One Of The Rarest Finds In Opal Mining History ‘The Nest’ A Plate Of Three Opal Pineapples!

This week I had the fantastic opportunity to witness some history in the making.
In my father Graeme Dowton’s ‘Naatji’s Nest’ opal mine, I was present for the discovery of not only one of the finest opal pineapple specimens ever found, but also a World First. Three pieces successfully excavated intact as a whole piece. Wow!.
This discovery is also significant to the mine as it is one of the last opal pineapples this opal mine produced before closing down the Opal Pineapple levels due to safety concerns.
Seam opal will be pursued in the higher levels, although no more pineapples are expected to be uncovered from the mine that has produced ALL of the World Finest pieces. With the level exhausted, this closure means the White Cliffs opal field isn’t likely to see any more pineapples of this quality for a very long time if ever again, due to increasing restrictions on mining and government bureaucracy.
Seeing the skill and care as this astounding piece was unearthed and cleaned was truely astounding. I look forward to hearing where it ends up in the future, as a unique piece in my opinion it belongs in a museum or the centre of a World Class Collection!
For any inquiry’s about this piece or others, please contact Graeme Dowton via the information below.
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About Us:
Our names are Jaymin Sullivan, James Caruana and Noah Mcdonough we are the ‘Young Guns’ Opal Mining Crew from Discovery Channel tv show ‘Outback Opal Hunters.’
Our love for treasure
hunting led us to quit our jobs and move to the desert in search of precious Australian Opal!
It’s a bad day to be a rock!

[@mike94560]

I think it is amazing how you spotted that and recognized it for what it was. That took a very skilled miner. Congratulations!

[@younggunsopalhunters]

He definitely has a life times worth of experience reading the ground and spotting these opal pineapple I definitely wouldn’t have haha

[@jfk64kennedy95]

they used to looking for, They notice even a lil glint, reflection, color...something that doesn't belong to the tan/brown back drop..it like salt water fishing...you can't see the fish, but can see evidence they there

[@TheSilmarillian]

@@jfk64kennedy95 Yep hello from outback Australia opal miner here.

[@richardraymond9108]

Colors?

[@PreservationEnthusiast]

​@@younggunsopalhunters But what if you just extracted all the opal and broke it down into individual stones and nodules? Would you get more money like that or more just selling as one piece with 3 pineapples?

[@spincolor]

I'm impressed with how skilled this guy is in operating all his equipment.

[@wutflex]

Keeping on the matrix is a brilliant decision! Museum quality!

[@Paul-zf8ob]

I took gemology in college. Our professor had an opal buyer come to class with two large suitcases full of over a million dollars in opals. First thing I thought was what the hell is he doing walking around with such valuable material? When he opened his cases it absolutely blew my mind. Never thought much about opals but it educated me. He had some of the most beautiful and large opals I’ve ever seen. He had one worth 90,000 alone. It was gorgeous and made me want to go to Australia and dig myself. Most people would never get to see these incredible opals. All I thought was I hope he gets back to wherever he was going after class as it was nighttime when he left.

[@LM-zh9lf]

Probably because lates it low key and unassuming. Safest bet.

[@brianjohnson8918]

Amazing to think that's been sitting there in the ground all this time. This is the most up-close-and-personal opal mining episodes I've ever seen. Good job. 👍

[@6699JAMES6699]

I’ve seen it in person … such an incredibly rare and amazing specimen - truly one of a kind, Well done to Graeme the Pineapple King !

[@younggunsopalhunters]

⚡️⚡️

[@justinlewis899]

@@younggunsopalhunterswhat is it you are mining thought? Shale? Sandstone? Clay? Or just dirt?

[@justinlewis899]

What is it you are minding though? Sand stone? Clay, shale, or is it just dirt

[@CenPapi]

@@justinlewis899sandstone and clay probably

[@grundlefairy]

i hope the viewers understand just how amazing this is.

[@maryhirsch7170]

I doubt anyone watching would be just watching with no knowledge at all

[@bentationfunkiloglio]

Congrats on this amazing pineapple cluster! Would love to see it once you've finished working on it. Cheers.

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thanks for watching!

[@ThatOpalGuy]

This is so COOL! I really loved this video: the description and demonstration of the mining process, the editing and visual perspectives throughout. It was fun to watch you go from that heavy digger to a tiny pick. Great job getting it out of there in one piece. But certainly the cameraman helped carry it, right? Anyway, I met you in Denver at the 2022 gem show and am so glad I did! Again, THANK YOU for mining, and to all opal miners. Without you guys there wouldn't be any rough for us to play with!

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thank you very much for watching and taking the time to comment! It’s a dream job and being able to share it with the world is something we consider a privilege :) hopefully see you around again some day. Will be a Tucson this year :)

[@ThatOpalGuy]

@@younggunsopalhunters Not sure I will be going to Tucson this year. There is a total eclipse in April that I will be trying to go to, so not sure I could afford Tucson as well. Which is a shame, it would be awesome to get to talk to you, and to Justin Thomas, again. Maybe next year.

[@user-tt3rj8pp1b]

I live in Tucson!! Will definitely be visiting your stand at the Gem and Mineral Show. See u there!

