BLACK OPAL FOUND

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1928, Page 5

BLACK OPAL FOUND

WORTH UPWARDS OF £SOOO

SYDNEY, November 8

An opal weighing one pound in its rough .state, and estimated to he worth from £3OOO to £SOOO, has been found on the Grawin field, 12 miles from Walgett. The gem was 'found at a depth of 15ft by Alessrs AY. Klein and ('. Stephens, and it is a perfect .specimen of the" world-famous black opal. A peculiar feature ol the stone is that directly in its centre is the outline of the figure of a woman, surrounded by tints of indescribable lieautv.

111 its present state the gem is 2.1 inches long and 2 inches wide, with a depth of about hall an inch. During the cutting operation, several chips were taken away, and live of these are perfect specimens, calculated to be worth at least £350. The gem has been christened “The Light «l the AA’orld,” and has been taken to Sydney by the lucky finders for the purpose of getting a market valuation. Some splendid parcels oi opal continue to be found at Lightning Ridge ami the Grawin fields, and quite a lot of men are employed at both centres. Some time ago a wonderful stone was discovered at Lightning Ridge. : ,„d was the centre of much discussion i„ everv State of the Commonwealth, as well'as in other parts of the world.