Before Australia's legendary opal fields dazzled the world, Europe had its own source of shimmering fire—Dubník opal, often called “Hungarian opal” due to pre-WWI geography. These remarkable gemstones were mined for centuries in the Dubník region near Košice, nestled in the Libanka-Šimonka Mountains of what is now southeastern Slovakia.
Opal mining in this area dates back as far as Roman times, with the region's fame peaking in the 19th century. At its height, the Dubník mines produced over 20,000 carats annually, feeding the growing European appetite for fiery gemstones. These opals, with their distinct play-of-colour, were once so prized they rivalled any known source—until the Australian deposits shifted the global market.
The most iconic piece to come out of Dubník is a 528-gram opal, described in the early 17th century, set in a gold pendant now part of the Hafburg treasure chamber in Vienna, Austria. This behemoth gem remains a testament to the area's once-glorious opal industry.
Though the mines closed in 1922, the legacy of Dubník opal still glows in collections and museums across Europe. Today, connoisseurs prefer the more accurate name “Dubník opal”, honouring its Slovakian roots and preserving the legend of Europe’s original opal crown jewel.