[@ieatcaribou7852]

This is so cool! Just seeing the excitement on his face tells you it's incredibly rare. The three pineapples also have very round shapes to them, congratulations!

[@janicamoore9583]

Omg that little loader is so cool too!

[@drunkdunc8738]

That’s awesome Graeme , must be hard to call a mine “done” and move on after a find like this but who knows what’s waiting for you at the next mine? Keep the videos coming, cheers👍🍻

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Always hard to close them down but eventually you must, better to be safe then sorry! We still have some of the upper leaves to work for seam opal but the pineapple leaves are done

[@Koroitopal]

Master miner with priceless experience, was a pleasure to see somebody with the understanding of the exotic geology that goes with a very special opal formation. Well done sir.👏👏👏👏

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment it was definitely a unique find!

[@jenesisjones6706]

The apples didn't fall far from the tree 🙃 What a spectacular find! Super stoked for you!

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Hahaha not a bad find that’s for sure!

[@uriahmurray1514]

Hey Grahm looking good mate!! It was even better looking in person when I came and got a tour of you mine many years back! So happy to see your still at it!! Thanks for sharing your gems with us!!

[@liquidfriction5450]

Incredible! Great you documented finding it.

[@selfretired3025]

Absolutely stunning. What an incredible find. Left there, just for you to find. 👊🎉🙌

[@GregWilliams-vx8ts]

Howdy mate, amazing find for you,totally different mining to what we do in WA for gold, my partner and myself done a tour through your mine last year and we had a great time we hope to get back this year so if you need a hand at all would be happy to help just for the experience, happy and safe hunting 👍⚒.

[@Onewill818]

Just amazing guys! Great work, great video. Always enjoy seeing the old fella do his thing

[@cyclonicsilver2773]

It was Awesome to meet Graeme today at the Tucson Show and I cant wait until next years show as I’m gonna have to start saving for a size able piece of Pineapple!! Can’t wait to see more videos!!

[@steelrain4362]

Amazing specimen.

[@Laurie-rq3xq]

Wow! Gorgeous!!

[@efrideetswrath7935]

Nice pineapples boys!

[@larryfroot]

You truly have a miner's eye for the faintest of signs in the wall. Yes, luck comes into it but the skill in knowing what you are looking for, and spotting it when it arrives. Well done! Da iawn a dal ati, as we say in Old South Wales. Well done and keep on!

[@mozhr32]

What a gorgeous cluster!!❤

[@godrel6177]

That is an incredible cluster of pineapples!

[@skeeterboombaty]

that digger is quite a contraption. It pulls itself along and everything. Love it. This video is amazing. Love seeing the process.

[@goldthredz]

Love the loader cam!

[@wearethree]

Some amazing pieces.

[@jjnen3118]

Great video. Learnt a lot more in less than 15 minutes about opal mining and the hardship but it got me thinking what it must have been for the miners before all this machinery.

[@joakimmagnusson9043]

I feel it in the dirt, I hear it in the earth. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it. Great video! 👍

[@joanneblowey3001]

Tolkien

[@shanewalls721]

I'm gust amazed by how quiet and seemingly peaceful his work conditions are. Every mine I've ever seen was noisy as hell with drilling, jack hammering, blasting, makeup air, water pumps, and all the machinery.

[@lizarrrdbeth]

Thanks for sharing. Opals are just amazing. They remind me of my Mom! She passed in 1983....she would have loved your channel!!!

[@W.MOpals]

What a wicked find! Well done guys

[@Daniel-lk3sy]

That's going to look beautiful when you're done with it! Great find

[@marypasco2213]

SO CHUFFED!!!!!! Great for you!!!!! ❤

[@hamemoney]

Oh wow! what a brilliant find!

[@screwthecabal6453]

INCREDIBLE!

[@user-ij7di4os4d]

Graeme what a find! I so appreciate all your hard work and commitment to mining all these years. It was a THRILL to meet and talk with you in Tucson this year! Best of everything to you moving forward! hannah

[@keithm6117]

Well done, you deserve a find like that esspecially as youre working soo hard and risking youre life in the process...

[@kathybrandt6060]

I’ve never seen anything like that in my life. It is incredibly beautiful. Congratulations.

[@Bennie32831]

Stoked ✌️👏

[@patmigroin2808]

Mate Graeme's showing the years of skill on the tools, nice work.

[@KimFeast]

brilliant work! cant wait to see how it turns out as finished!

[@user-ij7di4os4d]

Graeme! What an amazing find! I so admire the commitment and hard work you've put into mining all these years. And can I say, it was a THRILL to meet you and talk in Tucson this year!

[@jusele-ox9rc]

Absolutely fascinating. Great find....

[@michaelripley4528]

Nice job Old gun!!!😎😃

[@teuviraupokotea4830]

Amazing 👏 pineapple 🍍 opals churr bradas

[@andypandyAU.6669]

Wicked find love it, can't wait to see it all finished up and ready to display. ❤it 😊

[@uglenddalejones2]

Spectacular find and congratulations to you 🫶🏼👏🏻🫶🏼👏🏻🙌

[@ar15gator]

What a beautiful find!

