Also, remember, if you do find good opal, that you have to sell it. Virgin Valley opal, though often very beautiful, has a history of crazing when it drys out after it has been mined and does not have a ready market. The rule of thumb is that only 10% will not craze and can be cut for jewelry. That said, good specimens in water has value as collector's item. Still, you have to find a buyer, which can be problematic.
That said, years ago, on one of my trips to the Royal Peacock, I met a father and son team who were digging from Bend, Oregon who had a business selling jewelry set with triplets made from Virgin Valley opal. They were somewhat stablized and strengthed by the quartz top and black bottom.
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