On February 20, local time, a giant opal with a total weight of more than 11,800 carats (about 2.36 kilograms) was auctioned in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, and the transaction price was $144,000.
Reportedly one of the largest gem-quality opals in existence, the opal was owned by Fred von Brandt, a gold miner in Alaska, prior to the auction.
Von Brandt's grandfather bought the opal from Australian businessman John Altman in the late 1950s.
This opal has since made several appearances at jewelry fairs.
Opal is a water-containing amorphous silica, also known as "opal" because its main origin is Australia.
(produced by Le Xiaomin)
Responsible editor: [Luo Pan]