Opalised Fossils: The Paul Sedawie Collection - Australian Opal Centre, Lightning Ridge

In this video we look at an incredible donation of more than 450 opalised fossils from opal fields around the world, generously donated to the Australian Opal Centre by Paul Sedawie.
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Paul shows us some of his favourite pieces from the collection including bivalve molluscs, belemnites, snails, dinosaur bones, plant fossils, turtle shell and so many more incredible pieces.
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00:00 Introduction
02:37 Bivalve Molluscs
05:19 Gastropods
06:44 Belemnites
10:02 Plesiosaur
10:34 Vegetation
13:23 Shark
14:41 Turtle
15:44 Dinosaur
17:29 Fish
18:13 Crocodile
19:00 Odd Formations
21:15 "Pineapples"
23:16 Thoughs on Donating
24:15 End
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Thank YOU for watching!
#opalisedfossils #sedawiecollection #australianopalcentre

[@longlowdog]

What an incredible man, his vision and generosity are seldom seen in mankind today.

[@CuriosityMine]

Could not agree more! Thanks so much for watching and commenting! 😁

[@longlowdog]

@@CuriosityMine My pleasure. Regards from Scotland.

[@annakeye]

One of the first opals I got was a small opalised shell, and I absolutely love it. It cost me next to nothing but the pleasure I get out of looking at its play of colour is priceless.

[@patlad8433]

Wow what a collection. Respect to Paul for donating he is a true Gentleman.

[@CuriosityMine]

Absolutely! Thanks so much for watching and commenting. 😁

[@Raittway]

Black opal is one of my favorite gems. The belemnite pendant is gorgeous! I never knew fossils could become opalized. What an amazing and knowledgable man. Fantastic video! Thanks.

[@CuriosityMine]

Thank you so much! That belemnite is one of the most incredible and beautiful pieces of opal I've ever seen, it was a privilege just to be in a room with it. Thanks for watching and commenting. 😁

[@Koroitopal]

This is the pinnacle of geology, gemology and paleontology, there nothing better, were so lucky to have Paul donate this collection to the lightning ridge museum for all to see.

[@CuriosityMine]

I agree entirely, it’s such an amazing collection and a generous donation. Thanks for watching!

[@MissMorph]

You promised more opal fossil videos and you delivered! Great video - thank you for all your hard work. My next request would be …more opal fossils please ☺️

[@CuriosityMine]

Thank you so much! There’ll always be more opalised fossils. 😁😁

[@happybee7725]

Wow! That collection is fantastic. I’m new to opal and i had no idea that fossils could be opalised. Absolutely breath takingly beautiful and well done to the fella for donating them so others could see these rare beauties

[@CuriosityMine]

100%! It’s such a spectacular collection of pieces. Thanks for watching! 😁

[@happybee7725]

@@CuriosityMine yes it is. Imagine someone found an opalised marsupial lion skull or something.😂That would be incredible.

[@saltwithlove2269]

One of the most amazing opal videos I have had the pleasure to watch - thank you so much to all involved ; and I take my metaphorical hat off to Paul for his donations , gifts that will long outlive him , all of us , and will inspire generations to come . Thank you Paul .

[@CuriosityMine]

Thank you so much! Paul’s generosity is amazing and very much appreciated by the museum. Thank you for commenting. 😁

[@elishadoyle8191]

Wow Paul is such a beautiful generous man to give these to the opal centre. What a kind gesture ❤

[@CuriosityMine]

Absolutely! It's now an incredible collection within an incredible collection. Thanks so much for watching!

[@theopalmills]

Thanks for the vid, it’s refreshing to see others looking past the $ signs and keeping a great record and display of opalised fossils. We can all appreciate the knowledge, effort and restraint Paul has put in to amass such a collection, and can’t thank him enough for his contribution of these rare and intrinsic specimens. Thoroughly enjoyed this video and hope to make it to the Lightning ridge Australian Opal Centre one day to see them all in person. 🤪👍

[@CuriosityMine]

You're very welcome! It's great to get to spend time with people who are so enthusiastic about preserving opalised fossils. Paul has done some great work over the years keeping this collection together and finally choosing to donate it to the AOC. Thanks for watching! 😁👍

[@philcourteney4328]

Definitely! Seeing the intrinsic fascination value to these pieces (like the shark teeth) over the potential dollar signs has meant this collection can delight and entertain far more people than the equivalent jewellery cut from these opalised pieces ever could!

