After months of planning, Mrs White said the feedback she had received reinforced her belief the event would go on to become a jewel in the city's crown.

"I'm ecstatic, the support we will be getting for the next OGGE is going to be huge," she said.

"Everyone who could help us with what we're trying to do for Dubbo has come through the doors and had a look.

"They've all come to me and made their comments and we are very confident that next year will be bigger and better organised and well supported by the city."

Mrs White said the first couple of days of the event were slow but Saturday and Sunday picked up with hundreds of visitors through the doors of the Dubbo Regional Convention Centre.

She said poor weather on the Thursday and Friday may have affected numbers but with the sun back out over the weekend, curious lovers of precious stones came out to see some of the finest examples of jewellery and gems ever to grace the city. Mrs White said visitors had responded positively to the displays.

"A lot of them had never seen anything like it," she said.

"Especially the big Serena Williams opal pendant and the Aquarian Dawn, which are very big collector pieces.

"They're just not pieces you'd ever see in shops in Australia."

Mrs White said the sad reality of the gem industry in Australia saw most of the best stones sold overseas.

She said she was determined that the $60 million Lightning Ridge Rainbow Collection, made up of valuable and rare opals, would stay in Australia.

The black tie gala ball Saturday night showcased a superb range of Australian gemstones including Argyle diamonds, pearls and plenty of rare opal.

A highlight of the evening was the dazzling $5.9 million bikini modelled by lucky local woman Melissa Gleeson.

Guests enjoyed a la carte meals, and they were entertained with anecdotes from Lightning Ridge residents Herman Kreller and author Len Cram.

Later a display by artist Linda Jackson wowed audiences with a collection of designs and choreography inspired by the colours of opals.

lisa.minner@ruralpress.com