Opalescent Fossil Shells

February 25, 2021

Fossil shells

Photographer: Mila Zinkova 
Summary Author: Mila Zinkova

Seen above are two opalised fossil shells found in Coober Pedy, Australia. The name Coober Pedy comes from the Aboriginal words kupa pity and means "white man in a hole" because the opals are collected in mines. These opals were first discovered in 1915 by an accident when a teenage boy found a few rocks while his father and he were looking for gold. The opalescent play-of-color in these gems can be seen In this video.

Photo Details: Camera: Apple iPhone 6; Software: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Windows; Exposure Time: 0.0037s (1/273); Aperture: ƒ/2.2; ISO equivalent: 32; Focal Length (35mm): 75