I might just give it a try, very interesting, very interesting article.
I'm quite a long way from any opal mines, its mostly gold mining around my area. There are a lot of beautiful quartz crystals in my area though, people plough them up in the paddocks.
I do have access to some very pure silica, would this be suitable?
My Dad has done a lot of sapphire prospecting and I have several gems that he has found over the years, some very dark blue ones which I've had cut and polished. My friend and I will be going gold nugget hunting next winter, the same area we'll be travelling to, is also known for meteorites, so I'll keep my eyes peeled