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Dipti Nair
Doha
Some of the finest opals from Australia are now on display at the Australian Embassy in Qatar. The display of more than 60 opal specimens is on loan from the South Australian Museum. The items have been selected from the South Australian Museum's recent record-breaking Opal exhibition.
The Virgin Rainbow and Fire of Australia ” two of the finest opals ever unearthed ” are on display for the first time outside of Australia.
The display of the precious gemstones is the result of a growing relationship between Australia and Qatar, which also saw the commencement of Qatar Airways direct flights to multiple locations in Australia.
South Australian Museum Director Brian Oldman, who is in Qatar for the opening of the exhibition, said he was thrilled to share the finest specimens of Australia's national gemstone with the people of Qatar.
œThe,Virgin Rainbow, worth over $1 million (AUSD), is the finest crystal opal specimen ever unearthed, and was 100 million years in the making, ? said Oldman.
œIt has only been on public display once before, and will provide visitors to the exhibition with an unmatched spectacle of colour and beauty, ? he said.
Oldman said that the Doha display is just one instance of the South Australian Museum's collections being recognised globally. The display of the collection in Qatar is an attempt by the museum to further foster international understanding of Australia's scientific, cultural and economic prosperity and prowess.
The exhibition is being held in collaboration with the chief sponsor and official airline, Qatar Airways, the Museum of Islamic Art, the Shangri La Hotel and DHL.
The exhibition will run until June 15 at the Australian Embassy in Qatar, located in the Tornado Tower, West Bay, Doha.
