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The Beechworth Burke Museum
Geological specimen - Precious Opal
In Australia, precious opal is found in Cretaceous age sandstones and mudstones. These sedimentary rocks were deeply weathered and this weathering released silica into the groundwater.Australia is the only part of the world where opalised animal and plant fossils have been found. Opal artefacts several thousands of years old have been discovered in East Africa. As early as 250 BC the Romans prized opals, thought to have come from mines in Eastern Europe, the ancient world's main source of opals. There are many aboriginal dreamtime stories that feature opal. Australian opals discovered during the late 1800's found little favour with European markets but their commercial value increased in the 1900's and in 1932 Australia took over as the major producer of opals in the world and remains the largest producer to this day. Opal is found around the world (Brazil, Mexico, Honduras and the western US) however Australia produces 95% of the world's precious opal and it is our official national gemstone. Opal was first mined commercially at Listowel Downs in Queensland in 1875 and later at White Cliffs in NSW. Today, Coober Pedy (SA) is the main producer of white opal, though in recent years this field has expanded and all types of opals are found. Other centres in SA include Andamooka and Mintabe. Lightning Ridge (NSW) is renowned for black opal and formerly White Cliffs was a large producer of high quality opal. Boulder opals (opals in concretionary ironstone) are mined in Queensland from numerous localities in a zone extending from the Eulo and Cunnamulla district in the south and northwest for a distance of over 700 km to Kynuna in the north. The towns of Quilpie, Yowah and Winton are the main opal mining and wholesale centres. Opals are considered gemstones and have been used in jewellery for thousands of years.Throughout much of history, opals were actually believed to be good luck. The Romans thought that opals were one of the luckiest gemstones and a symbol of hope. In the Middle Ages, opals were believed to be bestowed with all the positive properties of coloured gemstones due to its rainbow-like play of colour. Finally, there is a superstition that you should not wear an opal unless it is your birthstone otherwise misfortune will befall you. This, of course, is far-fetched, but the notion could have been promoted in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries by diamond traders who were trying to increase sales of diamonds and deter people from buying opals. Possibly related to this is the thought that you should set opal jewellery with diamonds as their powers of good fortune will override any negativity held by the opal. The great majority of opal does not show play of colour and is called common opal or potch however this is not the case with a precious opal. Opal is a precious gemstone, like rubies, emeralds or diamonds. Opal is rare, and it is expensive to prospect and mine for.Silica is one of the most common minerals on the planet, but precious opal is very rare – far more rare than diamonds. Precious opal is rare because the natural processes that create it rarely occur.Most (at least 95%) of the opal found by miners is common opal without gem colour. In Australia we call it potch. It can be white, grey, black or amber coloured. Even when a miner finds gem-coloured opal, most of it can’t be cut into gemstones because it’s too thin, or sandy. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.It is not known where this opal originated, except that it is probably from Victoria, as it has been recorded from many localities in the State. Common Opal is formed from silica-rich water circulating through rocks near the Earth’s surface. It consists of minute spheres of silica arranged in different ways. In common opal, the spheres are of different sizes and randomly arranged, unlike in precious opal where the spheres are of similar size and uniformly arranged in three dimensions. These differences account for common opal generally being translucent to opaque and without the play of colours, or opalescence, displayed by precious opal. Common opal is found in many localities and different geological environments throughout Australia and the world. Precious opal requires special conditions to form and is much less common. Australia produces most to the world’s precious opal. burke museum, beechworth, indigo shire, beechworth museum, geological, geological specimen, precious opal, opal, brazil, mexico, honduras, queensland, coober pedy, gemstones, jewellery, play-of-colour, light blue -
Greensborough Historical Society
Booklet, Kerry E Medway, Coober Pedy: opal wonderland of Australia, 1990c
Compilation of historical facts and events about Coober Pedy, opal mining and the people who live there.44 p., colour and black & white illustrationscoober pedy, opal mining -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Geological specimen - Common Opal, unknown
