Opals in Coober Pedy, Australia

[mellowyellow]

Seen above are two opalised fossil shells found in Coober Pedy, Australia. The name Coober Pedy comes from the Aboriginal words kupa pity and means "white man in a hole" because the opals are collected in mines. These opals were first discovered in 1915 by an accident when a teenage boy found a few rocks while his father and he were looking for gold. The opalescent play-of-color in these gems can be seen In this video.

 

[Mike]

They are nice stones mellowyellow.

I watch the programmes about opal mining, a risky
job sometimes.

Mike.

 

[Warrigal]

You have to be half mad to be an opal miner. Hubby and I have visited three opal mining towns - Coober Pedy, White Cliffs and Lightning Ridge - and I wouldn't want to live in any of them.

I like opals though.

 

[Glowworm]

Bought some opals and visited the underground church when I passed through Coober Pedy on my Australian roadtrip. Wouldn't have it as my first choice of town to settle in either.

 

[IrisSenior]

I wish opals (Oct) were my birthstone instead of Garnet (Dec).

 

[Pinky]

Opal is my birthstone, but I didn't like them until later in life. I wish I'd bought a higher grade of opal ring while I was living in Australia. The one better stone fell out and I can't find a jeweller to get it re-set. I do have a better grade, small opal necklace with a lot of blue in it, which I was given when I left.