Please be advised that a large collection of opals has been reported stolen in the United States. It is known as the 'Aurora Opal Collection'. The collection is comprised of 116 opal stones weighing 1,559.34 carats in total. The collection includes very rare opals including Black Opals and Harlequin Opals. In 1994 this collection was appraised at US$25,638,000.

Should any of these items be discovered, please contact IP Washington for additional information on appraisal, valuation, and information on carat weights for individual pieces. The items are also listed on the Stolen Art database of the FBI.

Photos of the collection are attached.

Tammy R. Hilburn
Program Manager, Cultural Property Crimes & Senior Interpol Analyst
Economic Crimes Division
Interpol / USNCB
tammy.hilburn@usdoj.gov

tel: 202-616-3552
fax: 202-616-8314 (administrative)
fax: 202-616-8400 (investigative)