Treasure Hunting for Opals
Opals have been considered a magical precious stone for thousands of years. It is said to help the wearer’s psychic powers and to have better and more vivid dreams. Modern Witches and Pagans especially look for black opals, said to enhance any magic spell. But not are opals rich in myth and magic, they are also really nice to look at. In many ways, they are similar to pearls, but not nearly so expensive.
Opal
Although you can buy opals from jewelers, geological shows and “nature” stores and their website equivalents, it’s far more fun and magical to find the opal yourself. This is one of the many reasons why opal treasure hunting is becoming a popular activity, especially in Nevada and Oregon, where Bonanza Opal Mines and the Juniper Ridge Fire Opal Mines are.
Opal Rough
Finders Keepers
Bonanza Opal Mines have “finders’ keepers” days where the general public is allowed to come in, pay a daily fee of less than $50 and keep any and all opals that they find. You are not allowed to dig just anywhere in the mines, however. Some areas are reserved only for shareholders. But hunting for opals is still good in all of the other places of the mines.
Depending on where you choose to hunt for opal, the tools you should bring include Small Hand Rake, Shovel, Pick Axe, Hammer, Bucket, Gloves and Knee pads. You can use the hard rock mining technique which entails use of a pick axe, shovels, and a hammer or your could just rake through the tailing which are bulldozed piles of material removed from the mining area. Many of these mines are in extraordinarily remote areas so be prepared to camp and bring all necessary food, water and mining supplies.
Opal Armband
Modern day opal treasure hunters don’t need to travel a huge distance to and from the mines when they need to relax after an invigorating day searching. They are allowed to camp in certain places in Bonanza Opal Mines. There are also shower facilities and a naturally heated pond. Camping and use of the showers is included in your daily fee.
If you like the thrill of the hunt and the beauty of the shifting colors of opals, you may be interested to know that sometimes opportunities come where you can be a Bonanza Opal Mine shareholder. When you become one of only 100 shareholders, then you are allowed to dig in the “bank” – the places thought to be richest in opals. If you are interesting in a share, you need to contact Bonanza Opal Mines by email or phone.
Juniper Ridge Fire Opal Mine is another mine that allows the general public to search for opals on a fee bases. The digging fee is $200 per person per day which gives you the right to dig for opals at the mine area and you are allowed to fill a one gallon bucket with raw gemstones. The mine operators at the Juniper Ridge Fire Opal Mine believe that any reasonably health and active adult should be able to fill a one gallon bucked within a single day. If you have more than one gallon bucket worth of material you can pay an additional fee or simply keep only the highest grade of opals to take home.
Before booking your opal treasure hunting trip, be sure to contact your local treasure hunting club to find information on what tools to bring. You can find out the contact information of your local club through the Federation of Metal Detectors and Archeologist Clubs, Inc. Often, your local Wal-Mart will have a display table or pamphlets from your local treasure hunting club available. Sometimes, there even will be club members manning the table so you can ask questions about opal treasure hunting.
Happy treasure hunting.
About the Author
