The “Aurora Australis” is considered to be the world’s most valuable black opal.
It was found in 1938 at Lightning Ridge. Apart from its color and play of light, it is unique in that it has the impression of a star fish on its back.
In 2005, it was valued at AUD $1,000,000.
The stone is an oval, cut and polished, and has a harlequin pattern - the dominant colors or red, green and blue against the black background. It is three inches by 1.8 inches, and weighs 180 cts.
Miner Charlie Dunstan found the gem. It is said that he sold it for 100 pounds. Altmann & Cherny purchased the opal in a semi-rough state (a rub), and cut and polished it into its current oval shape. It was then that they realized its fantastic beauty, and named it the “Aurora Australis” after the southern lights.
The Aurora Australis is still owned by the Altmann and Cherny company and is on permanent display in their Sydney showroom at 19 - 31 Pitt Street, Sydney.
See a photo of this opal, which really doesn’t do it justice, at Altmann and Cherny.