The Black Opal by Katharine Susannah Prichard

THE BLACK OPAL is a story set in the opal fields of Lightning Ridge. It has the magic of that most mysterious and beautiful of all gems which is a symbol of Australia. Sparks of fiery radiance, in humour, courage, passion and comradeship, are struck from a sombre background in which the love of Sophie and Potch survives with tender realism, and the gallant struggle of Michael for an ideal, lights the way to triumph over life's tragedies.