Common Opal is a mineraloid that is non crystallising and is classed as an amorphous silicate, the chemical composition for Opal is SiO2 nH2O. Opals can develop in weathered sedimentary rock typical in arid regions where limited water enters small gaps in the rock, and the silicate is hydrated. Common opals, unlike precious opals, do not exhibit ‘play of colour’ in which the colour appears to change depending on the angle of view. While precious opals are highly valuable and cut as gemstones for jewellery, common opals can be cut into inexpensive gemstones and are also mined for various uses including as ingredients in ceramics, insulation, fillers, and abrasives. The source of this common opal specimen is unknown, but common opals are found around the world, notable deposits are found in Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Peru, Kenya, Nevada, Oregon, and Mexico. This common opal specimen is of historic and scientific significance due to its donation in 1868 as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria and as a typical example of uncut common opal. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A palm-sized amorphous (non-crystallising) hydrated silicate mineraloid specimen in shades of brown, orange, and white.Existing label: Common Opal / Locality unknowngeological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, common opal, opal, mineraloid, amorphous silicates, hydrated silicate -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Geological specimen - Common Opal, Unknown
It is not known where this opal originated. Common Opal is formed from silica-rich water entering the earths crust and hardening into a gel of water and silica-spheres, layered through the specimen. Common opal differs from precious opal in colouration and appearance, with precious opal including more colours, and having a translucent or glossy appearance, where common opal shows less colour and is typically opaque. It scores high on the Mohs hardness scale, and is common throughout the world, especially in Australia, where it is far more prevalent than the highly-prized precious opal. Australia is also the highest producer of opals in the modern world. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A solid, silica-based mineral specimen of Common Opal in shades of grey, green, and yellow, with a thick grey vein running through the centre. geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, opal, common opal, gemstone, mining -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Decorative object - Black and opal chip beads and brooch, 1920s
This unusual jewellery set belonged to the family of Mrs. Jean Raper of Wodonga. It is part of an extensive collection of jewellery items which belonged to her mother and grandmother.This item is from the Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper.A long strand of black beads with embedded opal chips of varied sizes. The front central bead is teardrop shaped and surrounded by 4 large round beads. Beads are strung on a strong dark thread with a plastic screw clasp. The set includes a matching brooch consisting of 3 medium sized and 4 smaller beads attached to a faun gold bar.fashion accessory, women's jewellery -
Federation University Historical Collection
Rocks, Opal Potch, Lightning Ridge, New South Wales
From the Ballarat School of Mines.Four geological specimensrocks, geology, opal potch, lightening ridge -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Society members Opal Smith and Joh Ebeli on far left and Doug Orford on far right at Eltham Central Park, Eltham Festival, 11 November 1989, 11/11/1989
This was the finishing point for the parade. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's parade float featured a gold mining theme - "The Eltham Goldrush" Bruce Ness assembled the float with items loaned by Warrandyte Historical Society and quite a bit of his own ingenuity. Phyllis Macdonald arranged for some of her friends from the Victorian Folk Music Club to provide appropriate musical accompaniment. To provide a level of authenticity, a present day prospector, Jack Hodson was placed in charge of the equipment on the float.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 6 stripsFuji 100 Neltham, main road, eltham central park, eltham festival, parade, shire of eltham historical society, parade float, opal smith, doug orford, joh ebeli -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, From left; Opal Smith, Cr. Bob Manuell and Mandy Press, Shire of Eltham function, c.1990, 1990c
Black and white photographbob manuell, cr bob manuell, mandy press, opal smith -
Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Book, Isobel White, The opal that turned into fire : and other stories from the Wangkumara, 1994
These stories are written versions of legends handed down through the oral tradition of Aboriginal storytellers from the Riverina of New South Wales and Victoria, coastal regions and other parts of Australia.Colour photographs, illustrations, mapswongaibon, kamilaroi, kirrea, dharawal, ualarai, gandangara, darkinjung, dhurga, ngemba, bandjalang, wiradjuri, muruwari, riverina, lake eyre, murray river -
Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery
Painting, BASTIN, Henri, Opal field, 1967
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Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Joh Ebeli, Jack Hodson, Opal Smith and Bruce Ness, Eltham Festival Community Parade, 11 November, 1989, 11/11/1989
[from a contemporary report:] The Shire of Eltham District Society's Parade float theme for 1989 was gold mining which, of course, was a most important aspect of our early history. Bruce Ness assembled the float with items loaned by Warrandyte Historical Society and quite a bit of his own ingenuity. Phyllis MacDonald also arranged for the Victorian Folk Music Club to provide us with appropriate musical accompaniment. To provide a level of authenticity, a present day prospector, Jack Hodson, was in charge of the equipment on the float. The parade assembled in Youth Road and commenced at 10:30am.Colour photograph1989, bruce ness, central park, eltham festival, jack hodson, opal smith, shire of eltham historical society -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Jack Hodson and Opal Smith, Eltham Festival Community Parade, 11 November 1989, 11/11/1989
