rainbow ridge opal mine

There are a number of opal mines in Denio. We live in Connecticut and I knew this might be our only chance to dig opals there. I was so happy that we chose Rainbow Ridge! The way it is done there is that you can pick in the tailing piles or pay for a loader bucket of fresh material out of the mine wall. We opted for the bucketload and we were not disappointed. We found some really excellent opals! Other mines have digging in the mine wall. That might have worked for me but, I know my wife and daughter would not have lasted all day digging in a mine wall. This way we had a great day breaking up material at our own pace. I know that I was able to look through a LOT of material and the one load lasted all day with the 3 of us working at it. I realize that somedays are good and some are not so what I want to stress is that Glen and his wife(the owners) were really great. Glen came out and explained how to look for the opals and how to use the tools which he hand made for the purpose. He came back around to check on us and answer questions. At the end of the day Glen and his wife worked with us to clean up our opals, talk about our finds and set us up with display domes for the best ones. I was really happy with the whole day and highly recommend Rainbow Ridge Opal Mine!!

Who says opal mining isn't for children? We take the kids because they have better eyesight than us grownups!Truthfully, we started going because of a treasure hunting show on cable TV. Our son said he wanted a treasure hunting family vacation. Opal mining wasn't too far from where we live and going through tailings is easy for kids to find treasure with minimal labor and small hand tools. Our first experience at another mine was disappointing. We got schooled at the free campground nearby. Go to Rainbow Ridge next time.We did. We found good opal! Then we did again. And again. Each time improving our stay and camping experiences. The owners of Rainbow Ridge are personable friendly people who will take the time to teach you what you need to know and then let you have at it. They will lend you tools for free but we usually take our own. We schedule a virgin load which is kind of expensive but we've always had fine luck, whether load or tailings. We just had to up the thrill of the find after a while. Now I have jars full of pretty opal decorating my home.This is no luxury vacation though. Prepare to get dirty. Prepare to get hot. Prepare to take a refreshing dunk in the warm springs at the campground. Then prepare to get cold sleeping at night. Prepare to be way off the grid. If you take your time preparing, doing your research on the internet, you won't fair too badly. The free campground nearby is always clean and well kept. Located here are the cleanest pit toilets you will ever see. The warm springs host a large shower house and let me tell you, at the end of a hot day a warm shower is about the best feeling on the planet. Camping spots include fire rings and tables, but no hookups. We take a tent with extra bedding as it gets cold at night and sometimes a little more nippy at dewpoint. Waking in sweats and jackets quickly turns into light clothing and lots of sunscreen. Bring in a lot of water. Drink it. Dehydration here is no joke because it's a long drive to a doctor. We stayed at the motel in Denio Junction once. If you must have a real bed it's fine. No TV. Bring a book or cards. We spent our evening BSing at the bar there. You can get burgers and ice and gas if you need it.

A great experience if you don't mind the drive. Denio jct Nevada is a gas/food/motel, don't let it fool you. The food motel and gas are the only show in town but worthy of stopping and staying. There are only 6 rooms at the motel and no TV but if you wanted luxury your in the wrong place. This is for rockhounds! Rainbow ridge is the largest claim at Virgin valley and will give you the opal experience of a lifetime. You should find opal, you may not find precious opal. Remember if precious opal was that easy to find, it wouldn't be open to collecting. Also as you will be told, Virgin valley opal is unstable. THAT MEANS IT WILL CRACK! First! go the rainbow ridge website and read it all along with any other Virgin Valley info then be prepared for the trip. From Winnemucca Nv to Denio Jct there is nothing! Fill up in Winnemucca and be ready for the LONG drive. The hosts at the mine will show you everything you need to know and provide you with tools. They will guide you and suggest a collecting package. The "tailings pile" is a first choice. My wife and I were there the first week of June and it was hot 90's but it can get alot hotter and there is no shade, only what you bring. A large beach umbrelo at a minimum. And plenty drinking water. As to the experience it should be great as long as you aren't going to get rich. It's not for children but it is rockhounds heaven. And if your a rockhound continue to Plush Oregon and collect Sunstones. We had a great time, found several great pieces with lots of fire. Not to mention the opalized wood.