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Where does the most expensive opal come from?
THE “AURORA AUSTRALIS” The Aurora Australis was discovered at Lightning Ridge, New South Wales in 1938 and is believed to be the world’s most valuable Black Opal.
Where does the best opal in the world come from?
Australia
More than 90\% of the world’s precious opals come from Australia, and the rest can be found in other parts of the world such as Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia, Czech Republic, Ethiopia and USA. Opals from Mexico (called “Mexican Opal”) has more water and is transparent or extremely translucent.
Which opal is best Australian or Ethiopian?
Whereas Australian opal is mined from deep beneath the ground, Ethiopian opal grows in large volcanic deposits high up in the hills. What makes this variety so appealing is its stunning play of color, one of the most desirable attributes of opal.
What is the most expensive opal in the world?
The Virgin Rainbow
The Virgin Rainbow This $1 million opal is the world’s most expensive. It was discovered in 2003 by John Dunstan (who has been featured in the Outback Opal Hunters TV show) in the same opal fields as the Fire of Australia. Another interesting fact is it formed and was found within an ancient cuttlefish skeleton.
How much is Australian opal worth?
Australian Opal Value Per Carat Because there are so many opal fields in Australia, there really is no singular form of opal. This means that opal costs can vary from about $10 per carat to approximately $6,000 per carat.
Which opals are the best?
Types of opal Black opals are generally considered to be the best in the world due to their dark body tone. Boulder opals are the much lesser known cousin of the black opal, but they can have equally stunning colour.
What is a Brazilian Opal?
It is a hardy Opal because it has low moisture content compared to other Opals. One of the most important mines is Boi Morto where Opal is found is mostly associated within the clay bands. Brazilian Opal has tended to be white semi-transparent through to a see-through body tone.
Who is the richest opal miner?
The Virgin Rainbow opal has been valued at more than a million dollars. He unearthed a $1 million opal said to be the most beautiful in the world but more than a decade on fortunes have changed for John Dunstan.
Are Ethiopian opals valuable?
Ethiopian Opal is a new variety of opal discovered in Wollo province of Ethiopia. It is highly valued for its vibrant body hues, bold color flashes and patterns. These opals are superior in terms of quality but are relatively cheaper than the other popular origin varieties such as Australian Opals.