Rare $675,000 opal makes public debut

The world's finest uncut opal, a 998-gram gem called theFire of Australia, has gone on permanent public display for the first time since its discovery more than 60 years ago.

Valued at more than $675,000, the stone is the largest known high-grade opal in the world, according to the gem's new owners, theSouth Australian Museumin Adelaide, Australia.

The 998-gram gem, called the Fire of Austrilia is the largest known piece of high grade opal in the world, according to the museum.The Fire of Australia is around the size of a softball... and shows all the colors of the spectrum," museum director Brian Oldman told CNN.

"The Fire of Australia is around the size of a softball...and shows all the colors of the spectrum," museum director Brian Oldman told CNN, emphasizing the extreme rarity of the stone.

(CNN)