The opal would be presented to Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her first visit to Australia. Altmann & Cherny submitted an outstanding piece of rough opal which had been mined at Andamooka.  The Government selected this opal as the most appropriate and befitting gemstone for this auspicious occasion.

The opal was then cut and polished by John Altmann.  Once cut it weighed 203 carats and displayed a magnificent array of colours including red, blue and green.  It was set with diamonds into an 18 carat palladium necklet.