Of all opals in the world, the finest gemstones of the highest quality are found in Australia. That's why this precious stone is Australia's National gemstone. Opal's popularity grows every day due to its fascinating beauty. Many people think that nothing in this world is ever black and white. When it comes to opals - this opinion may not be true. Some say that black opal is "The mother of all gemstones", and they say it for a good reason. The black opal earned this title because it’s the only stone that has every other gemstone’s color in it and Australia is the only place in the world wh...

There are only 5 precious stones, of which opal is one. The other 4 being diamond, emerald, ruby and sapphire and all of them are simply minerals. Where opal is concerned, that mineral is silica. It is quite simply, in chemical terms, silicon dioxide and water. It boasts the title, “The Queen of Gems.” Over 95% of the world’s opals are Australian in origin, and the most precious opal of all, the black opal, is unique to Australia. Each and every opal is so unique that the miner of the stone can identify it years later.

Mac will be heading back out to the opal fields in mid July 2010. He plans at this stage to visit Koroit, Yowah and Lightning Ridge, with the small task of moving rather heavy mining equipment. His expedition to Koroit in the last few years proved rather difficult and he has made the tough decision to leave the mining to miners and to stick to the cutting and setting of his passion. This doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have a love for the outback and will quite happily spend a day dibbling his fingers in opal, be it rough or cut, he really doesn’t mind. With his artistic eye, he can turn what ...