During her 6-month Commonwealth Tour, the Queen received the spectacular Andamooka Opal Necklace and Earrings as a gift from the government and people of South Australia, which was presented during a Banquet in Adelaide on this day in 1954, 60 years ago.
A striking Diamond Necklace, set with the spectacular 203 carat ‘Andamooka’ opal, along with a pair of opal and diamond earrings, was a gift to the Queen from the people and government of South Australia during her six-month Commonwealth Tour.
The 203 carat ‘Andamooka’ opal, given to The Queen by the People of South Australia on 23 March 1954, is set in the necklace and is said to be the finest quality stone found from the Andamooka opal fields, South Australia, where it was discovered in 1949.
The centre stone of the necklet presented to-night lo the Queen is the superb An- damooka Opal, which weighs more than 200 carats. It is one of the biggest and finest quality white opals ever found in Australia. The suite of necklet and earrings contains three white opals and80 diamonds mounted in 18-carat palladium. It was designed and manufactured in Adelaide.
The rough stone from which the centre piece was cut was found in. 1949 at a depth of 30 feet oh the Andamooka opal fields west of Oodnadatta.
Mr. Playford told the Queen: “So far as we know the Andamooka Opal is the finest and largest opal of its kind in Australia.”
The Queen (wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara and Greville Ruby Necklace) was presented with the Andamooka Opal Necklace from the Premier of South Australia a Banquet hosted by the Governor and Lady George at Parliament House in Adelaide.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were tendered a State banquet to-night. The South Australian Government’s gift to the Queen was a glittering opal and diamond necklet and set of earrings. the Duke was presented with opal sleeve-links.
The famous Andamooka opal, a fiery white, stone of 203 carats, was presented to the Queen” tonight as South Australia’s gift. It ls flanked by two smaller white opals in á necklet set with 180 diamonds. Opal and diamond earrings match the necklet. The Queen appeared delighted with the gift when she received it from the Premier (Mr. Playord), at a parliamentary banquet.
White opal cuff links, mounted in white gold, were presented to the Duke of Edinburgh. The Andamooka opal is celebrated as one of the finest ever found in Australia.
The rough stone measured four inches by two inches when it was turned over by a miner’s pick at Andamooka, South Australia, in 1949.
The following evening, the Queen wore the Andamooka Opal Necklace with Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara for the Royal Music Festival at the Wayville Oval.
At the Music Festival, the Queen sported a magnificent green-fire Andamooka Opal pendant set in diamonds-the opal weighing a massive 203 carats. This pendant necklace-along with a matching pair of drop earrings-was a gift from the government of South Australia.
The Music Festival 70 years ago was the only time the Andamooka Opal Necklace was worn in public, but has been displayed at a couple of exhibits at Buckingham Palace. With King Charles and Queen Camilla planned to go on a big Royal Tour of Australia later this year, lets hope the striking Andamooka Opal Necklace makes another appearance!
