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'OPAL
IDENTIFICATION AND
VALUE' Revised, Expanded and Updated. 2003 Paul
Downings first release of this book back in 1992 was the pinnacle
of its class for the time, but this new edition explains points
in a much more understanding language.
His methodology in the valuation of opal is very easy to follow
and apply. This is an extremely valuable book for all
gemologists and valuers. MORE..
'DETERMINED' A very apt title
for Stephen Aracic's latest book. 2003
This is basically a bibliography of the facinating life of
Stephen Aracic. His struggle for freedom from Marshall Tito's
regime in socialist Yugoslavia, to his present day life at
the town of Lighning Ridge in outback Australia.
He tells of his early life in Bosnia as a child and becoming
a young man; his determination to escape the poverty and miserable
existence. Free of his oppresive homeland he emigrates to
Australia, and once here he makes a new life for himself.
An extremley interesting read. MORE..
'This is a view across the "Smith's 6" opal field in Lightning
Ridge showing mullock heaps scattered about.
To the left is a machine mounted on a truck, this is called a blower.
It is like a super vacuum cleaner which sucks up the opal dirt from
the floor of the mine to the surface .
It is then dumped into a tip truck and taken to the agitators for
washing.'
