Over USD 200,000 worth of top grade harl [Getty Images]

COOBER PEDY, AUSTRALIA: Over USD 200,000 worth of top grade harlequin opals and rare opalised shells (L) are displayed for sale in the opal mining town of Coober Pedy, 05 July 2005. Only 200 miners still search for the rainbow-hued gems in the outback town of 3,500 residents situated 840 kms north of Adelaide. AFP PHOTO/Torsten BLACKWOOD (Photo credit should read TORSTEN BLACKWOOD/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP TORSTEN BLACKWOOD