[@mikekuczynski1552]

Great video, I have always loved opal’s but really didn’t know much about the origin. This was very helpful to see how and what they develop from . Thanks for the video

[@CuriosityMine]

Hi Mike! You’re very welcome, thanks so much for watching and commenting. 😁👍

[@nathangannon5933]

We are so blessed to have people such as Paul although rare, that are more interested in preserving history(regardless of age) to pass on to future generations to observe and enjoy. Thank You Mr Sedawi

[@CuriosityMine]

Absolutely 100% agree! Thanks so much for watching. 😁

[@danielkemp4187]

This was a great video, prehistoric lightning ridge is very interesting. The information and in-depth detail behind each fossil found is awesome.

[@CuriosityMine]

Thanks so much Daniel! I really appreciate the feedback. Thanks for watching! 😁

[@wisencareful4645]

Hat off to the guy's generosity & another great Opal vid. Bravo

[@CuriosityMine]

Thank you so much! It’s a spectacular collection of items for sure! 😁

[@LukeKillen]

Your videos are getter better all the time. Thanks for all the effort. I love opal and Fossils, so you really hit the spot.

[@CuriosityMine]

Thanks Luke! Really appreciate the feedback! 😁

[@mikemarley2389]

It was a hot day in Arizona.I was walking in a narrow wash .Turning one of the many corners I came upon a large fossilized dinosaur ,the whole thing .In the sunlight I could see it was solid fire opal.And then I woke up 😮.True story.

[@godrel6177]

This is such a great video, I learned so much! And the fossils were beautiful!

[@CuriosityMine]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@samanthasimental3788]

Thank God for people like paul.

[@noopy4085]

This guys hair is just amazing.

[@jacksemenoff2148]

What a great man Paul is ,great video also thanks.

[@CuriosityMine]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@silverwishes6000]

What a amazing video,I learned so much about opal. John is awesome well educated so giving. You can tell he loves opal

[@CuriosityMine]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@al20o33]

so cool!.. A necklace of the opalised snail shells would be gorgeous!

[@probablywix821]

In Florida, sharks teeth can be found where the springs bubble up from the sand inland. Perhaps that's a similar way to how they got to lightning ridge? I am just as fascinated by this collection as how he remembers every piece and how he got it. What a treasure!

[@CuriosityMine]

Interesting! And a plausible explanation - I’ll run it past the experts when I get the chance. Paul is fantastic, he has a genuine attachment to all of the pieces he has collected, and has great stories about all of them. Thanks for watching and commenting. 😁👍

[@philcourteney4328]

“*wildly inaccurate recreation” 😂😂🤣👌 that just killed me! Fascinating video, you have a new subscriber! Thank you for your content, I’ve got some binging to do now!

[@CuriosityMine]

It’s…..somewhat accurate? But mostly not? 😂 thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate it! 😁👍

[@wteverisgud]

He has to have one of the best and largest opal collections. Tens of millions of dollars most likely. Not this fossil opals you see here but his gem cut stones. 239 pages on opal auctions site at 36 opals per page is over 8600 seperate opal gems he is selling right now . Really amazing how much he has collected over the years. He is really in his own class with the sheer volume and quality of what he sells. He is the de beers of opals in a way.

[@SideShowAli]

Great video! What an amazing collection!!

[@CuriosityMine]

Thanks so much Ali! It's so great to see so many incredible fossils all in one place. 😁

[@lorettarussell593]

Absolutely fascinating!! Thank you!!!

[@angelaballard3929]

So amazing!! And that white opal in the tree rings!!!

[@CuriosityMine]

Thank you! That’s a really beautiful piece, incredible colour and structure. 😁

[@deniseview4253]

Oh wow! All are forms of the opal are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

[@CuriosityMine]

You’re very welcome! Thank you for watching. 😁

[@daniellefores4491]

Brilliant video!

[@CuriosityMine]

Thanks so much! 😁

[@uglyfrog7263]

Outstanding show!

[@CuriosityMine]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it. 😁

[@ROCKINWHEELERS]

So glad to see people Blessed

[@patwilson3647]

Absolutely stunning!

