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 only 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.

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.

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.

Modern day opal treasure hunters don