Koroit
Koroit is the name of an opal field in Queensland that is approximately 85 kilometers from Cunnamulla .
Koroite opals were discovered away from Yowah in 1897 and a small business started looking for opals. This company went down but was taken over by Scottish And Australian Opal Mines . This company started mining in May 1903. 150 shafts and 460 meter long tunnels were dug and matrix and boulder opals were found. However, during this period, opal prices fell due to an oversupply of opals from White Cliffs , and mining ceased.
In 1907 a round-shaped 15 cm opal was found in this opal area by a single worker, one of the largest opals ever found. That is why it was named Great Australian .
In 1925 there were several attempts to find opals again, but these were unsuccessful. In the 1970s, as opal prices rose, the Koroit opal field developed a new bloom. Koroite opals are in great demand again today.
See also
Individual evidence
- ^ Mineralienatlas : Koroit , accessed on February 12, 2012