Despite reports that HM commented on how lovely the Andamooka suite was
HM has been photographed wearing the necklace only once since she was formally presented with the jewels. I have never seen a photograph of HM wearing the earrings.
QEII in Adelaide in 1954 wearing the Andamooka opal necklace with a pearl tiara and pearl earrings.
One of the things which has always interested me is what is the basic colour of the Andamooka Opal?
There are two different photos in circulation. One suggests a yellow/greenish colour, the other blue. Undoubtedly the different colour could be the result of either different lightning or even the type of colour film used.
Technically opals from Andamooka are classified as white opals, but the colour range seen in such opals is varied.
When the jewels were presented in 1954 the necklace was described as having white opals.
The Andamooka Opal was cut and polished by a Sydney jeweller, John Altman. The firm's website features the Andamooka Opal. Please scroll down to the third item in this page https://www.altmanncherny.com.au/famous
I agree with Mike. The size of the Andamooka Opal doesn't lend itself to being worn in a necklace. In photographs the opal overwhelms the delicate design of the rest of the necklace; perhaps when seen in reality it might look different. But what could be done with such an enormous stone?
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