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# Australian expert gives Lichfield MP the lowdown on opals
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/australian-expert-gives-lichfield-mp-the-lowdown-on-opals/
- Published: 2009-09-30T08:30:19.000Z
- Updated: 2009-09-28T14:40:32.000Z
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 21:52, News

![Michael Fabricant, John Wheeler, Robert Carr and Opal–Rose Garrington](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/opal-mp.jpg "opal-mp")

Michael Fabricant, John Wheeler, Robert Carr and Opal–Rose Garrington

Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant was among the guests as an Australian opal expert paid a visit to the city.

Opal miner John Wheeler exhibited his gems at Robert Carr Jewellers in Lichfield and people were given the opportunity to see the colourful stones worth up to £180,000.

John, from Lightening Ridge, Australia, had been mining for 14 years before he hit the jackpot and unearthed the opals. John’s wife Leisha uses the stones and has created a stunning range of jewellery.

Mr Fabricant said:

> “In a week when the Lichfield hoard of gold was discovered, it’s great to see a unique collection of opals in Lichfield . The black opals are the only ones on show in the Midlands. Next time I am in Oz I shall be prospecting!  
>  
> “It was a real pleasure to meet John Wheeler and it turned out that we have a whole series of mutual connections in Queensland, Australia where he now lives.”