Where to find opal in the US
Updated . Sources are at the end of the page.
Most of the world’s precious opal comes from Australia, but the best-known place to dig it yourself in the US is Nevada’s Virgin Valley, home of the black fire opal, the state’s precious gemstone. Digging there means paying a fee at one of the private mines, which run from spring to fall.
- Best-known US field
- Virgin Valley, Humboldt County, Nevada
- Dig your own
- Royal Peacock, Bonanza and Rainbow Ridge fee mines
- 2026 season
- Over; 2027 dates not yet published
- Refuge land around them
- Surface collecting by hand, up to 7 pounds a day
What opal is
Nevada’s geological survey describes opal as silica with water in it, generally without a definite crystal structure, usually deposited near the surface by hot water. Precious opal shows a play of color because its tiny silica spheres are the same size and stacked in a regular grid that splits white light into colors; common opal has an irregular structure and no play of color. The USGS calls precious opal the best known and fire opal, with a red, orange or brownish-red body color, the second most important. It also warns that opal is brittle, heat-sensitive and scratches easily, and some kinds break down as they lose water.
Where opal is found in the US
- Virgin Valley, Nevada: precious opal was first found here in 1905 or 1906. It mostly replaces wood or conifer cones, and also fills voids in clay, with body colors from deep black to colorless.
- Elsewhere in Nevada: the Calico Mountains south of Virgin Valley and an area near Gabbs in Nye County.
- Spencer, Idaho: a privately owned mine where precious opal forms thin layers inside common opal in gas cavities of a volcanic flow.
- Opal Butte, Oregon: in Morrow County, opal occurs inside thundereggs in clay-altered perlite; commercial mining began in 1988.
- Arizona and Louisiana: two commercial operations in Arizona produce blue precious opal, and Louisiana opal cements sandstone and quartzite.
These locations come from a 1995 USGS publication; check the current status of any mine before you plan a trip.
Dig your own in Virgin Valley
Three mines near Denio, Nevada, ran public fee digging in 2026. All three have closed for the season, and 2027 dates and prices are not yet published. Prices are per person per day.
| Mine | 2026 season | Price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Peacock Opal Mine | May 1 – Oct 18, 2026; 8 am–4 pm daily | Tailings $85; bank $210 (includes tailings) | You keep all you find. No mechanical tools; hard hats required. Cabins, RV park and tent camping. |
| Bonanza Opal Mines | Weekends, Memorial Day to Labor Day, plus the holiday Mondays; 8 am–4 pm | $75 a day, $50 a half day | Bring your own tools or rent them. Rock club members and groups of 5+ get $10 off. |
| Rainbow Ridge Opal Mine | May 1 – Sep 27, 2026; 8 am–4 pm, closed Wed and Thu | Tailings $100; virgin ground load $900 for up to 3 adults | Virgin ground by phone reservation only. No camping at the mine. |
- Remote: Rainbow Ridge says the nearest fuel is at Denio Junction, 32 miles away, and the nearest hospital about 100 miles away in Lakeview, Oregon. Roads can become impassable in rain.
- Kids: discounts differ by mine; at Royal Peacock children under 12 may not dig in the bank.
Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge
- By hand, from the surface: the refuge’s rules allow rock collecting by hand from the surface only.
- Limit: up to seven pounds of rock per day for personal use.
- No digging or tools, and no arrowheads, stone tools or other artifacts.
- Camping: up to 14 days within any 30-day period, in designated campgrounds.
- Ask first: the fee mines run under their own rules; confirm anything else with the refuge.
Nevada’s state gemstones
Nevada law designates the Virgin Valley black fire opal as the official state precious gemstone and Nevada turquoise as the official state semiprecious gemstone. See Nevada turquoise.
Virgin Valley opal is prone to crazing, a network of very fine cracks, which makes it better for display than for jewelry, according to the USGS.
See opal spots
The Capyhound app will keep the mines, the refuge rules and the route on your phone, even with no signal.
Questions
Where are opals found?
Australia supplies about 95% of the world’s precious opal, and small amounts come from Mexico, Brazil and the United States. In the US, the USGS names Virgin Valley in Nevada, Spencer in Idaho and Opal Butte in Oregon, plus operations in Arizona and Louisiana.
Where can I dig for opal myself in the US?
In Nevada’s Virgin Valley, three mines ran public fee digging in 2026: Royal Peacock, Bonanza and Rainbow Ridge. All three have closed for the 2026 season, and 2027 dates are not yet published.
How much does it cost to dig opal in Virgin Valley?
In 2026, per person per day: Royal Peacock $85 for tailings or $210 for the bank; Bonanza $75, or $50 for a half day; Rainbow Ridge $100 for tailings, or $900 for a virgin ground load for up to 3 adults. Children’s discounts vary by mine.
Can I collect opal on the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge?
The refuge’s rules allow rock collecting by hand from the surface only, up to seven pounds per day for personal use. Digging and tools are not allowed. Confirm with the refuge before you go.
What is the difference between precious and common opal?
Precious opal shows a play of color, because its tiny silica spheres are the same size and stacked in a regular grid. Common opal has no play of color, because its structure is irregular.
What is Nevada’s state gemstone?
Nevada law names the Virgin Valley black fire opal as the official state precious gemstone, and Nevada turquoise as the state semiprecious gemstone.
Why does Virgin Valley opal crack?
The USGS says it is prone to crazing, a network of very fine cracks, which makes it better suited to display than to jewelry.