[@CuriosityMine]

Thanks so much Pat! 😁

[@SoNoFTheMoSt]

I love opals and fossils, this is just too much :)

[@CuriosityMine]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting! 😁

[@samanthasimental3788]

I love how much he enjoys the fossils.

[@CuriosityMine]

100%, his appreciation for fossils is quite infectious! Paul was great fun to work with on this video. Thanks for watching. 😁👍

[@TomTom-rh8hh]

Amazing man

[@RG-rl6hj]

JAW DROPPING wow thank you!!

[@CuriosityMine]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@marciecoronado4744]

LOVE his collection !

[@CuriosityMine]

It’s a genuinely incredible collection of fossils! Thanks for watching. 😁

[@burningember8531]

Kiaora Guys. I feel extremely Blessed to find Curiosity Mine. Brilliant colors with in these fossils. Absolutely Wonderful 💯

[@CuriosityMine]

Thanks so much! I appreciate you watching. 😁

[@RockHudrock]

Those are unbelievable!!! 🥺 Priceless and wonderful - should be in the national natural history museum!

[@CuriosityMine]

Thank you! They’re in the collection of the Australian Opal Centre, which is an organisation dedicated to protecting and preserving these natural treasures. The AOC is building a world-class museum dedicated to opal and opalised fossils that will open soon, so they’re in a great place. Thanks for commenting. 😁

[@DreidMusicalX]

Very cool! Thanks for pointing me to this video to see everything and the pineapples. Learning more and more every day.

[@CuriosityMine]

You’re very welcome, thanks for watching and commenting. 😁👍

[@oscarmedina1303]

Very enjoyable video. Opalised fossils are fascinating. Thank you for posting.

[@CuriosityMine]

Thanks so much Oscar! 😁

[@terrypwest]

Very well done. Love the fossilized opals. 😊

[@CuriosityMine]

Thanks Terry! Much appreciated. 😁

[@adameliezer4723]

When the guy pulled out that one piece that looked like a "tooth" but he said it was vegetation replacement, that was 100% a piece of fish jaw with a tooth.

[@jordanlee4477]

I agree, looked like an enchodus jawbone

[@adameliezer4723]

@@jordanlee4477 exactly what I was thinking

[@briantaylormadeblinds3858]

amazing. so interesting and such a knowledgable, generous man.

[@CuriosityMine]

Thanks so much! And thanks for watching. 😁

[@Fuglychick]

That mussel was amazing ❤

[@CuriosityMine]

I could not agree more! Thanks for watching. 😁

[@fishwithandy]

Wow that was Great.

[@CuriosityMine]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@redeyestones3738]

The fossilized thorn @12:00 is super cool.

[@CuriosityMine]

It's a spectacular piece, the structure on the back side is really interesting. Thanks for watching. 😁

[@drfill9210]

I've saved a few Opal fossils from potch I've bought from time to time. Never had the heart to cut them. I'm seriously considering donating them. Nothing much, a few mussels and belemnites

[@CuriosityMine]

The Australian Opal Centre is always open to donations of opalised fossils, plus the collection will remain in Australia and always be accessible. Thank you for watching and commenting! 😁

[@drfill9210]

@@CuriosityMine I'm considering pursuing lightning ridge a visit in the next few days. Has a new load of mine trash hit the information Centre? It would be nice if my kids had some fun noodling

[@CuriosityMine]

I’m afraid I’m not sure, I had plans to be at the Ridge for Christmas, but those plans were put on hold due to local flooding. Good luck to the kids though! There has been at least one significant fossil find at the information centre’s fossicking area in the past 😁

[@drfill9210]

@@CuriosityMine all good... I like to find precious Opal anyway. Fossils are a side catch.

[@IamBATMAN2024]

Amazing!

[@CuriosityMine]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@caseyrayharris.esquire489]

I like how he leaves a lot of the stuff in its natural state

[@CuriosityMine]

100%, it’s great to try to preserve fossils in their original state as much as possible. Thanks for watching!

[@joeegg9530]

so cool

[@CuriosityMine]

Thanks Joe! 😁

[@BruceschultzAU]

Well done Paul That's great

[@CuriosityMine]

I couldn't agree more! Thanks for commenting. 😁

[@burningember8531]

You are very Knowledgeable in the field of Opal. You're delivery and explanations of the opalised fossil formations are total pearls. I think your the Opal King. p.s have you found opalised Pearl?

