I found this remarkable video via Reddit tonight and am once again blown away by the sorts of breathtakingly beautiful and mysterious treasures this planet keeps offering up to modern-day explorers who go out hunting for such things. That was the case with "Freda" at the
Royal Peacock Opal Mine in Virgin Valley, Nevada, a famous American opal-hunting region in
Humboldt County in northwest Nevada.
I have wanted to hunt opalized wood in that region for a number of years running but that will have to wait at least one more year it appears.
Note: opal hunters visiting Virgin Valley, NV, have on occasion discovered opalized logs partly petrified and partly of fully-organic albeit dessicated wood.
Who says Virgin Valley can not be worked? All opal cracks and BIG opals have to have cracks. The proof of gem stability is shown in all the gemstones cut from these mines. We COULD break these up for little perfect stones, but how can you destroy something that looks like this for jewelry????
ReplyDeleteThis is really pretty but I will let you have it. No fighting necessary! lol..Allison
ReplyDeleteHey Kim,
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think the value is on that piece? I know somebody *nudge* *nudge* *wink* *wink* who found a 180ct piece of black opal June 29th. Glen Hodson of Rainbow Ridge believes it to be one of the 3 best black opals to EVER come out of that mine.
Dean,
DeleteWow, really? Good for you and congratulations! I'm green with envy!
Kimmer