{"product_id":"australian-opal-mintabie-rub-specimen","title":"Australian Opal Mintabie Rub \/ Specimen","description":"Australian Opal Rubs Parcel \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nTotal weight: 860cts\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n89x96x21mm\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nA spectacular piece of Australian opal from the legendary Mintabie Opal Field in South Australia, displaying beautiful play of colour!\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nMintabie opal has become increasingly difficult to obtain. Following the closure of the Mintabie township and major changes to mining access and regulation, very few miners remain actively working the field compared with its heyday. This makes genuine Mintabie material, particularly larger, colourful pieces like this an increasingly special piece of Australian opal mining history.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nOne side of this piece has been rubbed and polished to reveal the stunning colour beneath, while the reverse has intentionally been left in its natural, untouched rough state.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nAcross the polished face you’ll find predominantly bright electric greens, accompanied by beautiful flashes of red, orange, yellow and blue. Different areas of colour come alive as the opal is moved and viewed from different angles.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is a particularly interesting piece because it offers two possibilities. An experienced cutter could potentially work the material further and explore the colour within, giving it exciting cutting potential. Alternatively, it could be left exactly as it is and enjoyed as an impressive Mintabie opal specimen, preserving much of its original natural form.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nPLEASE NOTE: There is a natural fracture on one side of the stone, which can be seen in the photographs. If the intention is cutting I do believe this fracture can be worked out of the stone. The stone itself has been in its current state for many years and no further cracking or crazing has been observed. \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nIf you are seriously considering purchasing this piece, please contact us before buying. We would be more than happy to provide a very detailed look over the entire stone, including a long video showing the opal from multiple angles, so you can properly assess the colour, natural fracture, rough back and overall condition before making your decision.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nBuy directly from a miner!\u003cbr\u003e\nTo watch our opal mining adventures, check out our YouTube: ‘Young Guns Opal Hunters‘.","brand":"Young Guns Opal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49024038404281,"sku":"BigMint","price":5000.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0547\/5388\/6393\/files\/il_fullxfull.8482218379_1ax5.jpg?v=1787751047","url":"https:\/\/younggunsopalhunters.com\/products\/australian-opal-mintabie-rub-specimen","provider":"Young Guns Opal Hunters","version":"1.0","type":"link"}