Olympic Australis

The Olympic Australis Opal is largest and most valuable opal yet found^[1], valued at AUD$2,500,000. It was found in 1956 at the Eight Mile opal field in the outback opal gemstone mining town of Coober Pedy in South Australia, where during the Australian summer months the temperature can reach 40° celsius above ground. South Australia is the largest producer of white opal and crystal opal gemstones in the world.^{[citation needed]}

The opal was found at a depth of 9.144 meters. The Olympic Australis opal was named in honor of the Olympic Games, which were being held in Melbourne at the time. It consists of 99% gem opal with an even colour throughout the stone, and has been left in a natural organic state, unpolished and uncut with blemishes. Olympic Australis is 280 mm long, with a height 120 mm and a width of 115 mm. It weighs 17,000 carats (3450 grams). Currently the opal is kept in Melbourne, at the offices of Altmann & Cherny Ltd.^[2]

References

1. ^ Leechman, F; The opal book, University of California Press, 1961
2. ^ Allan W. Eckert; The world of opals John Wiley and Sons, 1997 p100