[@goldcambodia]

Nice!

[@CuriosityMine]

Thanks! 😁👍

[@OneRoundDown]

The "mystery opal" to me looked like the base of a thorn from a Black Locust tree.

[@enterthecarp7085]

Wow! And he donated a bunch! 👍🏼

[@CuriosityMine]

Absolutely, it’s a hugely generous donation! Thanks for watching! 😁

[@danieldeanmasterfinisher4715]

Way to go Paul 👍👍🍻

[@CuriosityMine]

Absolutely! 😁 thanks for stopping by! 😁👍

[@anasevi9456]

your videos are the best btw, XD

[@CuriosityMine]

Thanks so much Ana! 😁😁

[@anasevi9456]

thank god he kept them intact. Such beautiful fossils and being opalised is just a gold cap imho

[@CuriosityMine]

I couldn't agree more, Ana! Thanks for watching 😁

[@jackus217]

We definitely have belemnites in white cliffs and lightning ridge, I've pulled the from wc myself and have known of a fair few from the ridge. Oh and the original minerals that formed pineapples were glendonite and ikiate, I know because I live in white cliffs and have had the benefit of learning from long time miners and geologists that live here

[@CuriosityMine]

That’s great information, thank you! 👍

[@piepstok7292]

Beautiful fossils.

[@CuriosityMine]

They certainly are! Thank you for watching and commenting! 😁

[@piepstok7292]

@@CuriosityMine I'm from Holland by the way and found a beautiful crystal opal shell at The Ridge in 2005. I'd love to return one day for had a great time there with the locals.

[@CuriosityMine]

@@piepstok7292 That's awesome, I'm glad you had a great time at The Ridge! I hope you can visit again some time soon. 😁

[@derekmay8679]

Call Justin from Black opal Direct on KZbin here..He's an amazing cutter and polisher ...surely you could spare a few shells ...be lovely to see some of them fully polished...

[@anthonydevery3539]

What a lovely fellow.

[@CuriosityMine]

Could not agree more, Paul is great! Thanks for watching! 😁

[@slugnaholowaa7406]

Would you like a million dollars worth of opal? Hell yeah! Awesome donation.

[@CuriosityMine]

Absolutely! Paul’s generous donation is one of the largest single groupings of opalised fossils donated to the Australian Opal Centre. Truly amazing stuff! 😁

[@neilhamill318]

Good on yu Paul interesting man and well done.

[@CuriosityMine]

Thank you for watching and commenting! 😁

[@philipcallicoat3801]

Like holding a rainbow in my hands!!!😎🌹

[@CuriosityMine]

Such an accurate description! Thanks for watching. 😁

[@Urban_Piggy]

I recently received a sample of wood fossil from Seda. But my question is, are there any sort of rules that apply to shaping it? I’m not wanting to decrease its value.

[@sandysimon7313]

I wish i had a little gastropod opal to put in a “pearl cage” and wear as a necklace. I could never afford it. I’m currently fighting stage 4 breast cancer (2 different kinds that have spread). I would feel like it was the luckiest thing in the world to wear and tell people about. I also wouldn’t ever get it cut! Natural shell forms are the most beautiful opals❤️‍🔥

[@guidokuhn1275]

Greetings ◇ What a great Museum ☆ And what marvellous contributions ☆☆ And what great Indevidualy Contributers ☆☆☆

[@CuriosityMine]

Thank you so much! 😁 thanks for watching 😁👍

[@tomcurl8034]

I recently purchased an opalised clam fossil for $30 for my personal collection

[@josephlenormand3324]

The second before the short teases steam that broke out of the the main piece of tree knot and all or piece of the limb.

[@thomassabula6725]

❤❤❤

[@CuriosityMine]

Thanks so much! 😁

[@candace8527]

Wow

[@CuriosityMine]

I could not agree more! 😁

[@fiftyhunnug]

Oh, I won't sell them to any opal cutters, but I'll GIVE THEM AWAY to a museum. that's insane.

[@CuriosityMine]

It’s all a matter of perspective. Opalised fossils are irreplaceable and hold a lot of scientific and cultural value. It’s not all about money. Thanks for watching. 😁

[@fiftyhunnug]

@@CuriosityMine Understood. Not what i would do personally, but i respect it. At least they are at a facility that respect the pieces.

