“There have been one or two previous instances where my ancestors while holding the opal have experienced exceptionally good luck, but, personally, I have not ever paid much regard to the old tradition. You may imagine, however, that the gem will be most carefully preserved by me.” THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN OPAL CHAPTER XXIII THE FLAME QUEEN “_But who can paint Like Nature? Can imagination boast Amid its gay creation hues like hers?_” THOMSON. The Flame Queen, the rarest stone yet won from the barren sun-baked opal fields of Lightning Ridge, New South Wales, near the borders of Queensland, Australia—takes its place amongst the famous gems of the world. It is a large oval-shaped stone measuring 2.8 inches by 2.3 inches and weighing 253 carats. In structure and colour phenomena it is unique—the centre slightly in relief whilst the surrounding border stands out boldly as a frame to a picture. Looking directly on to the stone the inspiration of the name becomes manifest. The centre, a deep flame, burns scarlet, and two slight depressions almost parallel to each other give the impression of fire mountains in eruptive action, the lower of which flings two triangular shafts towards the enclosing green frame. Viewed from another angle the burning centre yields as if by magic to a field of cool yet vivid emerald, and the frame to a royal blue. Another angle shows a bronze centre touched with points of darker hue within a frame of changing blue and amethyst. The stone is chameleon-like, bewildering in its living beauty. [Illustration: Other Aspects of the Great Opal “The Flame Queen” Kelsey I. Newman Collection _See also Frontispiece_ ] This stone is the choicest gem in the Kelsey I. Newman collection of rare opals and precious stones. On the 6th of March, 1916, Mr. Allan Harris of Brisbane submitted the gem to the Queensland Geological Survey. In the course of his report Mr. B. Dunstan, the chief Government Geologist, mentions that the back of the stone “is impressed with what appears to be a fossil plant called GINKO, which occurs in the Jurassic ricks of Queensland but not in association with any opal deposits. The stone is a wonderful specimen and much the largest gem of its class that has ever come under my notice.” This beautiful opal—unlike some other famous gems mentioned in this book—is said to have brought good fortune to all who have been associated with it. CHAPTER XXIV VARIOUS KINDS OF OPAL