Common Mojave Desert Opal Re-Visited
Jun 6, 2022 20:29:49 GMT -5
rockpickerforever, rockjunquie, and 3 more like this
Post by pizzano on Jun 6, 2022 20:29:49 GMT -5
A couple of friends of my Wife's, recently caught the "hounding" bug and have enjoyed what we have shared with them over the years..........a particular interest of theirs has been Opal. The Northern Nevada influence is well known for such.......but they care not to "pay to play", and have always appreciated our approach to rock & mineral gathering/collecting........investigate, plan, prepare and enjoy every drop of sweat you drop on that bucket of surprises you manage to bring home.......No regrets.
A few years back, while the bug was still poking us, we made quite a few trips out to the Cady's, Black Hill, Opal Mtn., and Lavic Sidling....Each, on separate occasions, within a days trip to the mid-lower half of the Mojave/Barstow influence........I've posted a few of those previous trips/collections here at RTH.
So, Pat, Mike, Terry and Ann went on an Opal quest to Mojave's Opal Mountain, last week (hit Calico and the obvious purse string tugs)........our directions, coordinates and be prepared's in hand.......they knew up-front, not to expect anything "precious" or of the variety you pay for or need muscle to extract in Nevada........But having seen (and own), that, of which we have shared, sorted, grinded and polished.............just the trip experience and actually placing in hand........was enough motivation. I should mention that Ann is a jeweler with a serious Turquoise fetish.....lol
We (Wife & I) have sorted through what they have brought back........Yep, now the fun really begins.......lol......However, these folks are not laid back dirt pokers.....they get dirty and down.....lol
Anyway, there was a level of disappointment to their excursion.......travelers beware. The location is a 4x4 need more than halfway through the journey, It did not require that 3yrs ago.......but lack of road maintenance and the BLM only paying attention to hazards that delay emergency ground response, are priority now. Their Jeep Grand Cherokee is now no longer a virgin.....no worse for wear.....lol
Traversing the valley between Opal Mtn. and the Black Mtn. Wilderness was an adventure for them......they were able to spend some time scouting Inscription Canyon and still make it to the base of Opal Mtn. in a day........Unfortunately, the roads that lead to the overhanging OPAL cliffs were " hike your ass-up" condition.......From personal experience, those cliffs are all that is left to the public...given more than Basalt, Andesite, Ryolite tailings that require careful extraction.
But, now I once again, have some OPAL to polish-up.......!
After having up-graded my vibe technics, advanced my polishing methods and finally photo with confidence.....the following represents what I have previously photo'd/posted of (my & wife's)small collection from back then.....we've given most of it away......:
As common "honey" Opal.........the 1st photo submerged reflects, it's bound/layered/imbedded by very hard and layered Basalt & Andesite.......the trick was trying to find a method to "shine" both (Opal/Basalt) without losing to much Opal volume......I managed it.....very painstaking, but cab quality, if I was capable. The other pic's are dry results........that Basalt shines like glass.....lol.....the Andesite/Ryolite reflect through the silicon/quartz mineral that leeched during it's long compression formation.
I can now lay these to rest......and start all over again on a new batch.......it will take time for sure....!
A few years back, while the bug was still poking us, we made quite a few trips out to the Cady's, Black Hill, Opal Mtn., and Lavic Sidling....Each, on separate occasions, within a days trip to the mid-lower half of the Mojave/Barstow influence........I've posted a few of those previous trips/collections here at RTH.
So, Pat, Mike, Terry and Ann went on an Opal quest to Mojave's Opal Mountain, last week (hit Calico and the obvious purse string tugs)........our directions, coordinates and be prepared's in hand.......they knew up-front, not to expect anything "precious" or of the variety you pay for or need muscle to extract in Nevada........But having seen (and own), that, of which we have shared, sorted, grinded and polished.............just the trip experience and actually placing in hand........was enough motivation. I should mention that Ann is a jeweler with a serious Turquoise fetish.....lol
We (Wife & I) have sorted through what they have brought back........Yep, now the fun really begins.......lol......However, these folks are not laid back dirt pokers.....they get dirty and down.....lol
Anyway, there was a level of disappointment to their excursion.......travelers beware. The location is a 4x4 need more than halfway through the journey, It did not require that 3yrs ago.......but lack of road maintenance and the BLM only paying attention to hazards that delay emergency ground response, are priority now. Their Jeep Grand Cherokee is now no longer a virgin.....no worse for wear.....lol
Traversing the valley between Opal Mtn. and the Black Mtn. Wilderness was an adventure for them......they were able to spend some time scouting Inscription Canyon and still make it to the base of Opal Mtn. in a day........Unfortunately, the roads that lead to the overhanging OPAL cliffs were " hike your ass-up" condition.......From personal experience, those cliffs are all that is left to the public...given more than Basalt, Andesite, Ryolite tailings that require careful extraction.
But, now I once again, have some OPAL to polish-up.......!
After having up-graded my vibe technics, advanced my polishing methods and finally photo with confidence.....the following represents what I have previously photo'd/posted of (my & wife's)small collection from back then.....we've given most of it away......:
As common "honey" Opal.........the 1st photo submerged reflects, it's bound/layered/imbedded by very hard and layered Basalt & Andesite.......the trick was trying to find a method to "shine" both (Opal/Basalt) without losing to much Opal volume......I managed it.....very painstaking, but cab quality, if I was capable. The other pic's are dry results........that Basalt shines like glass.....lol.....the Andesite/Ryolite reflect through the silicon/quartz mineral that leeched during it's long compression formation.
I can now lay these to rest......and start all over again on a new batch.......it will take time for sure....!
