Deep Belahs

Deep Belahs (or Deep Belars) is an opal field located on the hill north of Hawk’s Nest. It was discovered in 1911 by Jim Steele and Frank Witchel.

The field produced mostly green-orange opal, the orange being particularly bright. Opal was found at an average depth of 50 feet in broken levels. Some of the best opal was formed as replacement shell fossils lining the roof and extending into the overlying sandstone. Although quality was often good, production was limited.

According to The Lightning Ridge Book by Stuart Lloyd, production by 1967 totalled just £5,600. Two claims accounted for most of the output, with one stone sold for £140.

Despite the name, more mulga than belah trees remain on the site today.

• Deep Belah’s @ MinView.

Article: Research by Russell Gawthorpe and Leisa Carney, edited by Russell Gawthorpe. LRHS research compiled by Len Cram and Barbara Moritz. Sources: The Lightning Ridge Book, Stuart Lloyd, 1967, p. 60; Lightning Ridge - The Home of the Black Opal: Unique to the World, Gan Bruce, 1983, p. 75; The Occurrence of Opal at Lightning Ridge and Grawin, with Geological Notes on County Finch, J. W Whiting & R. E. Relph, 1958, p. 10; Discover Opals: Before and Beyond 2000 with Surface Indications, Stephen Aracic, 1996, p. 148.