David Cowley has created numerous articles on Treasure Hunting. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to Treasure Hunting. Visit Treasure Hunting
MAC vs Black Opal
|
|
Amazing NATURAL SOLID BLACK OPAL GEM 15.58ct gemstone for Collectors (MICK’S) $16,500.00 |
|
|
AUSTRALIAN Silver RING 6 BLACK OPAL BOULDER natural ESTATE OLD BIG STERLING 925 $39.99 |
|
|
4.43Ct RAREST LIGHTNING RIDGE BLACK FIRE SOLID OPAL !! $4.99 |
|
|
LARGE SOLID SILVER BLACK AND FIERY OPAL CLUSTER EARRINGS $10.36 |
|
|
Sterling silver, GEM BLACK opal necklace jewellery .925 NEW JN7 $279.00 |
|
|
Lovely Set Black Opal&Crystal Necklace $0.35 |
|
|
▇11CARAT▇SOLID BLACK OPAL▇LIGHTNING RIDGE▇ AUSTRALIA▇ $119.00 |
|
|
▇36 CARAT▇SOLID BLACK OPAL▇LIGHTNING RIDGE▇ AUSTRALIA▇ $749.00 |
|
|
Natural Solid Black Opal Stone For Ring & Pendant 0.28cts 7x3x2mm $7.22 |
|
|
Lovely black&white opal with bowknot Earrings $0.99 |
|
|
Titanium 4-Prong Gem only for 18g Threadless Components $22.32 |
|
|
SOLID SILVER FIERY & BLACK OPAL CLUSTER PENDANT & 16″ SILVER CHAIN $7.52 |
|
|
Lovely Set Black Opal&Crystal Necklace $0.45 |
|
|
Black freshwater pearl and Opal necklace earring-set $0.10 |
|
|
~ PRETTY SOLID SILVER BLACK OPAL SOLITAIRE PENDANT & 16″ CHAIN ~ $7.52 |
|
|
~ SOLID SILVER BLACK OPAL AND CLEAR STONE TRILOGY RING SIZE L ~ $2.35 |
|
|
SOLID SILVER BLACK FIERY OPAL & CLEAR STONE CLUSTER RING – W $18.53 |
|
|
0.67ct Lightning Ridge Australian Solid Black Opal $29.99 |
|
|
1.10ct Lightning Ridge Australian Solid Black Opal $60.00 |
|
|
Natural Black Triplet Opal Pendant 5.830 cts Solid Silver Set Opal Size10x8 mm $16.28 |
|
|
Elegant jewelry opal and black jade necklace & earring set W776 $0.01 |
|
|
NATURAL SOLID BLUE-GREEN BLACK OPAL GEM 2.50ct GEMSTONE !!!(MICK’S) $340.00 |
|
|
~~ VINTAGE DECO DESIGN SOLID SILVER BLACK OPAL SOLITAIRE RING – M ~~ $5.06 |
|
|
Australia Opal Inlay Black jade Bangle bracelet #1 $380.00 |
|
|
DENDRITIC OPAL+BLACK ONYX SILVER PENDANT 2 3/4″; S2193 $4.13 |
|
|
Unisex Contemporary Black Opal & Sterling Ring sz 10.5 $85.00 |
|
|
LARGE SOLID SILVER BLACK OPAL & CLEAR STONE CLUSTER EARRINGS $3.48 |
|
|
Very Large 11.24ct Lightining Ridge Australian Black Opal BN Blue Gemstone $488.00 |
|
|
Yellow Opal Black Motley Hematite Beads Pendant Necklace Gem 17″ F090 $3.29 |
|
|
ENGLISH SOLID SILVER STUNNING FIERY BLACK OPAL CLUSTER RING – O $1.56 |
|
|
CERTIFIED GOLD 5.83ct BLACK OPAL 2.10ct DIAMOND RING $4,800.00 |
|
|
12×10 oval Black Opal Triplets $300.00 |
|
|
Natural Australian Black Opal in 14k white gold pendant $3,700.00 |
|
|
EGL CERTIFIED 11.68ct BLACK OPAL 4.03ct DIAMOND BROOCH $6,400.00 |
|
|
Australian Black Fire Opal Pendant 18k Yellow Gold GP $15.72 |
|
|
Black Hills Gold Opal Leaves Pendant with necklace $100.00 |
|
|
2.27ct BLACK OPAL LIGHTNING RIDGE fromAUSTRALIA 15.11×8.18×2.89mmOVAL W/APPRASAL $310.00 |
|
|
Vintage Chandelier Earring White Opal/Black Crystals $25.40 |
|
|
harlequin black opal + diamond 14K ring floral opale $1,295.00 |
|
|
SOLID SILVER FIERY & BLACK OPAL CLUSTER PENDANT & 16″ SILVER CHAIN $4.38 |
|
|
Best 5.49 carat Ultra-Black Opal Green Aqua Royal-Blue $449.97 |
|
|
Rare black 6-7mm pearl necklace Opal pendant earring $20.54 |
|
|
Black Fire Lab Opal .925 Sterling Silver Ring Sizes 5-9 $14.99 |
|
|
SP33295 FACE CARVED BLACK & FIRE OPAL 925 STERLING SILVER PENDANT JEWELRY $7.99 |
|
|
ENGLISH SOLID SILVER STUNNING BLACK & FIERY OPAL CLUSTER RING – P $3.22 |
|
|
Moen Black Opal Accnt Kit for A4560BP $5.99 |
|
|
BLACK OPAL Creme to Powder Foundation $14.36 |
|
|
BLACK OPAL Creme to Powder Foundation $14.36 |
|
|
BLACK OPAL Creme to Powder Foundation $7.16 |
|
|
BLACK OPAL Creme to Powder Foundation $7.16 |
|
|
