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VIRGIN VALLEY OPALS
Virgin Valley lies in northwest Nevada, the Bonanza mine at the bottom
of this image is exactly one mile high, in a sagebrush desert within the
Sheldon Wild Antelope Range.
Most of these opals came from here, mined by myself and my
friends, and cut by myself.
Most formed as fossils in a 27 million year old layer, of pine,
redwood, and oak forests, which grew by a vast lake. An adjacent
volcano regularly blew the forest apart, and buried its remains in
mineral-rich ash, creating a perfect environment for opals to form.
Many of these finished stones still show tree bark on the back, or
even fossil roots inside. To see some intact, click on wood opal.
Only a small percentage of the opals found here are stable enough for
cutting solid gems suitable for jewelry. They will remain a rare and
valuable investment. Every year much more mountain must be
removed to follow the layer deeper inside, increasing expense.
(Click on pictures for more veiws)
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Slightly honey crystal with fabulous POC! 15.5x12.2mm,
2.7ct @220/ct VC19: $595
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Dark crystal with lively, bright fire. 10.3x6.2mm,
0.7ct @200/ct, VC21 $139
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Black/dark brown fancy cut, lovely colors. 12.2x9.5, 2.1ct @300/ct,
VC23: $629
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Golden color with good POC. 10.1x7.8mm,
1.2ct @125/ct,
VC25: $149
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Most experts describe this one as "conk", but I know it to be columnar fires in potch, -most interesting! 27x13mm, 4.1ct VC28 $399
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A weak contra luz bead 16x16mm, 27ct
VC30 $89 |
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I cut this one creatively to save every bit I could. The photos capture the colors okay, but not the brightness of this one. [or they show the brightness in a dim room!]
14x8mm,
1.8ct@300/ct
VC34 $539
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Butterscotch colored, wonderful pattern of lively POC! 15.5x8.5mm, 1.8ct
@250/ct, VC20: $449
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Golden base, bright fire.14x9, 2.3ct@170/ct, VC22: $389
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My "candy corn", very bright and interesting. 12x7mm, 0.9ct
@200, VC24: $179
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Lots of red and green fires in this one. 9.1x6.5mm, 1.1ct @150/ct, VC26: $165
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Smokey, crystal clear, mostly contra-luz, rich with fire.
28x11mm, 15.4ct
VC29 $2,695
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Sparkly and bright,
Reminiscent of Australian, 21x9mm 4.1ct VC32 $249
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Bright orange, yellow, green, -very lively! 13x9mm, 1.4ct@150/ct
VC33 $210
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A bright crystal Opal with fossil roots inside.
13x6mm,
2.2ct @$250/ct VC35 $550
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All of these were cut from dry rough, and have been kept dry for
months to years, are completely natural, solid, and without treatment.
Order
I'm happy to help you design and create jewelry for any of these stones, or your own.
Photo is of a Moonset in Virgin Valley.
Shares in this mine are available, please inquire.
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Ordering
Jewelry
Gold
Rings Size: -4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9
Puzzle Rings | Earrings
Pendants: Petite , Medium , Large
Silver
Plain Rings
Puzzle Rings
Stone Set Rings Size: 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13+
Larger Stones Set Rings Size 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9
Earrings
Pendants: 1 , 2 , Boulder Opal , Crystals , Facetted Stones , Large , Opal , Turquoise , Beads
Bracelets: Basic , Custom: Small , Medium , Large
Gems
Opals: USA , Mexican Australian: White , Cheap Opals , Black, Boulder
Beads | Cats Eyes | Stars | Citrine | Tourmaline
Raw Stones
Crystals 1 , Aquamarine, Collectors , Enhydros , Small
Cutting Rough | Fossils | Wood Opal
Info
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Site, Photos, Original Designs, and Text are copyrighted, all Rights reserved.
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