Coober Pedy

Curated by Maggie Liu · Updated:

Australia · South Australia
Opal from Coober Pedy, Australia
Photo: Dpulitzer · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Coober Pedy, in South Australia, is one of the world's main sources of precious opal and the famous “opal capital”.

About Coober Pedyextended article

Coober Pedy, in South Australia, is known as the 'opal capital of the world' and has supplied a large share of the world's precious opal.

Opal in the outback

Precious opal at Coober Pedy formed in cavities and seams within weathered sedimentary rock. The town is famous for its underground 'dugout' homes, dug to escape the desert heat.

Signature minerals

The signature is precious opal with vivid play-of-color, including opalised fossils and shells. Bright, multi-colour opal is the locality's hallmark.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Coober Pedy?

Coober Pedy is a mineral locality in South Australia, Australia. It lies at approximately 29.0100°S, 134.7500°E. Elevation is about 220 m.

What minerals are found at Coober Pedy?

Signature minerals from Coober Pedy include Opal. The locality lies in South Australia, Australia, and each mineral links to a full reference entry with formula, crystal system, and collector notes.

What is Coober Pedy known for?

Coober Pedy, in South Australia, is one of the world's main sources of precious opal and the famous “opal capital”.

Looking for specimens from Coober Pedy?

Our inventory is one-of-a-kind and turns over quickly. Tell us what you're after and we'll notify you when a matching Coober Pedy specimen arrives from our sourcing network.

Request a specimen

Related Localities