Virgin Rainbow, but is not pure crystal opal.
Photos: Rare $675,000 opal makes public debut
The South Australian Museum has one of the world's largest opal collections, including this stone, called the Candle of Life. An opalized ancient cuttlefish fossil, this opal is similar to the Virgin Rainbow, but is not pure crystal opal.
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"South Australia has the perfect climate for opal creation and many of our pieces are the result of opal forming and replacing the fossils of ancient sea creatures" Oldman said. "So, where you see a specimen that seems to echo shapes of an ancient creature and pieces that look like a sea bed, like this Crouch opal, that is because our land made it possible for opal to form and fill in spaces left behind behind animals, water, shells, et cetera."
Photos: Rare $675,000 opal makes public debut
South Australia has the perfect climate for opal creation and many of our pieces are the result of opal forming and replacing the fossils of ancient sea creatures Oldman said. So, where you see a specimen that seems to echo shapes of an ancient creature and pieces that look like a sea bed, like this Crouch opal, that is because our land made it possible for opal to form and fill in spaces left behind behind animals, water, shells, et cetera.
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The largest and most valuable single piece of rough gem opal is the <a href=" target="_blank">Olympic Australis</a> (not pictured), a 3.4 kilogram, 17,000 carat stone estimated to be worth about $1.9 million.
Photos: Rare $675,000 opal makes public debut
The largest and most valuable single piece of rough gem opal is the Olympic Australis (not pictured), a 3.4 kilogram, 17,000 carat stone estimated to be worth about $1.9 million.
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In terms of polished stone, the <a href=" target="_blank">Virgin Rainbow</a> is the world's most expensive opal on a per gram basis. Valued at over $750,000, the opalized fossil (pictured) is the shape and size of an index finger, and was named for the multitude of colors that can be seen in the stone.
Photos: Rare $675,000 opal makes public debut
In terms of polished stone, the Virgin Rainbow is the world's most expensive opal on a per gram basis. Valued at over $750,000, the opalized fossil (pictured) is the shape and size of an index finger, and was named for the multitude of colors that can be seen in the stone.
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A rare, $675,000 opal has gone on display at the South Australian Museum, the first time it's being shown in public since its discovery in 1946.
Photos: Rare $675,000 opal makes public debut
A rare, $675,000 opal has gone on display at the South Australian Museum, the first time it's being shown in public since its discovery in 1946
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