The Suite Mintabie

The most spectacular parcel ever to come out of South Australia.
This parcel is legendary. Every miner dreams of finding its match.
Everyone who has ever seen it, measures all other opal by it.
Every seller mourns the loss.

15cts Suite Mintabie triangle

Technically, the material is 'dark crystal'.
It was found in the late 1980's in the small mining town of Mintabie.
All of the parcel has proved to be perfectly healthy,
with no 'old' cracks, inclusions, or tendency to cloud or crack.

Originally, it was mostly 'flats', rather than large rounded pieces.
When cut on the broad face (as in the picture above), it shows brilliant large orange to green fire.
When cut 90 degrees off the face, it is even more brilliant, showing red-orange to ultra-violet fire
that dives and swirls deep into the stone.

Most of the original stones of the suite are already sold.
The very best of them were made into world class jewelry.

But there are a few stones still available :

A perfect lozenge.
One of the first cross-cut 'sisters'.
Mate for the 'Morning Sky' Ring.
Totally beyond imagination.

4.09cts 19.75 x 6 x 4.25
Sorry... this stone is SOLD
Extra Pics: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Another perfect lozenge.
The short one of the 'sisters'
Some sand on sides

3.30cts 16.5 x 6.25 x 4.25
t4558 : $4950

Extra Pics: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
[7] [8]

Thinner than most of the sisters,
But you can't stifle that fire.

2.92cts 18 x 7 x 2.75
t4577 : $2800

Extra Pics: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Odd shaped, but clean.
Totally full of that fire.

1.60cts 12.5 x 6.5 x 4
t4536 : $3200

Extra Pics: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Nice ring shape, clean.
Not as full as others.

2.48cts 14.5 x 7 x 3.5
t4545 : $1800

Extra Pics: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
[7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Very nice little ring stone.
Full of fire and clean.

1.51cts 12 x 5 x 3.25
t4525 : $3000

Extra Pics: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

The thinnest of the family.
But absolutely full of fire.
A little sand on one edge.

1.36cts 16 x 6 x 2
t4586 : $1000

Extra Pics: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

The tiniest of the stones.
Totally full of fire, and clean.
Concave back. Thin edges.
0.58cts 8.5 x 6.25 x 2.25
t4517 : $390

Extra Pics: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Unlike diamonds, which are hoarded in 55 gallon drums in warehouses to hold up their value,
there will never be more than one hand-full of the "Suite Mintabie".

If you are seriously interested in any of these stones,
go to the Order page and let us know.

About the photographs

Let's hear from you,
Kindest regards,
MURRAY WILLIS

Last modified: July 22, 2007
Murray Willis