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Early 1900s
- In conclusion, the origins of Lightning Ridge black opal can be traced back to the early 1900s when its immense potential was discovered. The discovery of black opal in Lightning Ridge by Charles Nettleton marked a significant turning point in the history of opal mining.
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Jul 19, 2024 · The story of Lightning Ridge opals began in the late 19th century when the first opals were discovered in the area. Early settlers found these vibrant stones while digging for water, but it wasn't until the early 20th century that mining operations began in earnest.
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- Nettleton
- Black Opal: The Legends
- The Mystical Allure
- Elsie and Hector Jenkins
- The Sweep of History
- To The Present Day
The second settlement on the Lightning Ridge diggings was named Nettleton, after Charlie Nettleton, recognized as the founder of the Black Opal industry. He had been a miner at White Cliffs, a blistering hot town in the far west of New South Wales. In 1901, on a visit to the Lightning Ridge district, Nettleton was shown a handful of black stones fo...
The are many stories of the mythology behind black opal. Some may have a basis in Aboriginal legend; more likely they are apocryphal, made up for the tourist trade. But one legend that has more authenticity than most is the following, which is based on a myth told by Charlie Nettleton to choreographer Dawn Swane. The story formed the basis for the ...
Opal speaks to people. The colour rolls as you move. Every opal is unique. They are like fingerprints. There is a saying: And so for many people it would seem to be; these fragments formed in the Cretaceous Period, 120 million years ago — the so-called Age of Dinosaurs. If it weren’t for opal miners, the opalized fossils being unearthed at Lightnin...
There is so much history and so many stories associated with Lightning Ridge it is almost impossible to know where to begin. But one of the best known is of Elsie and Hector Jenkins, who did much to spread the fame of black opal worldwide. The couple were short, barely five foot, and, inseparable as they were, became known collectively as “Tiny Tow...
In the early 1900s Lightning Ridge was booming. By 1910 there were more than a thousand people on the diggings. The first bush nurse arrived in 1914. In 1916 came the first permanent police. There were circuses and races — bicycle, foot and horse, both registered and unregistered — in the thriving community. Mining was done by hand-windlasses using...
The 1980s and 1990s were boom years in the opal fields. Miners would gather in the pubs at 10 in the morning having their breakfast beer, with money and opal in their pockets. Every day held the promise of windfall gains. The Japanese market could not get enough of black opal. The town had the highest sales of alcohol and diesel in New South Wales....
Jul 1, 2024 · The geological formation of Lightning Ridge Opal is a fascinating process that unfolds over millions of years, involving specific geological conditions and interactions. Here’s an overview of how Lightning Ridge Opals are formed: Origin of Opal: Opals are a type of mineraloid, meaning they lack a crystal structure.
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Sep 16, 2016 · HISTORY. Opal was discovered in Lightning Ridge in the late 1880s, but its value was not recognized until Charlie Nettleton sank the first shaft in 1903 and sold the first parcel of black opal later that year. The town dramatically expanded with the influx of miners from White Cliff, another world-famous opal mining area in Australia.
Nov 23, 2023 · The history of opal shows in Lightning Ridge dates back to the early 1900s when opal mining began in the area. As the opal industry grew, so did the need for a platform to showcase the opals and connect miners with potential buyers.
- Martyn Jones
Feb 2, 2024 · History of the Lightning Ridge Black Opal. In 1901, Charles Nettleton, a boundary rider by trade, encountered a colorful and remarkable opal near Lightning Ridge during a camping trip. This remarkable find signified the potential of Lightning Ridge to become a significant source of black opal.
Lightning Ridge is one of the few places in the world where the precious and highly prized black opal is found. Unlike other opal, the black opal contains carbon and iron oxide trace elements, producing a very dark stone which has hints of blue, green and red play of colour.
