PAIR OF OPAL EARRINGS AND NECKLACE

1954

Wendts Limited


On 23 March 1954, the People of South Australia gave The Queen the ‘Andamooka’ Opal as a token of their loyalty and affection.

The opal weighs 203 carats and was found at the Andamooka Opal Fields, west of Oodnadatta in South Australia in 1949. It is said to be the finest-quality opal ever found in the Andamooka Fields, partly because of its size (the rough stone from which it was cut measured 10 x 5 cm), but also because of the intensity of the fire and flashes of colour in the stone.

The opal was cut and polished by John Altmann and set in a palladium and diamond scrollwork necklace designed and made by Wendts Limited of Adelaide with matching earrings.

The Royal Collection © 2009,
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
RCINs 250038, 250039

The Royal Collection © 2012,
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
RCINs 250038, 250039




“THE ANDAMOOKA OPAL” ALSO KNOWN AS “THE QUEEN’S OPAL”

Altmann & Cherny had become synonymous in the world of Australian Opal.

As such in 1954 when the South Australian Government wanted to present Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II a gift in honour of her Royal visit to Australia they turned to Altmann & Cherny to find an Australian Opal of exceptional beauty and quality.

The finest gem crystal Opal ever mined at the Andamooka Opal fields was selected.

The opal was cut and polished into 6 stones by John Altmann. Once cut it weighed 203 carats and displayed a magnificent array of colours including RED, BLUE AND GREEN.

The South Australian Government purchased 5 of these stones which were then made into a necklace, earrings and cufflinks.

The necklace was made by Wendts & Co. an old jeweller who held the Warrent of the Late Prince Alfred from 1863 or so. It was set with diamonds into an 18 carat palladium necklet with matching earrings,

The Government presented this amazing suite of jewellery to HRH Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Phillip during their Royal tour to Australia in 1954, at a state banquet in Adelaide. She wore it once or twice during this first and a second tour, but not afterwards.

“The Andamooka Opal” as the necklace became known was on display at Buckingham Palace in 2009, were Claire Altmann was fortunate to see these amazing Opals which her father had lovingly cut and polished 55 years previously. John Altmann always maintained it was the finest opal he had ever polished.

The 6th opal cut from this incredible piece of rough Opal was sold to a private collector from Chicago, U.S.A.

http://www.altmanncherny.com.au/famous