Opal miners are hoping improved sales via the internet may signal a revival for the national gemstone.
The industry has slumped since the global financial crisis, with world demand dropping and some prospectors abandoning their mines. But Paul Sedawie, from the Australian Opal Association, says high-end opals are now selling well online, and new market opportunities are also emerging.
"In one month, we actually sold five stones ranging for $20,000 to $35,000 on the internet site and this is quite a rare thing to happen," he said. "And funnily enough, one of the new increasing markets is now Russia. Russians are actually good customers for stones."