[@AdamosDad]

There have been bull sharks deep in continental USA, I saw news reports of a large bull shark at Cincinnati, Ohio.

[@CuriosityMine]

That would definitely make the news! Thanks for watching. 😁

[@jprest13]

I've wanted an opalized Shark tooth for years.

[@CuriosityMine]

Those are incredibly rare! Thanks for watching. 🦈

[@jprest13]

@@CuriosityMine as i discovered as i searched for one to buy hahaha.

[@leeperrybender5811]

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF A OPALISED MUD DAUBER NEST FOSSIL? i BOUGHT ONE, BUT IN RESEARCHING IT, I CAN'T FIND ONE. THANK YOU!

[@claracampbell9714]

Hi how old are these specimens?

[@CuriosityMine]

Hi Clara! The Lightning Ridge specimens are late Cretaceous (100 million years old), the Coober Pedy specimens are early Cretaceous (~135 million years old). White Cliffs is located geographically between the two and it’s opal is generally dated to around 125MYA, so opal formations around the Great Artesian Basin generally get older as you head further west. Thanks for watching! 😁

[@justachipn3039]

😎👍

[@CuriosityMine]

😁👍

[@tasmanwalker8750]

Notice the bivalves approx 3min are all closed. In other words they were buried alive.

[@lonewolf1401]

You have some of the most beautiful stuff there I would love to visit the museum that's holding that butt what he said was shark teeth look more like gator

[@CuriosityMine]

Thank you! It would be great if you could visit one day. Thank you for commenting. 😁

[@piecartbox]

Belem-Nite

[@OpalholicsAnonymous]

I'm pretty sure I have a precious opalised vertebrae from lightning ridge. It has liquid or gas trapped in it to! I want to send to the opal centreA

[@CuriosityMine]

That's awesome! The Australian Opal Centre offers a fossil identification service, but unfortunately you would need to bring your specimens to the Centre in Lightning Ridge for identification. You can contact the Australian Opal Centre through their website at www.australianopalcentre.com for more information. Thank you for watching! 😁

[@Chance-ry1hq]

It’s nice to see someone who is not driven solely by making money, and greed.

[@CuriosityMine]

100%. Paul has a genuine and contagious love for opal and opalised fossils and it’s a delight to work with him and showcase his stories. 😁

[@bear1830]

I have a clam shell that’s half shell and half black opal

[@CuriosityMine]

Sounds great! 😁

[@bear1830]

Yeah, it’s beautiful. Enjoyed your video!

[@CuriosityMine]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate it. 😁

[@wilsonrawlin8547]

This man gave millions of dollars of Opal away for this museum. He could've sold or cut these for a fortune. Instead he donated them to create a legitimate Opal center for Australia the greatest Opal mines of the world.

[@CuriosityMine]

All absolutely true! Thanks for watching and commenting. 😁

[@johnnynephrite6147]

450 paces? what are you talking about?

[@CuriosityMine]

The collection includes over 450 pieces across a range of different fossil types. It’s one of the most significant donations in the Australian Opal Centre’s collection.

[@gchammertime1557]

Bet he never would have guessed that a scam would keep him from going to the museum to view his opal he donated to them.

[@akithemeatball6768]

23:27 it benefits the terrorists so ima donate.

[@CuriosityMine]

Tourists, but ok 😁

[@ALLinENT931]

You had me until dinosaur

[@jenniferschmitzkatze1244]

Die Aufnahmen der steine sind zu kurz ... die totale ist viel zu oft ,um die steine würdigen zu können .... ja ok toller typ ... steine zu wenig zu sehen Fazit schlechtes video

[@CuriosityMine]

Danke für die Bewertung. Ich werde mir das für zukünftige Videos merken. Danke fürs zuschauen! 👍

[@tedrookstool6627]

THE ITEM DESCRIBED AS VEGITATION REPLACEMENT LOOKS LIKE A RIPED OFF BRANCH FROM A YOUNG TREE.

[@CuriosityMine]

Hi Ted! That may be the case! Thanks for watching. 😁

[@richardwarnock2789]

Found a human skull Opalized 💀

[@veganbutcherhackepeter]

What a star. ❤

[@CuriosityMine]

Could not agree more!