There are 6 Countries around the world that produce Gem Opal. The most Famous, and with the Best Quality material is Australia. Then Brazil, Mexico, USA, Ethiopia and more recently Indonesia.

This map shows major Opal producing areas/towns in Australia. The Opal is mostly found in Cretaceous Sediment formations related to an Large Ancient Ocean Basin (Green/Yellow)

This where the Drill hole has been adapted and widened at the base to allow people to climb in. Often the start point to a large network of tunnels. The rim at the top stops dirt falling in, and gives an anchor for the ladder and security arrangements.

This shows a tunnel intersection/hub at the Opal level underground. Often 30 or 60 feet below gound. Miners follow the trace and Opal leading to mazes of tunnels like these. Knowing where you are is quite important if you want to get back out again.

Mining at the surface where Opal levels hit ground often look like this. Excavator to move the ground, a Pile of Rocks, here its Ironstone, and people looking for Opal Trace/Boulders with colour showing to see if the fuel is paid for that day. If your lucky you hit a Pocket of several Loaded stones in one area. Often where faults meet.

These 5 buckets are full of Boulder Opal chunks. You would be very happy if you came away with this in your truck. Some Blue/Purples showing here even when dry.

These are rough seam Opals from Coober Pedy, As dug from the mine. Some colour showing here, they are Flat bars with Potch and Skin on them.

Mining at Lightning Ridge requires the dirt to be cleaned once its mined. The Rock is harder than some eplaces and the Opal hides in Sandy nodules. These wash the dirt in the repurposed drums of mixers. Plus a lot of water.

In an event called a " Tail out" Miners empty the Agitators and search the remains of the washed material. This is what your looking for. Black Opal with Green/Blues, and if your lucky Red/Golds.

when you arrive at an Opal field you will certainly notice in most cases, these are the Potch and Rock from all the underground mines in the area. The more piles, the more Opal has come from that area. Or at least the mining has been carried out.

From the Air it is very clear where the Opal is (or was before mining) A few opal fields can be seen here stretching into the far distance. Some being very old.

This shows the location of Opal Deposits in Ethiopia. The highlands are quite inhospitable, and has Volcanoes to. (source of the Opal) Miners have a hard time of getting to the Opal levels before they even start mining.

These miners have found Opal and are now following the patch into the rock.

These Crystal Opal Nodules have Bright Multicolours. Good sizes, displayed here on the local newspaper.