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Home » Interesting Bits

Category: Interesting Bits

Rare Opal Pattern

By Peter Posted on June 16, 2016 Posted in Interesting Bits 3 Comments

Sometimes an opal cutter comes across some rare opal that has an unusual pattern. These opals are both rare and unique. Peter cut one of these rare opals recently. The rare opal pictured below, weighs 14 carats and measures 30 mm by 20 …

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Mammoth Ivory Carvings – New Shipment

By Norm Posted on May 19, 2016 Posted in Interesting Bits No Comments

19/05/2016. We are just beginning to put out in the shop the latest exquisite fossil mammoth ivory carvings our carvers have recently finished. This is just one of several master carved pieces. Running horses sitting on a hand carved wooden base. …

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Mineshaft History – 2015

By Norm Posted on January 1, 2015 Posted in Interesting Bits No Comments

20/10/2015…..Solid opal Buddha carving 87.7 carats. This carving was carved last week by our carver in Bali. It took him 18 hours. The opal was found by Peter and was part of the first pocket mined at the Grasshopper field …

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The Story of Australia Documentary

By Peter Posted on May 10, 2014 Posted in Interesting Bits No Comments

Mineshafts’s participation in The Story of Australia…..documentary aired in China to 21 million viewers. Peter  (Owner of Mineshaft) was invited to be part of this documentary. One of the six parts was on mining in Australia and a section of this …

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Mineshaft History – 2014

By Norm Posted on January 1, 2014 Posted in Interesting Bits, Shop News No Comments

11/12/14…These three Buddha carvings by our own carver in Bali were unpacked and sold within the day to one of our Buddha collectors in the UK. 8/12/14….Parcels everywhere. We have received an avalanche of  stock arriving for Christmas. Lots of jewellery, …

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About Opal

By Norm Posted on June 11, 2013 Posted in Interesting Bits No Comments

Australian Precious Opal is the best quality opal in the world. It has supplied the market with an abundance of unique and exquisite gems for over 100 years. However love of opal and the wonder of the stone started along …

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Denver Show

By Peter Posted on November 26, 2011 Posted in Interesting Bits No Comments

Denver Show 2011 The Denver show in Colorado USA is held every year in September. It is regarded by many as the ‘little brother’ of the Tucson gem and mineral show. I have wanted to see this show for many …

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Ethiopian opal update

By Peter Posted on March 15, 2011 Posted in Interesting Bits 18 Comments

ETHIOPIAN OPAL UPDATE (A soapbox opinion) Should the Australian Opal industry be worried about the influx of Ethiopian Opal onto the world market? I believe many in our industry are blissfully running their businesses along the same lines they have …

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MILLION DOLLAR OPALS

By Peter Posted on July 9, 2010 Posted in Interesting Bits 5 Comments

MILLION DOLLAR OPALS In the past few months I have been approached by two separate opal miners for help in selling two unique but totally different opals. As yet both are unsold and still on the market. The first started …

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Tucson 2010

By Peter Posted on June 16, 2010 Posted in Interesting Bits No Comments

Tucson Show 2010 The Tucson gem and mineral show is a pilgrimage that anyone interested in gems, minerals, fossils or jewellery should make at least once. I have been more then 25 times and spent over a year of my …

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Recent Posts

  • Peters Story Part 26
  • From Rough Opal Stone to Polished Opal Gem
  • Rare Opal Pattern
  • The Story of Australia Documentary
  • Selenite Wands

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