Live Breaking News & Updates on Illed As One Of The Largest Gem Quality Opals In Existence

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. ....

United States , New South Wales , Big Lake , 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 ,