In 1954, Queen Elizabeth II was going to make her first visit to Australia. The South Australian government wished to present her with the finest opal in all Australia as a gift, and set in motion an extensive search for such a gemstone.
The firm of Altmann & Cherny submitted a piece of rough opal which had been mined at Andamooka, and it was this piece that the government selected as the best quality gemstone to give to the English queen.
The opal was cut to 203 carats, and polished by John Altmann, and displayed a magnificent array of colours including red, blue and green. It was set with diamonds into an 18 carat palladium necklet.
What’s palladium? Palladium ihas been used as a precious metal in jewelry since 1939, as an alternative to platinum or white gold. It is slightly whiter, much lighter and around 10% harder than platinum.
It is one of the three most popular metals used to make white gold alloys.
When researching the history of opal - from mining to miners to famous opals - it is sometimes necessary to read several books before you come up with the full story on any given subject.
Take for example the Empress of Australia Opal, which I talked about briefly a few days ago. Here’s that entry:
The “Empress of Australia” was mined in 1915, from the same patch on Phone Line where the “Pride of Australia” opal had been found by by Urwin and Brown. It was first called the “Kaleidoscope Queen”, then “Tartan Queen”, before being given its present name.
This stone originall measured 3 x 2 3/4 x 2 1/4 inches in the rough. It was accidentally dropped and broke into two pieces, from which two new opals were cut.
These new, almost matching stones each measuring 2 inches long and weighing 20 carats.
The daughter of Ernie Sherman designed a beautiful pendant for one half. The second piece, measuring 1 3/4 x 1 1/2 inches and weighing 50-60 carats, was mounted in a necklet of brilliants.
Well, what were the names of these new opals?
According to The World of Opals, by Alan W. Eckert, pg 132, the new stones were called the Black Prince, Flamingo, and Pride of Australia, with the largset one being called the Empress. They were all sold in a single parcel and purchased by a well-known buyer, Ernest G. Sherman — and given those names by his sister.
The Red Admiral, also known as the ‘Butterfly Stone’ was discovered during World War I on the ‘Phone Line’ field in Lightning Ridge, Australia.
This opal is 51 carats, and has a predominantly red pattern which is visible from all angles.
The stone was given the name “Butterfly” in 1920 that because it its resembled a butterfly found in England, the Red Admiral.
According to Len Cram (the well known opal historian): “If you turn this magnificent gem on its side it changes from a butterfly to a full-length picture of a Spanish dancer in traditional broad ruffled dress, perfect in pose and movement, aflame with fiery lights.”
The Red Admiral has had many owners, including Percy Marks (Designers, Jewellers, Opal, Gem & Diamond Merchants since 1899) and a Queensland grazier, before being purchased by a Mrs Drysdale of Sydney.
Since 2004, it has been owned by Percy Marks & Co.
Here is a list of the world’s most famous opals - all of them found in Australia:
The Olympic Australis Opal: The largest and most valuable gem opal found to date.
The Red Admiral Opal: Also known as the Butterfly Stone.
The Aurora Australis Opal: Most valuable black opal.
The Empress of Australia Opal
The Flame Queen Opal
The Fire Queen Opal
The Black Prince Opal: First known as Harlequin Prince.
The Pride of Australia Opal: Also known as the Red Emperor Opal.
The Flamingo Opal
The Halley’s Comet Opal: The world’s largest uncut black opal.
The Andamooka Opal: Also known as the Queen’s Opal, because it was presented to Queen Elizabeth II.
The Jupiter Five Opal
In future entries I’ll discuss each of these opals and their history.