Processing Opal
How to process the Opal level once it is in your truck
Most opal miners today used a 8 m cement mixer after loading the Opal Clay in to the agitater we slowly rumble the clay with a continual flow of water running into the mixture of Opal and clay, the agitater has very fine mesh plates cut in to the side of the drum and as it rotates the clay will turn to a fine sludge and run through the mesh, after a few hours you are left with solid tailings which when finish this step, the agitater is reversed and the Opal tailing run out on to a table in full sunlight. The opal miners then will look for colour and nobbys.
Types of opal on the lightning Ridge Opal feels
Mining seam Opal is different to the Opal nobby you can still find Opal claims with both. Most of the time you use water to agitate the Opal Clay when it comes to the Opal nobby feels around the town of lightning Ridge . Seem Opal you will find a lot of guys that do not wash as it is a lot easier to dig it all out why you are underground as long as you have good lights good eyes and of course good ears the Opal seam country also can produce some beautiful crystal Opal. Lightning Ridge nobby claims can produce a great combination you can find beautiful black Opal gorges crystal Opal and also seam all in the same claim, and other times you will find black Opal which is definitely a bonus expressly if you find multicolour predominate red on black Opal, which demands the best prices by far from the Opal buys that visit the town of lightning Ridge.
Historical Society was formed in 1982 to protect an abandoned miner's hut in the main street of Lightning Ridge. Western Lands declared the block a Crown Reserve, Historical Reserve No. 96499. Today, the hut is maintained as a token to the old timers, and open for inspection most days to locals and visitors Occupied for forty years by Sid and George Graham, who extended their endless "verandah hospitality", the hut was built in 1932 by Albert Spicer when he struck opal. His son Mal still visits the Ridge and has presented the Society with original photos of his father and their camp at the 3 Mile. Known today as Heritage Cottage, the hut offers tourist information and select handcrafted items are for sale in an historical setting. The bark dividing walls, dirt floors and kerosene tin chimney are typical of early Ridge architecture. The original wood stove may belt out heat, sending up whiffs of smoke, on a cold winter's morn!
Telephone:+61 731033023 {Skype name: midnight507}