[@sinjinmonsoon9055]

Good for you. How exciting. Hope you find more

[@AngieJames4172]

I am truly impressed at how quiet the digger thing is. I am so excited to see the end result of "The Nest". It's going to be beyond amazing! *Congratulations*

[@MickH60]

It's because the engine running it is above ground, the machine has very long hydraulic lines..

[@AngieJames4172]

@@MickH60 Thank you for the information 🙂

[@younggunsopalhunters]

Often if we hit opal with the digger we will hear the opal break so very handy it runs so quiet :)

[@whatilearnttoday5295]

It's not quiet on the surface ;)

[@AngieJames4172]

@@younggunsopalhunters Thank you, it's great to know you can actually hear the Opal break! What interesting information 🙂

[@willaustin2902]

Great work, amazing specimen and patience

[@gavinstrachan929]

Outstanding!!!❤

[@maryruiz1511]

Those are so beautiful

[@10thletter40]

Thats crazy, 3 pineapples all right there, all 3 fantastic!

[@MysticNightCalls]

Wow, beautiful. Justin at Black Opal Direct sent me over to check out your page. I am loving it.

[@cowboygeologist7772]

Wow, excellent video. Thanks for sharing your talent.

[@monikaramirez8067]

Obviously, it is a very delicate process.

[@grgpahljina6145]

Wow those looks awsome

[@carlettelynch7859]

So amazing!!! And rhey look like flowers!!! ❤

[@trxONE-000]

It's been too long!!! We missed y'all !!!

[@JanWillemdeGeest]

That last part makes me enthusiastic again for dremeling opal myself :)

[@oneshotme]

WOW That's amazingly beautiful pineapples!!!! I enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up

[@williamdawson3353]

Lots of hard work to show this/ Thank You.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

Between this awesome video and Justin's hot crystal cut, Monday has turned out to be a VERY GOOD DAY!

[@abrock3479]

Absolutely amazing

[@laurenoreilly4140]

That is an amazing specimen!!

[@spudgun4286]

Mate this makes me resent the constant noise of running a 360 all day. Seems relaxing and dangerous at the same time.

[@dodgygoose3054]

That is fascinating, thank you.

[@violetvioletviolet1]

That was fabulous! thank you so much for sharing! I would be willing to come and volunteer to dig!

[@WildCards1]

Awesome cluster find

[@garyhughes4326]

Congratulations on the find of a lifetime Graeme. It would be hard letting this one go mate but I imagine that with it being such a rarity that it would be worth a considerable amounbt of mulla. Once again, congratulations mate.

[@tressinar]

I loved every single minute of this video.

[@macster9938]

Wow what a excellent Find keep up the great work

[@mpsymonds1]

I have to say and I don’t know how Opal compares with other gems in the money department, but for me it’s the most beautiful stone out there.

[@colleenthompson8707]

Wow. That’s pretty impressive. Congratulations

[@amybradley2514]

What a process and how amazing to find that cluster!

[@mreza9148]

thats amazing work ❤

[@scottishwifie14]

Fantastic specimen well done getting it out all together.

[@mattramsey5080]

That little loader is so cool. Looks like it would be a lot of fun to operate

[@larrysernyk6154]

Awesome!!

[@shannanbegley8189]

Amazing find!

[@user-sn7ne4hq9m]

awesome! if you Aussies put out more videos a month I can't imagine how many subscribers you'd have! can't wait to see the next vid. big fan from USA! cheers!

[@michaelsilguero3551]

This man is living his best life. He smelled those he didnt see them lol. What a wonderful living im super jealous. Would be happy to be flown out as labor!

[@5thhorseman559]

Outstanding! Or as you guys say, Good onYa Mate!

[@Ak47JDawg]

Every opal is one of a kind and that's why it's my favourite silica gem ❤

[@derekmay8679]

Its brilliant watching someone who knows what they are doing 👏 👌...Stunning rewards for hard work...

[@TheTorkerman]

Imagine how many have been smashed in the digging process 🤭🤭 Amazing piece, thanks for sharing

[@brendaeaves1079]

Thanks For Sharing😊USA❤

[@twisttwister8254]

Great find 🎉

[@elwinprice667]

I have literally never seen anything like this!!! Amazing 💥🌅🎆🎇😎

[@Herne0011]

You would have to have nerves of steel. I would completely freak out trying to get that out in one bit. Amazing.

[@DavidHands]

Nice one! Our family had a mine in White Cliffs and unfortunately I never got to even see it despite myself being the main gemstone fossicker in the family. I don't think we had that cool digging machine though. What a cool toy!

[@jameshicks7125]

I love the little loader!

[@freedom4all581]

Cool Piece🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@tomayrscotland6890]

Amazing find and a lot of hard work...

[@chrispritchard3775]

Well done all the hard work it was really worth it all the time's you,ve come away empty handed. really happy for you did you have a quiet beer in celebration

[@GraemeDowtonRedEarthOpal]

I will admit, I was quite exuberant upon getting the piece home a ice cold Stone&Wood followed 😂

[@07PaulyShore07]

That’s sick!!!!!!!