Height
3 meters
Year Built
1999
Address
Morilla Street, Lightning Ridge, NSW 2834
The Lowdown
The Big Opal in Lightning Ridge celebrates Australia's stunning national gemstone in the town that produces the world's most valuable black opals. This dazzling sculpture captures the iridescent play of colors that makes Australian opals the most sought-after in the world - flashes of red, blue, green, and orange dancing across the stone's surface. Lightning Ridge sits atop the largest and richest black opal deposits on Earth, where generations of miners have dug into the earth seeking their fortune. The town is a unique outback community where everyone from weekend fossickers to millionaire miners shares a passion for the beautiful stones hidden in the ancient seabed beneath their feet.
Did you know?
"Black opals from Lightning Ridge are the most valuable opals in the world"
History
The Big Opal was erected in 1999 to celebrate Lightning Ridge's status as the black opal capital of the world. Opal was discovered here in the early 1900s, and miners have been extracting these precious stones ever since. A single black opal can sell for over $10,000 per carat, making Lightning Ridge stones among the most valuable gems on Earth. The town remains a working opal field where anyone can try their luck fossicking.
More Fun Facts
- •Australia produces 95% of the world's opals
- •Black opals from Lightning Ridge are the most valuable opals in the world
- •Opals were formed 100 million years ago when Australia was covered by an inland sea
- •The largest black opal found was the 'Light of the World' at 2,340 carats
- •Lightning Ridge has free hot artesian baths heated by underground springs
Visiting Tips
- 💡Try fossicking on the public opal fields - you might find your own gem!
- 💡Visit the underground opal showrooms for stunning displays
- 💡The free artesian baths are a must-do outback experience
- 💡Take an underground mine tour to see how opals are extracted
- 💡Buy directly from miners for the best prices on authentic opals
Opening Hours
The Big Opal can be viewed at any time.
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Big Lizzie
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Big Potato
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