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All the United States Nevada Denio Royal Peacock Black Fire Opal Mine

Royal Peacock Black Fire Opal Mine

Mine your own precious stones.

Denio, Nevada

Added By
Lew Blank
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Black Fire Opal from the Virgin Valley   James St. John / CC BY-SA 2.0
Black Fire Opal from the Virgin Valley   James St. John / CC BY-SA 2.0
Digging for tailings   Courtesy of Royal Peacock
Bank Digging   Courtesy of Royal Peacock
  hannahstephensprofessional / Atlas Obscura User
  causeiwander / Atlas Obscura User
Opal jewelry from Royal Peacock   Courtesy of Royal Peacock
Walt Wilson and the Gingko Log, one of the largest opals ever found   Courtesy of Royal Peacock
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About

In a remote region of northwestern Nevada, 100 miles away from the nearest grocery store, there lies an isolated RV park and a sign proclaiming “MINE: Visitors Register At Office.” 

For those wanting to spend a day in the life of an opal prospector from the early 1900s, Royal Peacock Opal Mine in Nevada’s opal-rich desert landscape provides the tools, the guidance, and the vast opal reserves to make it happen. A site of gemstone discovery since 1912, the Royal Peacock Opal Mine is best known for the black fire opal, a dark stone flecked with vivid color that is the official gemstone of Nevada.

These brilliantly-hued opals can be mined by amateurs and experts alike from May 15th to October 15th of every year at Royal Peacock. For those willing to strain and sweat, bank digging is the optimal way to mine opal. While bank diggers have to swing picks and shovel heaps of dirt, the work is more likely to pay off with large gem returns. Those looking for a less backbreaking experience will likely opt for tailing digging, which involves raking through the upturned grounds with a keen eye. 

If you’re lucky enough to find an opal on your mining excursion, you can bring it home—finders keepers! Although some may go home empty-handed, some may strike it big. Royal Peacock has yielded black fire opals of over 130 pounds.

Related Tags

Geology Minerals Mines Gems And Jewels Wild West Prospectors

Community Contributors

Added By

lewblank

Edited By

hana, hannahstephensprofessional, causeiwander

  • hana
  • hannahstephensprofessional
  • causeiwander

Published

February 20, 2017

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Sources
  • http://royalpeacock.com/fee-digging
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzDOQgyY8BI
  • http://www.latimes.com/travel/california/la-tr-d-nevada-escape-20140727-story.html
  • http://travelnevada.com/discover/26225/royal-peacock-mining-company
Royal Peacock Black Fire Opal Mine
10 Virgin Valley Rd
Denio, Nevada, 89404
United States
41.786053, -119.100232
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge

Gerlach, Nevada

miles away

Thousand Creek Gorge

Winnemucca, Nevada

miles away

Blue Lake

Denio, Nevada

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Denio

Denio

Nevada

Places 2

Nearby Places

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge

Gerlach, Nevada

miles away

Thousand Creek Gorge

Winnemucca, Nevada

miles away

Blue Lake

Denio, Nevada

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Denio

Denio

Nevada

Places 2

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