Andamooka, SA

Andamooka is a historic opal mining town located in the arid outback of South Australia, about 600 km north of Adelaide and near the edge of the Stuart Highway. Known for its rugged charm and rich opal fields, Andamooka rose to fame in the 1930s as one of the country’s most productive opal mining areas.

Home to the rare and valuable Andamooka Opal, the town is deeply tied to Australia’s gemstone heritage. Visitors are drawn to its unique blend of mining history, lunar-like landscapes, and opportunities to fossick for opals themselves. Despite its small size, Andamooka holds a big place in Australia’s outback legacy and remains a must-visit for gem lovers and adventurers alike.

A Brief History of Andamooka

Andamooka is a quaint, historic town situated in South Australia that received its name from the Aboriginal term meaning ‘large waterhole’. The town stands as an emblem of a time when opal mining was at its peak, with miners drawn from all over the world, enticed by the prospect of uncovering a fortune.

Andamooka is the second largest opal field in South Australia. Opal was first mined here in 1930.

The field is known for it's famous "Painted Lady" specimens as well as for producing the 203 carat Andamooka Opal, one of the finest gemstones that the world has ever seen. Like many Australian opal fields, Andamooka had it's heyday in the 60s and 70s. Over 3,000 people lived and worked in the town permanently and the quality of opal being mined was neck in neck with the gems that were coming out of Coober Pedy.

The opal presented to the late Queen Elizabeth was from Andamooka

In the last decade, the population of Andamooka has fallen to about 500 residents. Uranium mining has overtaken opal mining as the area's most profitable industry. This is due in part to Coober Pedy's meteoric rise to fame as an epicenter of opal mining. Regardless, Andamooka maintains an unparalleled historical value and is still considered to be one of the most formidable Australian opal fields

Types of Andamooka Opals

Right, let’s now peel back the layers and understand what an 'Andamooka Crystal Opal' is. A crystal opal, unlike opals with a dense background, has a translucent or semi-transparent body. The charm of this stone lies in its mystical aura, its ability to capture and refract light, bathing it in a cavalcade of colours from fiery red to a tranquil violet.

Under the light, these opals come alive with a shimmering spectacle that dances across the spectrum. Andamooka crystal opal’s radiant display of colours, flickering from every angle and with every movement, paints a mesmerising canvas, akin to the riveting display of Aurora Borealis.

As we traverse through the charming world of Andamooka Opal, let’s not skirt past one of their versatile forms – The Andamooka Matrix Opal. What makes these opals stand apart is their ability to absorb a black dye, thereby enhancing their rich, vivid colours. This treatment called sugar and acid treatment, highlights their stunning play-of-colour.

Andamooka's Most Famous Jewellery

The Queen’s Opal, also known as the Andamooka Opal, is one of the most iconic gemstones in royal history. This remarkable opal was gifted to Queen Elizabeth II during her 1954 royal tour of Australia. Mined in Andamooka, South Australia, the 203-carat stone is renowned for its vivid play-of-color and exceptional size.

Cut and polished in Adelaide, the opal was set into an elegant opal necklace by jeweller John Pederson of Wendts Ltd., featuring 180 diamonds in a palladium setting. It was presented as a symbol of South Australia's admiration and to showcase the country's rich natural resources.

Worn by the Queen on several occasions, the necklace remains one of the most memorable pieces in the British Royal Family’s jewellery collection. It also played a key role in promoting Australia’s opal mining industry, the largest in the world today.

The Queen’s Opal is a lasting tribute to Australian craftsmanship and gemstone heritage.

Finally, we end our journey through the world of Andamooka Opal. Sought after by many, the rarity of these gemstones enhances their value, making them a fantastic investment. So, for anyone seeking something special, there's no better gift than a token of your affection crafted from Andamooka Opal