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(click here for details) REVERSE MOSAIC INLAY of BLACK/FIRE OPALS LIGHTNING RIDGE AUSTRALIA Artist & Mine Owner Harry Kidd NOTE: The photos neither depict the intensity or the true color & sparkle of the opals. This art cannot be truly appreciated through pictures. HARRY KIDD, owner of LIGHTNING RIDGE, AUSTRALIA, one of the richest black opal mines, made this piece. It took almost 15 years to complete. There are over 5500 individually cut and polished pieces of black opal that make up the design. A 24″ x 24″ piece of glass was laid face down and the entire background was covered with a black lacquer. Then, with hand tools and in reverse, the design of the AMERICAN INDIAN in a full length feather head-dress, chaps, moccasins, jewelry and carrying a spear, riding a NATIVE AMERICAN WAR HORSE, was etched on to the back of the glass. Each one of the opals was strategically inlaid throughout the MOSAIC. Much like dominos are set. Every stone was hand crafted for a center of balance and made to fit that specific placement. After all the gems were in place, a black, gluey substance was poured over the work to press the pieces flush against the back of the glass. In other words, the back of the art is lumped with BLACK OPALS, some as large as a full carat. There is NO glue between each stone and the glass. It’s as if they were suctioned on to the surface. Obviously, there is no question that the artist has an advanced talent to manipulate the opals for maximum color and sparkle …