[from a contemporary report:] The Shire of Eltham District Society's Parade float theme for 1989 was gold mining which, of course, was a most important aspect of our early history. Bruce Ness assembled the float with items loaned by Warrandyte Historical Society and quite a bit of his own ingenuity. Phyllis MacDonald also arranged for the Victorian Folk Music Club to provide us with appropriate musical accompaniment. To provide a level of authenticity, a present day prospector, Jack Hodson, was in charge of the equipment on the float. The parade assembled in Youth Road and commenced at 10:30am.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1989, jack hodson, opal smith, central park -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Joh Ebeli, Jack Hodson, Opal Smith and Bruce Ness, Eltham Festival Community Parade, 11 November 1989, 11/11/1989
[from a contemporary report:] The Shire of Eltham District Society's Parade float theme for 1989 was gold mining which, of course, was a most important aspect of our early history. Bruce Ness assembled the float with items loaned by Warrandyte Historical Society and quite a bit of his own ingenuity. Phyllis MacDonald also arranged for the Victorian Folk Music Club to provide us with appropriate musical accompaniment. To provide a level of authenticity, a present day prospector, Jack Hodson, was in charge of the equipment on the float. The parade assembled in Youth Road and commenced at 10:30am.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1989, central park, jack hodson, opal smith, bruce ness -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Joyce McMahon and Opal Smith, Shire of Eltham Historical Society Christmas function, Eltham Senior Citizens' Centre, 10 December 1986, 10/12/1986
Colour photographactivities, senior citizens' centre, joyce mcmahon, opal smith -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, From left, Russell Yeoman, Opal Smith, Charis Pelling, 08/07/1987
Shire of Eltham Historical Society 20th Anniversary dinner, St Margaret's Hall, 8 July 1987Colour photograph20th anniversary, charis pelling, opal smith, shire of eltham historical society, st margaret's church hall, russell yeoman -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Charis Pelling and Opal Smith, 08/07/1987
Shire of Eltham Historical Society 20th Anniversary dinner, St Margaret's Hall, 8 July 1987Colour photograph20th anniversary, charis pelling, opal smith, shire of eltham historical society, st margaret's church hall -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Russell Yeoman and Opal Smith; tree planting and plaque dedication in memory of Society member, Blanche Shallard, 11 Dec 2002, 11/12/2002
Eltham District Historical Society, Local History Centre, 728 Main Road, ElthamLow-resolution copy of colour photographblanche shallard, eltham district historical society, opal smith, local history centre, russell yeoman -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Opal Smith unveils the plaque with Harry Gilham looking on; tree planting and plaque dedication in memory of Society member, Blanche Shallard, 11 Dec 2002, 11/12/2002
Eltham District Historical Society, Local History Centre, 728 Main Road, ElthamLow-resolution copy of colour photographblanche shallard, eltham district historical society, local history centre, opal smith, harry gilham -
NMIT (Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE)
Book: Opal by Sue Stanford 2006
Book of 85 pages of poetry, written by Sue Stanford and published by NMIT's Flat Chat Press in 2006, . ISBN 1921142987.flat chat press, school publications, nmit -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Opal Smith opposite Infant Welfare Centre, Eltham Community Festival Parade, 8 November 1986, 08/11/1986
[from a contemporary report:] The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's entry in the 1986 Eltham Community Festival Parade included Ben Hall's Cobb & Co. coach along with several vintage motor vehicles and the Society's new Community Banner. Members dressed in in an appropriate costume to ride in one of the vehicles or walk along with them. The assembly point was in Cecil St. at 11.45 a.m. The Society's entry was awarded the major prize for the parade.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1986, main road, infant welfare centre, opal smith -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Eileen Gibbons and Opal Smith, Eltham Community Festival, Panther Place, 8 November 1986, 08/11/1986
[from a contemporary report:] The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's entry in the 1986 Eltham Community Festival Parade included Ben Hall's Cobb & Co. coach along with several vintage motor vehicles and the Society's new Community Banner. Members dressed in in an appropriate costume to ride in one of the vehicles or walk along with them. The assembly point was in Cecil St. at 11.45 a.m. The Society's entry was awarded the major prize for the parade.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1986, eileen gibbons, opal smith, panther place -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Opal Smith, Eileen Gibbons and Flo Spicer, Eltham Festival Community Parade, 7 November 1987, 07/11/1987
