According to a leading Australian authority on crinoids this example is an almost complete opalised crinoid.

This specimen has never been assembled but it is estimated to be about 8" X 5" when assembled. Most of the fossil is replaced by precious opal and is a unique museum quality specimen. It was discovered in 1980 at an area close to Coober Pedy, South Australia, known as the 15 mile .

A variety of opalised shells, including snails and belemnites, were also found amongst the arms of the crinoid, leading the gouger to believe that the fossil was that of an octopus due to the gouger finding the large bulbous base and what appeared to be tentacles with sucker cups on those arms. It was later identified as a species of CRINOID.

The photo below is the only available picture, taken at the time of the find and the CRINOID is now held in a bank vault for safe keeping.