Opals Information

Opal Quiz

July 13, 2020November 16, 2012 by Peter Christianos

The colours and patterns seen in opal are known as Opalescence. – FALSE
‘Play of colour’ is the correct term for the iridescent effect and rainbow colours seen in Opal. Opalescence is correctly applied to the milky effect seen in common opal or potch, moonstone or opal-glass. It is due to the scattering of light by small particles within the stone.

Gem Digital Analyzer a Winner

June 21, 2020November 16, 2012 by Peter Christianos

IT X3 The GDA opens at the Powerhouse Museum:  The 2010 Engineers Australia Awards exhibition is now open at the Powerhouse Museum. Celebrating innovation, creativity … Read more

20th Century Technicolour

July 8, 2020November 16, 2012 by Peter Christianos

The du Pont family, one of the most prominent American families, descend from French nobility having emigrated to the United States in 1800. Initially … Read more

Opals for a Brave New World

July 13, 2020November 16, 2012 by Peter Christianos

Fine taste, positive thoughts and good fortune are the hallmarks of remarkable individuals.

Sir Thomas Brassey (1836-1918), 1st Earl Brassey, was the son of a self-made millionaire and aire to a railroad fortune.

By Royal Appointment

July 13, 2020November 16, 2012 by Peter Christianos

Louis XVI (1754-1793) wore an Opal finger-ring befitting the illustriously luxuriant Court he held with his Queen at Versailles. Indeed Marie Antoinette owned a famous flame Opal known as the ‘Forest Fire’.

Symbol of Regency

July 12, 2020November 16, 2012 by Peter Christianos

Opals became a sine qua non of royal and aristocratic dress in Renaissance England. Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) and indeed members of the Elizabethan nobility, wore lavish parures of Opal.

Queen of Gems

July 12, 2020November 16, 2012 by Peter Christianos

Due to its exceptionality Opal has always been well represented in private collections around the globe. The mysterious ‘Queen of Gemstones’ is synonymous with graceful power, beauty and rarity.

Mintabie Documentary

June 28, 2020April 11, 2012 by admin

Mintabie Rough ‘This South Australian outback town offers the promise of opal and much more’. A Film by Al Lad, 2011.

Gallery

June 21, 2020July 31, 2011 by admin

The Widgetkit Gallery provides a smart and automated way to publish images on your website. You only need to select the image folders and the … Read more

Queensland Documentaries

June 21, 2020May 28, 2011 by admin

Romancing the Stone

‘From Cinderella to Waltzing Matilda’ – A Snapshot of the Opal Industry in Queensland.

Launched in 2010 as a 2 part DVD documentary exploring the history of the small, independent Opal fossickers and sapphire miners along the Tropic of Capricorn and the building of a heritage tourism industry.