Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Jan 3, 2009 1:59:48 GMT -5
Its on the list.
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coloradorocker
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2009
Posts: 2
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Post by coloradorocker on Mar 22, 2009 22:15:44 GMT -5
Hi all I'm a new member and just checking all of this out, I have been to the opal mines in Nevada, the only one really worth checking out is the Royal Peacock, very expensive to dig there, digging is hard because your digging on a wall which you can not undercut in any way if you do you must go above the wall and knock down the overhang then muck out the burden to get back to what you were chasing (limb castings), and very very hot in the summer. No shade what so ever, no water of any kind,oh yea it's the DESERT, but the people who work there very helpful, and I have seen some nice stuff come out of there, plus the gift shop has some very nice stuff. Oh by the way you are 100+ miles from any town or any thing, so don't think there are any hotels close, if you are self contained your OK, they also have a camp ground,and there is a camp ground down the road, if not you will do alot of driving.My advice is avoid the other opal mines they are pretty much a joke, at least at the Peacock your digging in virgin ground. The Star Garnet area in Idaho is nice, there are a couple of camping areas close by, your in the mountains. there are some towns with in 25 miles with motels. They charge $10 to screen all day and its tailings they bring in from some mine, most of the garnets are small some large but they are very weather warn with lots of cracks and inclusions, but there is always the really nice ones too (far and few) but they are there!! The ruby and sapphire areas of Franklin NC are nice but the specimens there are not very gemy, the best place to go to is the Mason Mine, they charge $25 to screen all day in tailing they bring down from the mine, other mines in the area charge by the bucket, and you can buy the salted buckets at all the mines.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Mar 23, 2009 13:44:17 GMT -5
Stillwell Ranch in Alpine, TX has a lot of flint, jasper, and some plume. stillwellstore.com/Chuck
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Mar 23, 2009 21:34:12 GMT -5
I put it on the list.
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swordfishmining
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2009
Posts: 22
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Post by swordfishmining on Nov 29, 2009 17:18:11 GMT -5
Hiya all: Seems MY link is broken. On my virginvalleyopal website I have links that work to all the fee digs in our local area. Or you can put Virgin Valley Opal or Swordfish Mining in the google box. The Opal Queen mine is open year round if you want to do off season digging.
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swordfishmining
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2009
Posts: 22
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Post by swordfishmining on Nov 29, 2009 17:28:57 GMT -5
Gee, the link works now. Also posted out of context from a search not this thread. To Colorado rocker. Don't be in arms reach if you call the fee digs joke here. Rainbow Ridge brings you a 3 yard frontloader full of virgin dirt you don't have to worry about undercutting to get. Did you mine 3 yd a day at the peacock? The opal queen is digging in new trenches with opal encrusted logs sticking out of the walls. And the Bonanza is still letting you look at loads from the old tailings heap not virgin dirt. I sell claims not fee digging.
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Post by petrifiedwoodfarm on Jul 28, 2014 6:46:54 GMT -5
Could you kindly update the list. Your URL is obsolete. Thanks much.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Jul 30, 2014 16:57:05 GMT -5
You can add the Royston Turquoise mine to the list. A fun time, easy mining, good quality turquoise found. Near Tonopah, NV.
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Post by DirtCleaner on Aug 3, 2014 16:22:59 GMT -5
Def. time to renew this thread/list. I would like to see it. One day might even have some vacation time to use visiting some sites.
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itusuallyworks
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2021
Posts: 4
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Post by itusuallyworks on Mar 29, 2021 2:29:05 GMT -5
I didnt see it on the list but I am a fan of Twin creek crystal mine in Mt.Ida Arkansas , its a lot of sand stone rock face digging but if you find a pocket you can get some nice stuff. Its $25 for the whole day if you dig your self or search the tailings pile , they also have a commercial mine which you can pay to hunt (not sure price ) or have them open a pocket for you ( again not sure of price ) twin-creek-crystal-mine.business.site/
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