BLACK OPAL Creme to Powder Foundation $7.16 |
|
|
3.50ct LT RIDGE BLACK OPAL RING SOLID 14K GOLD SIZE 7 $1,189.00 |
|
|
Black Onyx and Opal Sterling Silver Bracelet $45.00 |
|
|
14K 585 Pink Rose Gold Black Opal Sapphire Brooch Pin $475.00 |
|
|
~ PRETTY SOLID SILVER BLACK OPAL SOLITAIRE PENDANT & 16″ CHAIN ~ $1.56 |
|
|
LADIES 14K GOLD DIAMOND BLACK OPAL BUTTERFLY BAND RING $239.00 |
|
|
Black Opal + Diamonds 14K Ring Red Blue birthstone love $899.50 |
|
|
ENGLISH SOLID SILVER STUNNING BLACK & FIERY OPAL CLUSTER RING – L $3.48 |
|
|
~ BLACK SEAM OPAL~ 21.7 grams rough MINTABIE Australia REDUCED$$ $41.00 |
|
|
Black Opal Illuminating Lip Shine- Lustrous Red * NEW * $2.99 |
|
|
Kangaroo Brooch with Australian Black Opal 18k WGP $24.99 |
|
|
LARGE SOLID SILVER BLACK OPAL & CLEAR STONE CLUSTER EARRINGS $5.06 |
|
|
New Design Men`s Wedding Party Gift Noble Square Black Opal Cufflinks Cuff Links $6.99 |
|
|
New Dress Men`s Wedding Party Gift Noble Square Black Opal Cufflinks Cuff Links $4.99 |
|
|
~ BLACK OPAL NOBBIES ~ ROUGH 80.4 grams Lightning Ridge Australia $28.00 |
|
|
~ BLACK OPAL NOBBIES ~ ROUGH 95.9 grams Lightning Ridge Australia $42.00 |
|
|
Contemporary Sterling Siver 950 Button Black Opal Earrings Studs 7.5 grams $175.00 |
|
|
Med / Lg ~ BLACK OPAL ROUGH ~ Nobbies / Lightning Ridge Australia / 82.3 grams $40.00 |
|
|
Beauty 3 rows black genuine pearl green opal pendant necklace earring set s056 $0.01 |
|
|
Sz 8/Q Arty Cat’s Eye Cocktail Ring Chunky Armor Cross Knuckle Opal Gold Tone $8.99 |
|
|
5 x Silver Core Black Cat’s Eye Opal Gemstone Beads Fit Charm Bracelet G132 $0.99 |
|
|
LARGE SOLID SILVER BLACK OPAL & CLEAR STONE CLUSTER EARRINGS $8.69 |
|
|
~~ SUPERB VINTAGE SOLID SILVER BLACK OPAL SOLITAIRE RING – L ~~ $8.06 |
|
|
AUSTRALIAN Black FIRE Opal Ring,Triplet, DEEP & DARK – Turquoise, Blue, Purple $31.50 |
|
|
Natural Black Triplet Opal Pendant 12.788cts Opal Size 12x10mm Solid Silver Set $4.63 |
|
|
~~ VINTAGE DECO DESIGN SOLID SILVER TRIPLET BLACK OPAL SOLITAIRE RING – O ~~ $2.13 |
|
|
ENGLISH SOLID SILVER STUNNING BLACK & FIERY OPAL CLUSTER RING – O $2.31 |
|
|
Piassaba ring with white and semi black opal, Handmade $98.99 |
|
|
2.00ct Lightining Ridge Australian Black Opal Gem Oval $690.00 |
|
|
~~Beautiful solid silver 45mm black opal dropper earrings~~ $30.02 |
|
|
Black Motley Hematite Heart Orange Opal Beads Necklace Bracelet SET M174 $4.99 |
|
|
Peruvian Opal & Black Onyx Necklace $137.00 |
|
|
ENGLISH SOLID SILVER STUNNING BLACK & FIERY OPAL CLUSTER RING – O $3.48 |
|
|
ENGLISH SOLID SILVER STUNNING BLACK & FIERY OPAL CLUSTER RING – P $10.30 |
|
|
3.0 ct. Brilliant Gem Black OPAL PENDANT 18kt GOLD $522.50 |
|
|
~~ VINTAGE DECO DESIGN SOLID SILVER BLACK OPAL SOLITAIRE RING – P ~~ $1.96 |
|
|
Australian Black Fire Opal Necklace 18K White Gold GP $12.95 |
|
|
SILVER 925 BLACK FIRE OPAL DROPPER EARRING & 16″ NECKLACE SET – VERY PRETTY! $1.90 |
|
|
“1″ BLACK OPAL TRUE TONE Vit-Rich LIPSTICK $4.60 |
|
|
“1″ BLACK OPAL TRUE TONE Vit-Rich LIPSTICK $4.60 |
|
|
“1″ BLACK OPAL TRUE TONE Vit-Rich LIPSTICK $4.60 |
|
|
“1″ BLACK OPAL TRUE TONE Vit-Rich LIPSTICK $4.60 |
|
|
“1″ BLACK OPAL TRUE TONE Vit-Rich LIPSTICK $4.60 |
|
|
“1″ BLACK OPAL TRUE TONE Vit-Rich LIPSTICK $4.60 |
|
|
Silver 925 real 40mm black fiery opal dropper pendant – very pretty $9.01 |
|
|
DAINTY SOLID SILVER BLACK OPAL FLOWER RING SIZE O $1.56 |
|
|
MENS 14K YELLOW GOLD CUSTOM TRIPLET BLACK OPAL HEAVY THICK FINE RING 15.7g 12mm $829.00 |
|
|
SOLID SILVER DOUBLE BLACK OPAL CLUSTER RING SIZE O $1.56 |
|
|
ENGLISH SOLID SILVER STUNNING FIERY BLACK OPAL CLUSTER RING – L $1.56 |
|
|
~ SOLID SILVER BLACK OPAL CLUSTER RING SIZE O ~ $1.56 |