"The Sail" is a 36.6 carat Lightning Ridge black opals with a strikingly beautiful pattern.
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Lightning Ridge is a famous name in the world of opals. The name of the area originated from an episode of bad luck when a shepherd, his dog, and 600 sheep were killed when lightning struck them while finding shelter on one of the ridges. Their bad luck gave way to an abundance of good luck beginning with the discovery of opals in the Lightning Ridge area in 1873. Since then, the Lightning Ridge mining area has produced some of the finest opals in the world. This mine does not produce as many opals as the Coober Pedy mining district, but the quality of Lightning Ridge opals is superior. The most valuable opals are the highly prized black opals from Lightning Ridge, and roughly 99% of all Black Opals come from this mine. Opals found in this mining district have broad patches of bright fire. Sometimes the fire it’s so bright, it’s almost electric. One of more unique qualities of these opals is that their fire stays bright, even in low light. This kind of fire is rarely found in other mines. Fossilized opals are also found in Lightning Ridge, but they are usually in the shape of organic material like trees and plants rather than sea animals.
Lightning Ridge Opal Photo Gallery
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