The Koninderie Matrix Opal A Natural Matrix Opal Microcrystalline Quartz Opal Koninderie - an Aboriginal name for rainbow. The Koninderie matrix opal was discovered in Andamooka, South Australia. When discovered the original weight of the matrix opal was 65.7 kilograms, and at the time believed to be the world's largest natural matrix opal. The matrix opal was cut in half in 1975. A news release in 1975 writes of Mr Bill Moriarty, a Perth gemmologist, being commissioned to cut the specimen with Dr John Daniels as the consulting geologist. According to information available at the time the process took two days to slice through the opal using specially designed equipment. Approximately 10 kilos of opal dust was lost in the cutting process. Of the two pieces, one remained complete, the other half cut into many varying sizes, taking a further six months of cutting. A significant piece of the opal was exhibited at the Mineral Science Division of the Smithsonian Museum, Washington Dc, America in the 1990's Provenance: Multiplex Group