Gigantic opal sells for about $144,000 at Alaska auction

The opal is larger than a brick and is broken into two pieces, which von Brandt said was a practice used decades ago to prove gem quality.

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Australia ,California ,United States ,Anchorage ,Alaska ,Oregon ,Sydney ,New South Wales ,Big Lake ,Australian ,Nick Cline ,Americus Australis ,Fiona Altmann ,John Altmann ,Rudi Cherny ,Associated Press ,Alaska Premier Auctions ,A Gemstone ,Illed As One Of The Largest Gem Quality Opals In Existence ,As Sold For 143 ,750 At Auction In Alaska On Sunday The Opal ,Ubbed The Americus Australis ,Eighs More Than 11 ,800 Carats ,Ccording To The Auction House Alaska Premier Auctions Amp Appraisals It Also Hasa Long History Most Recently ,T Was Kept Ina Linen Closet Home In Big Lake ,Orth Of Anchorage ,Y Fred Von Brandt ,Ho Mines For Gold In Alaska And Whose Family Has Deep Roots The Gem Rock Business Opal Is Larger Thana Brick Broken Into Two Pieces ,Hich Von Brandt Said Wasa Practice Used Decades Ago To Prove Gem Quality The Stone Has Been In His Family Since Late 1950s ,Hen His Grandfather Bought It From An Australian Opal Dealer Named John Altmann Von Brandt Said The For Decades Was In Care Of Father ,Uy Von Brandt ,Ho Decided It Had Been Locked Up Long Enough ,Hat Its Time To Put It Back Out In The World And See What Interest Can Generate He Entrusted Me Figure Which Direction We Wanted Go Part With Stone ,On Brandt Told The Associated Press Family ,Ith Roots In California ,Xhibited The Stone At Gem Shows For Years ,Ntil The Early 1980s ,E Said His Father Then Branched Out Into Furniture And Displayed It At Shop Guy Von Brandt Eventually Moved To Oregon Kept The Stone Kind Of Tucked Away For Many Years ,On Brandt Said Von He Brought It With Him To Alaska Overa Year Ago As Weighed The Best Approach Toa Possible Sale Went Premier Auctions Amp Appraisals Because Thought Would Get More Attention From Newer Company Thana Larger Auction House Is Set For Sunday Nick Cline ,A Partner And Appraisal Specialist With Alaska Premier Auctions Amp Appraisals ,Aid The Family Has Documentation Surrounding Provenance Of Opal As Part His Research ,E Contacted Fiona Altmann ,Randdaughter Of John Altmann And General Manager Cherny In Sydney ,Ustralia Altmann Said Her Grandfather ,N His Business Dealings ,Ade Regular Trips To Europe And The Us Altmann Said When Cline Emailed Her ,He Was Skeptical The Name Of Stone ,In Particular ,Hrew Her But She Said Started Digging And Discovered Something With My Grandfathers Handwriting The Picture Of Opal Word Americus Australisi 100 Certainty Know That Their Provenance Information Is Accurate Because It Lines Up Has ,He Said The Auction House Stone Was Discovered In Same Field Australia As Opal Known Olympic Australis ,Hich Weighs 17 ,000 Carats And Is On Permanent Display In Altmanns Shop The Olympic Had Been Among Stones That John Altmann Partner Rudi Cherny Acquired 1956 ,Ccording To Altmanns Company The Auction Soughta Minimum Bid Of 125 ,000 During Sundays Auction Cline Said It Wasa Calculated Risk ,Ith The Company Going With What It Sees Asa Conservative Approach In Hopes Of Garnering Most Attention We Were Honored To Conduct Auction This Unique ,Ne Ofa Kind Specimen ,Line Said After The Auction Sale Includesa Smaller Piece Of Opal That Von Brandt His Father Cut Off To Be Worn Or Displayed ,Ap News ,Gigantic Opal Sells For About 144 ,000 At Alaska Auction ,Krhd 25 News ,Kxxv 25 News ,