Frederic Mallock’s partner, Damien Leis, proudly displays some of the mine’s black opal production after processing the ore from their mine at Lightning Ridge. Photo by Andrew Lucas/GIA.
Some of the miners complete the entire value chain by mining, cutting, designing, and manufacturing jewelry, and even operating a retail store, like Vicki Bokros at Down to Earth Opals in Lightning Ridge. Photo by Andrew Lucas/GIA.