Flame Queen Opal

[1] The Flame Queen's flat central raised dome flashes red or gold depending on the angle of view, and is surrounded by a band of deep blue-green, giving the stone an appearance somewhat like that of a fried egg.

The Flame Queen weighs 263.18 carats (52.636 g) and is somewhat triangular in shape, measuring 7.0 x 6.3 x 1.2 centimeters (2.75 x 2.50 x .50 inches).

The Flame Queen was discovered in 1914 by three partners: Jack Philips, Walter Bradley and "Irish" Joe Hegarty, at the Bald Hill Workings, Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, Australia.

Tunneling down at around 30 feet (9.1 m) revealed no trace of the tell-tale coloring in the clay that indicates the likely presence of opal.

However, despite the poor ventilation and the constant danger of tunnel collapse, Bradley and Philips wanted to continue digging.