rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Jul 20, 2009 14:06:40 GMT -5
It's like any number of other legal pastimes in the great state of Nevada, you pay to play, and playing carries no guaranty of winning.
Sometimes a $500 bucketload will yield magnificent treasures like this, other times a customer might only find a couple of small chips.
Likewise with tailings- you pay less because they have usually already been gone through, so your odds are reduced, but still- sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.
I've played and lost at the Royal Peacock, but I know sometime I'll be going back again, once you get the opal bug it's hard to get rid of...
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,466
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Post by Sabre52 on Jul 20, 2009 15:16:12 GMT -5
My buddy, Tom swears by the expensive virgin ground scoops. He's tried the tailings and I've talked to several others who have too. Guess your chance of finding a good dry opal might be a bit better in the tailings as the virgin stuff is definitely wet opal and very prone to fracturing if not properly dried out before working. If your looking for that spectacular specimen find though, the expensive scoops seem to be the way to go......Mel
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Gem'n I
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 980
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Post by Gem'n I on Jul 21, 2009 16:59:29 GMT -5
Sure is pretty to look at...$500 bucks a pop separates the rockhounds from the richhounds...like was said you pays your money and you take your chances! I for one would be really disappointed with dropping 5 large and coming up with squat....thanks for sharing Steve!! We can all dream of hitting the motherload some day!!! Vegas is full of those folks!!!
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Jul 21, 2009 18:46:20 GMT -5
My guess is that a skilled, knowledgeable, and properly equipped team (I think they only allow like 2 people to work a load) should be able to find their money's worth working through one of those Rainbow Ridge loads most of the time, but like I said I don't think any of the fee digs give you much in the way of assurance that you will positively get any real ROI.
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Post by frane on Jul 21, 2009 20:22:55 GMT -5
:drool: Breath, :drool: breath, I just don't know what to say! I am in shock! Fran
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Post by catmandewe on Jul 22, 2009 22:52:37 GMT -5
Wow, that sure is some nice stuff!! That Big limb is spectacular!!
My cousin found one of those pine cones in the open in a small pile of dirt that had fallen out of one of the scoops as they were taking it over to dump it.
Have a great day....................Tony
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Jul 23, 2009 13:04:40 GMT -5
Wow those are some awesome finds. Makes me want to go!!
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Post by BAZ on Jul 23, 2009 19:31:27 GMT -5
I've always wanted to go to Rainbow Ridge. Can those specimens in the water be stabilized?
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Post by Bejewelme on Jul 23, 2009 21:47:55 GMT -5
Holy crap Steve, that first pic was awesome, but oh my word, as I scrolled I was speechless!!!!! Wow how incredible, your friends must have known how to dig and spot the good stuff! What an honor to see them up close and hold them! I would have been scared to touch them, they way I have been breaking cabs, LOL
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Jul 23, 2009 23:09:29 GMT -5
Thanks Mel and Pete for answering so many of the questions. Baz...Most of the Opal that is found in Nevada has a high content of water making it hard to dry it out. I guess it can be done though. The mine owner thought the big piece could be dried out without destroying it. I don't know how one can tell...but I don't think my Freinds are gonna take a chance on it. Amber...believe me...I was very scared holding it. I would have felt awfully BAD had I dropped it. Thanks for all the comments! Steve
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Post by Tonyterner on Jul 24, 2009 21:39:30 GMT -5
I just don't know what to say. They are so amazing.
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MikeS
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since January 2009
Posts: 1,081
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Post by MikeS on Jul 28, 2009 23:26:32 GMT -5
those are amazing!
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Post by rockchalk on Aug 1, 2009 6:50:51 GMT -5
NO NO NO NO NO NO. I looked again and I saw my character flaws fully exposed. Envy, greed. I have to learn to let go!!! ..... I would pay money to see more pictures.
Scott
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Post by LCARS on Aug 2, 2009 13:05:57 GMT -5
I had to pick my jaw up off the floor but then I looked at the pics again and down it went again...
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rockerfellerz
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2008
Posts: 120
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Post by rockerfellerz on Aug 3, 2009 11:43:32 GMT -5
Now that's what I'd call the "Big Leagues"! Simply outstanding! Drool,drool,drool...
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swordfishmining
off to a rocking start
Member since November 2009
Posts: 22
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Post by swordfishmining on Nov 29, 2009 18:09:26 GMT -5
Nice cobble...luck of the bank does not play favorites.
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rockhound97058
freely admits to licking rocks
Thundereggs - Oregons Official State Rock!
Member since January 2006
Posts: 760
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Post by rockhound97058 on Nov 29, 2009 22:21:02 GMT -5
A few months ago I had a couple ladies stop in my shop... they had just gotten back from rainbow ridge. They also bought one of these bucket loads and I was amazed at what they scored. They had 2 medium flat rate boxes stuffed full of vials and jars of opal and then they had a one gallon ice cream bucket with a single piece which was a couple pounds clear jelly with outstanding fire!
I wish the opal mined I own here in Oregon had finds like this!
Great pics!
Jason
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Post by Toad on Nov 30, 2009 8:49:26 GMT -5
Beautiful (and then some...)
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