Tucson

Tucson

- lapis in Tucson

- Yum Yum

A great start to today and I'm off to attack Tucson. . . .

If you'd like to see photos or brief videos of anything in particular, please email me ( koroit@gmail.com) and let me know.

I might upload a few more pics and videos I took from along the way.

- on the road

- Tucson Trip

Palm Harbor, FL - USA

In a few short hours I'll be on the way to Tucson where I'll be showing some beautiful Koroit boulder opal cabs and specimens.

Keep your eyes open here and on Facebook for a variety of photos from my trip and of the show.

In Tucson I'll be at the Gem & Jewelry Exchange (also known as GJX), in booth 105, February 1 - 6. . . . I hope to see you there!

- Floods

Palm Harbor, FL - USA

For the past year much of Australia has received record breaking amounts of rain. In the past few weeks the rain has been particularly devastating to Queensland. People have been killed and still many are missing - and there has been billions of dollars in damage.

Much of Brisbane is now under water. The river flowing through St George peaked at a bit more than 13 meters above its normal level. At its peak, the river, which normally is less than 50 meters wide was a kilometer wide. Although most of the rain steered clear of Cunnamulla, its residents have not had fresh vegetables or milk for over three weeks because transportation has been cut off.

Although there has been more rain than normal in Koroit, my mines are fine.

- Some pretty cabs

Palm Harbor, FL - USA

- A Ton in Tampa & Rain in QLD

Palm Harbor, FL - USA

At last I've received word that the second ton of rough Koroit opal I shipped home will soon be in my hands. It arrived in Tampa this morning. It was originally scheduled to arrive December 12. Who knows what vagaries of trans-world shipping slowed it down. Of course it still needs to clear US Customs and be delivered to me, but at least now I know it is very close to home.

It has been raining like crazy in Queensland, Australia. The flooding is having a huge negative impact on a variety of businesses. Wheat farmers have been deluged and their crops have been devastated or significantly reduced in yield and quality. Many mines of many types have been flooded and closed. Most coal mines have been closed. Since much of Australian coal is used to process iron ore, the huge drop in coal production has caused the world price of iron / steel to increase.

Luckily, based on a report from a friend of mine, as of a few days ago my mine is fine and pretty dry. However, regions around Koroit and Cunnamulla have been flooded. A friend was stuck in Cunnamulla for several days because many of the roads to Brisbane were closed by high water.

Now back to slicing and cutting . . .