How to Treasure Hunt for Opals
Once you have seen the multi-colored flash of light that is the heart of an opal, you are likely to be hooked on the beauty of these stones forever. Composed of hydrated silica, gemstone opals have many avid followers. Although there are many types of opals, not all are viewed as gemstones. The main types that are prized for their beauty and inner fire are fire opal, black opal, white opal, boulder opal and crystal opal.
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Things You'll Need
- Safety glasses or other face/eye protection device
- Good gloves (leather work gloves recommended)
- Pick and shovel
- Water spray bottle, filled
- Small flashlight
- Bucket
Instructions
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Choose an opal mine in a location that appeals to you. Opals are found all over the world, so there may very well be a mine within a reasonable distance of your home or chosen vacation site. In the United States most opals come from Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Louisiana and Oregon. All known opal mines are claimed, so if you want to treasure hunt for these beautiful stones you will need to go to an existing mine to do so. When choosing, you should consider accessibility as well as distance, as not all mines are accessible year-round, and not all are readily accessible by car unless you have a 4-wheel-drive vehicle.
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Pick your mine and be prepared to pay for your opal treasure hunt. The cost will vary depending on where you choose to hunt and the types of opals to be found there. Most mines charge anywhere from $40 per day up to $200 or more. In some cases you are paying only for the right to dig and keep what you find. There are often limits on how much you can keep. In other cases you will find transportation and digging equipment is included in the cost, or that these things are available for an extra fee. Be sure to ask.
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Rough opal, partially polished. Search for your opals when you get to the mining site. At some mines you will need to dig for them with a shovel and pick. At other locations you only need to rake together a pile of rock. Once you have some rocks collected, begin sifting through them looking for stones which may be opals. Gloves will help protect your hands. Rough opals look the same as ordinary rocks when you first see them, and it may take quite a few tries before you find an opal.
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Opal still on stone backing. Find an interesting rock and use a small hammer to chip away out the outside layer. Wear your eye protection for any chipping that you do. Spray water on the chipped area of the stone to wash away any dirt that may be there. Hold the stone in the sunlight or use your flashlight to examine it. Look for the sparkle of inner fire. When you see the shine, you have found your treasure. Place it in your bucket and begin searching for the next one.
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Tips & Warnings
At some mines you can save money by searching through the mining tailings, or bits and pieces, for a reduced price. Also, at many mines children--usually younger than 12--can dig for free if with a paid adult.
Opal mining is often done in the hot sun. Be sure to protect yourself from the heat and to drink plenty of water. A hat or an umbrella may come in handy. Also, the rock can be sharp, so you might want to bring a cushion to sit or kneel on while you hunt. When chipping, bits of rock can fly back in your face. Be sure to wear eye protection.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Precious Mexican Supreme Opal image by Mexgems from Fotolia.com opal image by Stephanie Bandmann from Fotolia.com Mexican Cantera Opal image by Mexgems from Fotolia.com
