So back too and finally where and how does this play of colour comes about? It is by the very nature of the gemstones structure.  Precious opal is comprised of tiny spheres all the same size and precisely arranged in a regular and repeating network. As white light enters the gemstone and refracted by these spheres the ‘play of colour’ occurresgiving precious opal its unique beauty.  

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I much prefer the dreaming stories of the Aboriginals of how opal was formed the dreaming revolves around the areas and tribes where opal is found.  These dreamings are as beautiful and unique as the gemstone itself. I started with the tale of why Lightening Ridge, before white man steeped, Wallangulla was so named by the local Yuwaalaraay people, their dreaming andthe crocodile Gurria.  Bhiamie, the supreme spirit, and his two wives Birring Ooloo (mother nature) and Cunnum-Biellie (law maker and teacher) were travelling through the outback unaware that Gurria, wanted their spirits was following them. Bhiamie and his wives went for a swim in a spring, where Gurria swallowed the two women and swam off down the Narran River.  Bhiamie being a good husband tracked Gurria down and speared him at the Weetalibah water crossing.  As Gurria lay dying he rolled over and writhing in death he created a hole by his tail, Coocoran Lake, and a hole by his nose, Angledool Lake.  Before Gurria died it rained and a rainbow appeared. All the colours of the rainbow got trapped in the Gurria’s scales opal was formed. Freeing his wives from Gurria, Bhiamie enlisted the help of Ghee-jar, a little black ant, brought his beloved wives back to life.

 

How unique, beautiful and stunning is that?