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LAST UPDATED 2020 UNDER REVISION

The Virgin Valley area contains a barely scratched precious opal reserve and resource, and is part of a 68,000 acre area set aside for entry under the general mining laws.  The opal-bearing areas are spread out over a large area, but the precious opal occurrences are smaller isolated deposits within the region.  Common opal is just that,  "common," and can be found throughout the area, along with petrified wood, agate, and obsidian.  Most precious opal producing ground is covered by valid mining claims.  Very few of the nearly 200 claims in the Valley actually produce precious opal.  There are five patented mine groups in the mining district.  Virgin Valley is considered to be the premiere source of precious opal in the United States (Jones, 2004, p.14).  The most productive mines to date have been the famous Royal Peacock, Virgin Opal (Bonanza), and Rainbow Ridge Mines (USGS, 1984, p.6).  Virgin Valley is located in the isolated extreme northwestern corner of the State of Nevada in Humboldt County, within the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge.  The closest town is Denio (NV) about 32 miles to the northeast (paved road).  Lakeview (OR) is 95 miles northwest (paved road), and Winnemucca (NV) is about 120 miles southeast (paved road).  Virgin Valley can also be accessed from Cedarville (CA), 56 miles away, during summer months by gravel road (not recommended unless experienced with this area).  The closest gas is available in Fields, Oregon (See LINKS, BELOW).  The average high desert mining season is from May until November, but the area is sometimes accessible year-round, weather permitting.  

Virgin Valley precious opals are considered to be the brightest and most colorful opals in the world, and on many occasions, have been found in remarkably large pieces.  The world's record-size precious opal weighed 130 pounds and was found in the Northern Lights Mine (fee dig) of the Royal Peacock Mine group in Virgin Valley.  However, Virgin Valley opals have also gained the notorious reputation for cracking or crazing and being unstable for gems.  It is true that the majority of opal found in Virgin Valley is not suitable for cutting or polishing.  Rough stones are best placed in liquid-filled display domes which make breathtaking display specimens.  Nothing can compare to a precious crystal black opal specimen from Virgin Valley, but few stand up to the test of time as gemstones. The exception to the rule is silicified precious wood opal, the best known type is "Conk" Wood Opal or precious opalized wood.  The hard material is very stable.  This is not to say that Australian opals don't crack, as a good percent does; however, the Virgin Valley field is known for producing more unstable opal than probably any other field in the world.  The closest opal in appearance to Virgin Valley opal is the newwer Ethiopian Opal from Welo region.  As specimens in glass filled domes, there are no comparisons to the color and "fire" of good Virgin Valley Opal.     I would say that the vast majority of opal from Virgin Valley should be classified as specimen material, although stones have survived as gems (but the question is for how long).  One example is the famous Robeling Black Opal from the Rainbow Ridge Mine in Virgin Valley.  It was discovered in 1917 and remained stable for many years, and considered to be one of the world's most valuable and greatest of opals, however, some time later it began to crack and craze while on display in the Smithsonian in the 1940's or 1950's.  Now the stone's surface is covered with these fractures.  It is still a beautiful specimen, and STILL one of the world's most famous and valuable opals.  I've seen opal specimens from the valley sell for very high prices, both wet and dry.  The most stable material from my experience is from the Royal Peacock and Bonanza Mines, while opal from Rainbow Ridge crazes pretty quickly and all opal dug from the wet bank in the valley should be put in water immediately, whereas dry opal from dry bank or tailings may remain stable for cutting.  You never know.  It's one of the great thrills of the gem and mineral world.

Despite the fact that most of the opal from Virgin Valley is plagued with the demonstrated instability, many diggers have been coming to Virgin Valley for years and even decades to dig the beautiful opal found within the hard clay zones and deposits there.  Rarely, promising claims are offered for sale and proven claims are "quickly snapped up by a hopeful digger" (Turley, 1987, p. 50).  Many claim owners do not even work their claims, or only do so on a hobby basis, or hold onto the deposits as an investment while only performing the minimally required annual labor.  There is much potential for the Virgin Valley deposits as has been demonstrated by several producing mines that have been operated successfully for years and even decades.  Fee-digging operations bring in the majority of  local business, followed by the sale of  "gem" and specimen material locally and at gem and mineral shows. Everyone is always interested in digging in a "new" productive mine which is opened to the public.  In recent years, several other well-known claims and producing mines in Virgin Valley (the Royal Peacock and Bonanza Opal Mines) have been featured on the Travel Channel's "Cash & Treasures" TV program.  Claims have been sold anywhere from $500 to well over $100k each and generally you get what you pay for.  I've sold UNpatented opal claims in the valley from $2k all the way up to almost $100k each, all of them were worth alot more than they sold for.  If 5+ brightness scale precious opal is showing IN THE BANK on a fresh cut on the claim, its an easy $100k+ claim, and if there's black opal, substantially more.  Precious Opal in solid hard petrified wood is the holy grail of the valley. Remember, the Bonanza's Buffer claims were valued in the mid 1990s as being worth several million dollars.  Not everyone in Virgin Valley is honest or can show you, let alone explain, the legal decisions and laws affecting your claim.  I can and will.  I've been doing it for DECADES and that is why some people don't like me in the valley.  If you're interested in a getting a good opal claim in Virgin Valley, CONTACT US.  I guarantee your satisfaction with any Opal claim I have for sale in the Virgin Valley of Nevada.

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If you are considering the lease or purchase of an opal mining claim for sale in Virgin Valley, Nevada, you should READ THIS INFORMATION FIRST! (CLICK HERE FOR LINK).

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