I know Lightning Ridge opals and Coober Pedy opals but had never heard of the Matrix type before until we were walking down the street in Blackall yesterday.

They are really nice and completely different to the other kind and me being me and liking things different couldn't help myself and had to go in and have a look.

The owner, Rod Johns took us out the back to show us some uncut versions and there were a few pieces there that took my fancy.  He said if we came back today he would work on the bits of rock that I had picked out and show me what they end up like.

Needless to say I am now the proud owner of three beautiful Matrix opals.  Rod couldn't have been more helpful and actually discounted the pieces by a fair bit.

I don't care what their value is they are what I like and that's what's important.

If you are into opals and are going through Blackall you can find Rod halfway down the main street.  He also buys rough parcels.  He seems like a very genuine sort of bloke and even offered to send some to me if anybody was interested with the appropriate price list and I can just send back the ones we don't need.  How's that for trust.  Only in a country town do you find people like this.

To top it all off he told Blue where his favourite fishing spot is and even gave him a bag of bait to keep him happy.

If you want any more information, about the opals that is, (if you want the secret fishing spot you will have to ask Bluey) send me a PM and I'll give you Rod's contact details.

One of mine looks very similar to that one SD and from what the bloke told me most of his are from Yowah

Thanks for the info.

No worries Ma.........glad to help...

It looks like a beautiful stone. This country holds so many secret wonders to discover. That's why travel is so much fun. It's great to be out there enjoying it. Bring it on!

Smokeydk...Clever man. That photo is very good. Speaking from experience..it's extremely hard to photograph an opal. We go to the Ridge quite a lot...also outside of Middleton, for boulder opal. Going to the Ridge in September. We actually camp at Grawin. Just love the stuff. Cheers Dellie

Hi DellieMay, fascinating area west of Middleton around Cawpore(?) lookout. Where abouts do you go & do you require access permision? We have been to Opalton, Duck Ck, Yowah, Quilpie, Andermooka, Coober Pedy & Mintabie opal fields with some small sucess.

Currently @ Katherine north bound then maybe Gemtree & Plenty Hwy to  Winton & south.

Hi Jimbo. We are lucky enough to have contacts just east of the Middleton pub who are actually boulder mopal miners. That is really hard work. Much easier being little "ferrits" at the Ridge.We were at Gemtree at the beginning of June. Love that zircon!!! Our friends were very lucky this year. They got about 30 cutters over approx 1to2 carats, and the best speciman of zircon I have ever seen. We were there for 8 days. The Plenty was pretty bad. Qld side has a bit more bitumen than 2 years ago and wasn't too bad.....but ..... for 30k east of Harts Range the corrogation was horrific!!! Not one mtr let up for the 30k. We have travelled that road many times, and this year would have to be the worst...but hey.... we all know it changes week to week. I must tell you where to camp on the Qld side for a night or two, if you like redclaw. For the opal at Middleton, you really do need permission. Either from some of the ****ies, or, other miners to invite you. They aren't a very social lot. It's good to talk to a fellow mad fossicer so if there is anyway I can give you info, just yell...and if you want to stop for the redclaw...well.... a hundred mts {after you go over the Georgina}, heading east, hang a right. It's pretty rough, but a couple of ks up there you will see a track heading back to the river. Its a really good camping spot..very clean, and immediate access to the water. Sandy creek bed,and it looks like once upon a time, the road builders would drive down ther for their water. The redclaw were beaut done in a little port and cream!!!! Safe travells mate, Cheers Dellie

Thanks Dellie. We waited in the Alice, for the 1st week this month, for the rain to clear before heading to Gemtree - we were only there 3 days & it rained again. So we packed up & headed north but want to get back to see the Harts Range & do more fossicking. Where did your friend find their zircon - were they @ Mud Tank Bore site or further east? We were told there are better sites east but did not get any directions.
Cheers Jimbo

Definately at mud tank. Dont bother camping at Gemtree. The fields at Mud tank are fine. You do have to get your water at Gemtree tho. 50c for 20ltrs, I think. The colour of the zircon is soooooo much better from there. Further east is very beer bottle colour,and quality and size is not so good. More known for garnet further east. If you do go to mud tank... as you cross the creek you will see where everyone digs. Don't bother stopping there.....too small....go slightly to the right, up on a rise, approx a couple of hundred mts, and dig there. Some is very shallow, and some very deep. Most beauties were found deep, but that is hard work.LOL. We got some good ones in not so deep digging. We always find the other fossickers are very friendly, and the field "ettiquet"?? is alive and well on those fields. Don't, don't buy any zircons from Gemtree store.... Biggest rip off. More fun finding your own....and I know you will. Plenty there mate. Cheers Dellie