Where can I dig for opal in Idaho?
The small town of Spencer in eastern Idaho is often referred to as “The Opal Capital of America”. After all, it’s here you’ll find the largest opal mine in the state—Spencer Opal Mine—where you can dig for your own opals.
Is there opal in Idaho?
In Idaho, Opal is the second largest contributor to the total value of gem material produced. The varieties produced include precious (white and pink), yellow, blue, pink, and common. The Spencer Opal Mine, the largest privately owned gem stone producer in the State, is the major producer of Opal.
Where can you hunt for opal?
Your destination is Opal Canyon, the Mojave Desert home of two opal mines that allow visitors to hunt and keep the fabled semiprecious stones. The Kern County mines are the only known sources of gem-fire opals in California, and one of only three recognized opal fields in the United States.
Where can I dig for gems in Idaho?
Rockhounding
GEMSTONE OR ROCK NAME | COUNTY | LOCATION |
---|---|---|
CRYSTALS – QUARTZ | CUSTER | Near Bayhorse and in Yankee Fork Mining District |
BENEWAH | Crystal Peak northeast of Fernwood | |
IDAHO | McKinley Gulch in Slate Creek and Ruby Meadows | |
OWYHEE | Long Gulch south of Silver City |
Are there diamonds in Idaho?
Diamonds are found in Idaho, but not enough for mining, but rockhounds find a few. The biggest diamond ever found in the U.S. was found between McCall and New Meadows.
What gems is Idaho known for?
Idaho Gemstones. Although Idaho has a variety of gem mineral deposits including rock crystal and amethyst, jasper, chalcedony, agate, agatized wood, opal, garnet, aquamarine, topaz and zircon, only a few of the nationally-significant Idaho deposits are discussed in this module.
How do you dig up opals?
Opal is one of the few minerals which can be extracted economically by a miner working alone. The simplest form of mining, carried out in the early days of opal mining, is by shaft sinking with a pick and shovel. A shaft is sunk straight down until some promising “opal dirt” is discovered.
What is the opal capital of the world?
Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy was founded in 1915, in northern South Australia. It is located 846km north of Adelaide, along the Stuart Highway. Since then, the town has been supplying roughly 90% of the world’s gem quality opals.
Where is opal most commonly found?
Australia
Opal is found around the world (Brazil, Mexico, Honduras and the western US) however Australia produces 95% of the world’s precious opal and it is our official national gemstone.
Where are the best opals found?
These gemstones varieties are discovered at some of the most significant Australian opal fields – Jundah-Opalville and Winton in Queensland, Lightning Ridge in New South Wales, and Coober Pedy, located in central South Australia.
Can you find sapphires in Idaho?
Idaho certainly has a variety of rocks, crystals, and gemstones that would interest any rockhound. From diamonds, rubies, emeralds, gold, sapphires to geodes, topaz, turquoise, opals, obsidian, amethyst, agates, jades, jasper, garnets, quartz crystals, and petrified wood.
Where can you find Opal in Idaho?
Most of the opal deposits have been found in the areas around Hardtrigger Creek, Opalene Gulch and Squaw Creek. There are only two places in the entire world that the beautiful gemstones known as Star Garnets can be found, and the Garnet Area in Idaho’s Panhandle National Forest is one of them.
When does opal mine open?
Spencer Opal Mine usually opens in spring and remains open through fall. It’s here that you’ll find a variety of different types of opals, including Black Opal, Mexican Fire Opal, Precious Fire Opal, and White Opals—just to name a few.
Can I dig in the opal mine?
Each year, the mine opens itself to visitors who would like to try their luck at digging for their own precious gems. Rockhounds are welcome to check out the mini mine located right behind the Opal Country Cafe. Material is brought here from the main mine and visitors are welcome to dig to their heart’s content!
Are RockHounds welcome at opal mine?
Rockhounds are welcome to check out the mini mine located right behind the Opal Country Cafe. Material is brought here from the main mine and visitors are welcome to dig to their heart’s content! Be sure to bring eye protection, good shoes, and your own digging equipment (a hammer is recommended.)