North to Nevada, Virgin Valley Opals

by richardcarew on January 15, 2010

The Virgin Valley in Nevada produces some of the most beautiful opal in the world.  It is a fossil opal replacing trees.   The opal itself is black and clear at the same time with a lot of contra luz opal but some very strong regular play of color opal.  Unfortunately most of it is cracky that is it crazes when removed from the clay it forms in.  There are two mines where people can mine for a fee, the Rainbow Ridge Mine and the Bonanza Mine.  People seem to have better luck at the Bonanza although when I went there I went to the Rainbow Ridge Mine because it was owned by an acquaintance of mine, Keith Hodson.  He had owned both mines but sold the Bonanza in the 70s.  Keith inherited the mines from his father who was mining them back in the 30s.  Kieth was an old man when I knew him so I imagine he has retired and I do not know who owns them now.

The opal there forms in a clay and I am not sure what type it is but if you have read my other blog on opal formation you will know that clay is the essential ingredient in opal formation.  Here in the Virgin Valley it replaces pine trees so you can find fossilized pine cones as well as pieces of branches.  Kieth Hodson had the record with a 6 pound chunk of totally precious opal until a woman found a log almost 5 feet long in about 6 sections the biggest of which was 2 feet long and several others more than a foot long.  Not only was it huge but it was stable.  Kieth had his in a jar like a huge test tube upside down filled with water I think they’re called Bell Jars.  The woman found that opal at the working face of the Bonanza Mine.  If you ever go there it is worth the extra money to search the working face rather than yesterday’s tailings.  There is also a neat hot spring to camp at a few miles up the road from the mines.  There is space for RVs and for tent camping and a free hot spring (clothes are not optional).

I have read where a Mr David Lippmann has developed a method for stabilizing this opal.  It supposedly works about 75% or 85% of the time.  I don’t know for sure that it works but it sure would be a great thing ’cause this opal is real fine.  It rivals the best Lightning Ridge can put out.  He apparently guarantees the opal he sells against further cracking or crazing.  Next up is Spencer, Idaho.http://www.rockawayopals

richardcarew

richardcarew

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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

richardcarew January 21, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Richard M Carew January 21, 2010 at 1:16 am

Most of the photos I’ve seen are copyrighted so here’s a link:
Virgin Valley Opal

Allan January 20, 2010 at 7:23 am

I agree , could you post pictures? It would be most helpful.
thanks
Allan

Robyn January 20, 2010 at 3:31 am

What happened to the Royal Peacock? they have a great campground and some of the coolest florescent opal…

I haven’t been in a year…but we worked the Royal Peacock, Rainbow Ridge, Bonanza and the Opal Queen.

Robyn Hawk

Laurie Jane Kern January 18, 2010 at 12:18 pm

Can you post a picture of the opal so we can see how beautiful it is??

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