[from a contemporary report:] Our float with its colonial washing day theme won the trophy for the best display. Bruce Ness arranged items from the Society's collection on his truck. Joh Ebeli and Russell Yeoman set up further items on the trailer loaned by Denis McKay. An important part of the event was the members who came along in their “old gear” to complete the picture. As usual musicians from the Victorian Folk Music Club helped us out with their lively music.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1987, main road, opal smith, eileen gibbons, flo spicer -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Opal Smith, Eltham Festival Community Parade, 7 November 1987, 07/11/1987
[from a contemporary report:] Our float with its colonial washing day theme won the trophy for the best display. Bruce Ness arranged items from the Society's collection on his truck. Joh Ebeli and Russell Yeoman set up further items on the trailer loaned by Denis McKay. An important part of the event was the members who came along in their “old gear” to complete the picture. As usual musicians from the Victorian Folk Music Club helped us out with their lively music.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1987, main road, opal smith -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Joh Ebeli, Eileen Gibbons, Opal Smith and Blanche Shallard, Eltham Community Festival Parade, 12 November 1988, 12/11/1988
[from a contemporary report:] In 1988 the assembly point for the Parade changed from previous years from Cecil Street to Youth Road behind the Eltham Station for the start of the parade at 12.00. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's float in the Eltham Community Festival Parade won the award for the best display for the second year running. We received a trophy donated by the Billabong Family Bistro, Lower Plenty. The theme of the float was the Eltham Bush Nursing Hospital. The float was prepared by Bruce Ness with some help from other members. A number of members contributed with costumes and other props. Hospital equipment was kindly loaned by the Judge Book Village and in what has become something of a tradition, members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society for the Parade. Their music was again a welcome addition to the float.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1988, central park, joh ebeli, eileen gibbons, opal smith, blanche shallard -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Blanche Shallard, Opal Smith, Eileen Gibbons, Eltham Community Festival Parade, 12 November 1988, 12/11/1988
[from a contemporary report:] In 1988 the assembly point for the Parade changed from previous years from Cecil Street to Youth Road behind the Eltham Station for the start of the parade at 12.00. The Shire of Eltham Historical Society's float in the Eltham Community Festival Parade won the award for the best display for the second year running. We received a trophy donated by the Billabong Family Bistro, Lower Plenty. The theme of the float was the Eltham Bush Nursing Hospital. The float was prepared by Bruce Ness with some help from other members. A number of members contributed with costumes and other props. Hospital equipment was kindly loaned by the Judge Book Village and in what has become something of a tradition, members of the Victorian Folk Music Club accompanied the Society for the Parade. Their music was again a welcome addition to the float.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1988, central park, blanche shallard, opal smith, eileen gibbons -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, From left: Russell Yeoman, Peter Basset-Smith, Bruce Ness and Doug Orford. On truck, Jack Hodson and Opal Smith, Eltham Festival Community Parade, 11 November 1989, 11/11/1989
[from a contemporary report:] The Shire of Eltham District Society's Parade float theme for 1989 was gold mining which, of course, was a most important aspect of our early history. Bruce Ness assembled the float with items loaned by Warrandyte Historical Society and quite a bit of his own ingenuity. Phyllis MacDonald also arranged for the Victorian Folk Music Club to provide us with appropriate musical accompaniment. To provide a level of authenticity, a present day prospector, Jack Hodson, was in charge of the equipment on the float. The parade assembled in Youth Road and commenced at 10:30am.Colour photographeltham festival, shire of eltham historical society, 1989, bruce ness, jack hodson, opal smith, peter bassett-smith, youth road, doug orford, russell yeoman -
Victorian Harness Racing Heritage Collection at Lord's Raceway Bendigo
Document - Record, Harness Horse, Opal Chief
Stephen Spark compiled horses performance records starting in 1983 on his typewriter. Opal Chief raced from 1960 (2yo) through to 1965 (7yo). Had a Winning Streak of 12 wins. Career: 29 wins 9 seconds 5 thirds 62 starts.Typed document in black and red ink.harness racing, australasian harness racing, horse career, performance records, bendigo harness racing club, bhrc, opal chief, keith raw, ke raw, k raw -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Wooden serviette rings, 1940's
Small ring made by internee in Camp 3. Silver ring with rectangular opal. -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Pendant, 1940's
Opal pendant mounted in tortoise shell -
Clunes Museum
Card - BIRTHDAY CARD
BIRTHDAY CARD FOR OCTOBER WITH A OPAL IN THE CENTER OF A FLOWERgreeting card, birthday card