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Opal is a precious stone composed of silica similar to quartz with a
varying amount of water trapped within the mineral structure. Up to 90%
of all opal found is valueless 'potch' (opal without colour, usually
white or greyish white) but the remaining 10% is the brilliantly
coloured and highly prized gem.
 Coober Pedy
is the largest opal mining town in the world - The Opal Capital of the
World. The opal fields around Coober Pedy are pitted with abandoned
prospecting drill holes and mine shafts which can be up to 30 metres
deep. It is illegal to enter a pegged claim without the miner's
permission.
The Desert Cave Hotel runs daily
tours
which include a walk through a former opal mine, all with expert
information. Take a tour, see and learn about opal mining in a safe
environment (see Tours).
 'More
beautiful than diamonds'. Most of the opal found around Coober Pedy is
crystal opal, whitish in base colour with flashes of blue, green, red
and orange, depending on the quality of the gem. Considered by the
Romans to be more valuable than diamonds, opals were treasured because
they combined the colours of every gem.
Visitors
can try their luck, and are welcome to noodle (fossick) for opals at
the Jewellers Shop Field within the town. It is not necessary to have a
permit to noodle, but it is essential to obtain permission of the miner
holding the mining permit. The safest way is to take part in an
organised tour. A permit is required for mining.
Watch
where you walk! Remember that Coober Pedy is a mining town. Outside of
the town area, do not walk backwards, especially when taking
photographs. Beware of machinery in operation and do not go onto the
opal fields at night. These are simply common sense warnings to ensure
our visitors' safety.
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